 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: uh oh!
Date: 2000-03-21 23:20
I've read post about the nickle wearing off, but is the metal under the nickle supposed to be dark brownish?
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Author: J. Butler
Date: 2000-03-22 02:33
It depends on what kind of metal was used to make the keys. Some of the cheaper clarinet keys are made of brass and plated. Others are drop forged nickel-silver and plated either nickel or silver. I suspect that you have the brass variety and yes, it will turn a reddish brown before dulling in color a bit.
J. Butler
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Author: uh oh!
Date: 2000-03-22 05:00
Whatever they may be, are they still *strong* keys? Supposedly, this Yamaha clarinet should be of the durable type even though it's a cheaper student one. I'm just worried I might have had some keys changed on me and they may not be AS unbendable as I had thought.
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Author: Katherine Pincock
Date: 2000-03-22 12:36
Don't worry; as long as the only problem is the plating coming off, they're fine. It happens to most clarinets that get used extensively--several of my keys have worn spots where you can see the copper underneath, and some of the professionals I've seen have clarinets with almost entirely brown keys! HOpe this helps.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-03-22 13:40
uh oh! wrote:
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Whatever they may be, are they still *strong* keys? Supposedly, this Yamaha clarinet should be of the durable type even though it's a cheaper student one. I'm just worried I might have had some keys changed on me and they may not be AS unbendable as I had thought.
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Yes they are still strong keys. Most metals will develop some sort of tarnish and this can be buffed off if you so desire. The layer of tarnish is so thin that it will not affect the strength of the keys.
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Author: James
Date: 2000-03-22 14:33
You can have the keys replated if you want to go to that expense. Most players do not do that, however.
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-03-23 05:02
I wouldn't worry about it, as its only cosmetic. They probably used a soft "show" chrome as it is easier to buff out and has deeper, more beautiful luster. The burnt brown is most likely a copper base coat for the chrome as it will adhere to this better than some other metals.
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Author: Donn
Date: 2000-03-24 14:21
Platers very often will copper plate over base metal first, as it is very easy to buff to a slick finish, then will plate over that with either a flash nickel or chromium, very thin, only a few millionths thick. You often hear the term "triple chrome plating" which in reality is copper, flash nickel, and then chromium.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-03-24 18:20
Well said, Donn, plating technique began with auto bumpers in the dark ages 1930-40's , when I was in college! Yes, flash copper [over steel], bright nickel followed by chromium was the best affordable combination to GM. I did some metallo-photographic studies as a sort of senior research. If keys are nickel-silver, they may show "graying" prob. due to sulfur blackening of the copper in the alloy. I had a bass cl where the plating was worn to a "red" copper which would darken with S exposure. Cr and Ni are quite resistant to atmospheric "filming" usually. Dont know where all this is leading, just my thots. Don
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