Author: cuscoclarinet
Date: 2007-01-26 21:49
Thanks guys, but...
All levers, pillars, screw rods and such are straight and tight. I've also checked to see if any of the linkages are binding, no dice. I've also set the various pivots in deep and out far, thus moving the keys a bit in each direction. That had no effect until I got to a point where the pivots were backed out WAY too far. This is the reason I'm mistified! If it were something that simple I'd be done with it!
I guess I should be a bit more specific, as you are correct Ken, not all the keys are entirely locked. I should have said "cludged" instead.
SO, as specific as I can get without taking video:
The F/C key is almost completely locked, it has about .5mm of action at the pad. Similar action and locking on the F#/C# key. The E/B key has a ridiculous amount of play, as does the E/B lever. The F#/C# lever has considerable play UNTIL the come in contact with the keys, then it has no movement at all. The F/C lever does not come in contact with the F/C key until fully depressed, which means it's doing nothing, as this key is the one that's the most locked up. The Ab/Eb key seems to be fine.
Oh, yes, I have checked to see if in my pre-coffee stupor I didn't set the springs to the wrong sides of the keys or some other really dumb thing. That is also not the issue.
Granted, when I took this horn apart I did think "gee that group of keys and linkages is awfully dense" even more so that usual, but at that time the action was fine on everything. However, I do think the extreme density of this grouping is a design flaw of this particular horn. Sure, it looks cool to have all that metal there, but I'd prefer that the instrument work before it looks cool.
As it's been close to six hours of shop time on these four keys, I'm about ready to throw the towel in with the bathwater. That should give you all some idea of how confusing this whole mess is to me.
SO, I now anxiously await round two of suggestions, and head back to my bench to set the pads on a a really cool horn someone handed to me to do up. It looks like a cross between a Bb clari and a taragato!
Thanks again...
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The Clarinet BBoard
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