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Easy way to move a thumb rest back?

Author: stevensfo
Date: 2006-11-20 13:05

I bought an old clarinet from Ebay over a year ago. It's a 1975 full Boehm Buffet (low Eb, LH Eb etc) and has a most amazing deep resonating tone. However, due to pressure of work, it was consigned to the corner of the room and put on the legendary list of 'things to do on a rainy day'.

Occasionally I played it, but hated the keys. Something felt strange. The lower RH pinkie keys were difficult to use.

Then last week it hit me. The thumb rest is much lower down towards the end than on a normal clarinet, as though it was made (or already adjusted) for very small hands.

Is there a way of adjusting the thumbrest without moving it, i.e. something that would clip on the TR allowing my thumb to support the instrument an inch higher up?

Preferably not one of those huge hideous Kooiman thingies.

Thanks,

Steve

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Re: Easy way to move a thumb rest back?

Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-11-20 13:20

I dont "see" any easy way. How much higher do you wish it to be ? I took my old "winged" Selmer A to a fine repairer, he raised it about 1/2 inch. I momentarily considered drilling new holes myself, but good sense prevailed, didn't want to pierce the bore !! Luck, Don

Thanx, Mark, Don

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Re: Easy way to move a thumb rest back?

Author: Ed
Date: 2006-11-20 13:25

One possible option to try is one I just did for a young student about a week ago. This student came in to a lesson and was complaining about the angle of his 1st finger RH and that he was having discomfort in holding the instrument. As I looked at it, I realized that the thumbrest was perhaps a bit low and if it could be moved up a bit it would help. I took out my screwdriver, removed the screws and turned it upside down. This raised his thumb placement. He found it solved the problem.

The only problems would be that your thumb now has a bit of metal under it rather than resting on the wood. It also needs a little cushion on the rest as it is curved in the wrong direction and may feel odd. I use a little piece of one of those pencil grippers and that solves the problem.

It is an easy fix and can be tried and put back if it doesn't work. Other options could be finding an adjustable thumbrest or just having a repair tech drill new holes and move the old one up.

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Re: Easy way to move a thumb rest back?

Author: D
Date: 2006-11-21 06:37

as the move is so far, what about getting an entirely new thumb rest put on, leaving the old one in place. then either could be removed and the holes filled at a later date with no one any the wiser.

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