 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: blazian
Date: 2007-06-22 22:44
Does anybody have experience with taking apart the middle of low clarinets (eg. one-piece altos, basses, or contras)? I want to take apart my plastic Vito and I know it can be done, but how? Mine is either stuck or permanently cemented together. As far as I know, it hasn't been broken there either. The clamp ring isn't stuck. If I could get it apart, that would be great, because I bent the rod for all three right hand plateau keys (like an idiot, I might add) trying to repad those three keys. Plus the aligning for both joints is partially crooked (the wrong way with your hands making a slight heart shape), so it proves that it already has been taken apart and gives me another thing I want to fix.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-06-23 01:31
Undo the three small screws in the three projecting lugs anchoring the socket ring to the top joint, and slightly (and I mean only slightly) rock the joints in all directions while pulling them apart.
Chances are the socket ring may come off the socket and stay on the top joint, but be sure to line it up correctly if you fit it on more permantly to the socket.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2007-06-23 01:37
I'm sure Chris' advice is correct, but I was hoping he would say "take it to a skillful tech, there is a good possibility of doing permanent damage". Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-06-23 09:22
Though it's probably best to take it to a skillful tech, there is a good possibility of doing permanent damage.
I've seen a Vito bass held together with a Jubilee clip at the middle tenon where the socket ring has come off and taken the to part of the socket with it.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-06-23 11:30
Ah, those Brit words. They're "Hose Clamps" to most of us chaps.
Bob Draznik
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Author: blazian
Date: 2007-06-23 20:24
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Thanks guys! I got it apart without breaking it. Actually, it was an accident. I was giving up and just twisting the bell on to make shure that I didn't mess any keys up, and I felt something like a pop. At first, I was just staring at the middle joint hoping for the best. I noticed that the whole thing was twisted, but not just falling off like a broken tenon would. And so there we have it. Two complete pieces. I noticed that it didnt have the groove for cork to be placed in. This means that it's really supposed to be a single body instrument then? It doesn't really matter unless you have a two piece case.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-06-23 20:49
I assumed it was a Vito bass you had. As it's an alto it's much easier to handle!
You can always convert it into a two piece by having a tenon cork slot cut into the tenon (if you have access to a lathe), but leave a ring of plastic no less than 3mm in width at either end for stability (the cork slot being cut to a depth of around 1mm maximum in between). There's nothing worse than a wobbly middle tenon on any instrument.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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