 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: davidsampson
Date: 2008-10-20 22:19
The flat spring on the bottom trill key of my selmer bass has worn out. The spring itself can be removed by a little screw. Can I fix this myself, and if so, where would I get a replacement spring?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-10-20 23:46
How do you mean 'worn out'? Has it lost its tension or is it broken? It may be possible to bend it (put a curve in it) to give it more strength.
If that doesn't work (or if it snaps), contact your local woodwind specialist as they should be able to find you the right gauge and length spring. Keep the old spring so they can find a suitable match (or alter an existing one to fit).
You can replace it by removing the key, removing the old spring and replacing it with the new one, having bent it to form an arc like this ( and this should work. Replace the key with a drop of oil in the key barrel before putting the screw back in, and also a drop of oil on the spring saddle that's on the body of the clarinet.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: davidsampson
Date: 2008-10-21 00:03
Well, I thought it had just lost its tenson but when I looked at it closer, there was a crease in the metal (ie, its broken, just not in two piece yet.) Should I ask specifically for a spring for a selmer, or will any spring of similar dimensions work? Will the tension be the same? Also, I believe that the spring was bent to a certain shape in the first place, how would I do that?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-10-21 00:38
"Also, I believe that the spring was bent to a certain shape in the first place, how would I do that?"
Very carefully - you'll need round nosed pliers to make the compound bend in the spring, but any excessive force can snap the spring if you're not used to bending springs.
If in doubt, have your repairer do this for you - it shouldn't take more than 30 minutes of anyone's time to do this, provided you can get it done straight away. Make an appointment with your tech so it can be done then and there.
Provided the length and gauge of the new spring is the same as the original, the tension should be the same (though this depends on how much of a curve the spring has been given).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Geirskogul
Date: 2008-10-21 03:18
I had some come in my repair kit from musicmedic. Even those el-cheapo repair kits on the Auction-Site-that-Will-Not-Be-Named ususally have complete sets of flat springs.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-10-21 05:55
Yeah, but it's always good to be thorough.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2008-10-21 06:44
Sorry Chris, I didn't mean to imply anything. I will delete my post. Actually you are probably faster than me 
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2008-10-21 09:48
David, it is unlikely you can easily get a replacement original.
Technicians usually stock a range of thickness and lengths, and probably material. Possibly a choice of widths as well. Width can length can be reduced by grinding.
It is up to the technician to select a spring with suitable characteristics to do the job the best it can be done in the space available. For me this will sometimes require a bit of trial and error.
One very important factor is to bend the spring in such a way that not too much of its length is contacting the key at any time... only a couple of mm near the screw. If a long length contacts the key, then the effective length of the spring is shortened, which makes the spring effectively stiffer, which means that the key has a 'sluggish', resistant feel, because the force exerted by the spring increases over-much during the key's travel.
Changing a flat spring can sometimes get quite complicated.
Post Edited (2008-10-22 00:20)
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