The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: For repairmen out there.

Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-01-23 15:57

If you have a threaded pillar, you can fit it into a blind hole drilled into the joint by heating the pillar as it goes in. Once in it will be secure.

But you will also need to fit the opposing pillar deep into the wood under the F/C lever rod (which can have it's dangers as there's not much room for error as the drill or threaded part could enter the bore) and file/mill it flush with the others. Then mill out a slot in the body for the key barrel to run in as well as drilling through the pillar head, facing the inside of the pillar (which will also cut a channel in the pillar to make clearance for the key barrel), tapping the thread for the screw and facing off the opposing threaded pillar completely flat and parallel with the outside pillar.

What make of clarinet is it? On Leblancs they have all the LH lever pillars the same height, though others (eg. older Selmers and Buffets) have a shorter pillar for the LH Ab/Eb lever. Though it's up to you how you want it to look, but best to see what different makers do to see what you like the look of, and more importantly, what you feel works best.

But you needn't add another pillar - you could run the Ab/Eb lever on the same steel as one of the other levers as Selmer do on their Signature clarinets, so all you'll need to do is turn down the diameter of the outer end of the key barrel (or remove it completely if it's a good fit on the steel) and fit the LH Ab/Eb key barrel either as the top joint trill keys or on seperate barrels between the pillars, but having two short key barrels can make the LH levers wobble.

Then silver solder a tab on the Ab/Eb key cup to connect with the end of the Ab/Eb lever. A throat A touch (teardrop-shaped) makes an ideal touchpiece for the LH Ab/Eb touch (when it runs in between the LH E/B and F#/C# levers), though if it's like an oboe d'amore LH F key (and as seen on current Buffets) the shape of the touch tapers off smoothly to meet the narrower width of the lever arm, kinda like the shape of the other LH levers, but with a symmetrical touch.

http://howarth.uk.com/pic.aspx?pic=./wo/Howcl0.jpg&pid=35062
http://howarth.uk.com/pic.aspx?pic=./wo/HowarthDAXLConCoco.jpg&pid=566750

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics