The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

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

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Hello All

Author: knotty
Date: 2009-09-14 15:11

My first post. Getting back to playing after a 20 year layoff, luckily I kept my clarinet. Been gaining interest in the repair end of clarinets in addition to playing so got a "for parts" Bundy clarinet from ebay and totally stripped it, polished the body with a plastic scratch remover, polished the keys and re-padded it. It's amazing how a grungy old, dirty clarinet has turned into a nice shiny looking instrument.

My dad left me with all sorts of machining tools (he was a machinist) so, probably have the tools to do many things in instrument repairing.

My question is the nature of "Resonite". Been unable to find info on searching. What glues will adhere well to it? Will Resonite melt with heat? (the Bundy has a chip on the bell tenon I'd like to fill) any precautions I should be aware of?

Thanks!
knotty

~ Musical Progress: None ~

Reply To Message

Re: Hello All

Author: Bassie
Date: 2009-09-16 18:03

Welcome!

(why no other replies?) :-)

Nice to have some latent tech-skills!

I always assumed Resonite was some sort of thermoset, and so would not melt... (I have a Bass in the stuff) but I stand to be corrected!

Anyone?

Reply To Message

Re: Hello All

Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2009-09-16 19:17

Resonite is the Selmer trade name for its moulded plastic material http://test.woodwind.org/Databases/Klarinet/1998/05/001255.txt. It's been around for a long time -- at least since the 1950s. The actual composition is probably a Selmer trade secret. There's been a fair amount of speculation about what it's made of http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=164337&t=164160, but as long as it's stable and tough (which it certainly is), it doesn't matter much.

Buffet plastic clarinets are made of ABS. The material starts out clear, and carbon black is added to make it black. http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=53160&t=53068.

Ken Shaw

Reply To Message

Re: Hello All

Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2009-09-16 20:36

>>The actual composition is probably a Selmer trade secret.>>

Oooh -- I'm imagining a science fictional scenario here...ground-up old reeds, broken music stands, dried-out cork grease, rotted pads, worn-out tenon corks, uncooperative third-chair clarinet players.... "Round about the cauldron go...."

Lots of come-back players here on the b-board, Knotty. Welcome to the motley crew.

Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.

Reply To Message

Re: Hello All

Author: FDF
Date: 2009-09-16 21:37

Aye, Lelia,
If it sounds a bit Errrieeee, .....

Reply To Message

Re: Hello All

Author: knotty
Date: 2009-09-16 22:45

Thanks for the welcome guys. Those are some great links Ken about Resonite, Ebonite. Working on clarinets is actually satisfying to do. Not really difficult but a bit tedious with the small screws. (don't drop one on the floor..LOL)

I'm really in a neophyte stage where everything is a learning experience. I just set up a small cloth buffing wheel for polishing the keys and it does a great job with white rouge compound.

I have more questions:

After polishing the keys should I put on wax or something to retard tarnishing again?

When repadding is done, do they generally take all the keys off? Some of those pads are really close to the body.

Thanks!
knotty

~ Musical Progress: None ~

Reply To Message

Re: Hello All

Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-09-16 23:00

Knotty,

re your chipped bell tenon - I've used automotive filler (some two-component stuff with fiberglass in it) for a badly chipped bell. Apply, let cure, sand, paint and spray-lacquer the thing and you can't tell it from an original part.

Then - polished keys are supposed to remain naked, as long as the plating is intact. I've used clear nail varnish on the throat Ab key where the plating was flaking off, with great results (and the occasional re-do every 6ish months, five minutes all in all)

And yes, keys go away for a repad. You may want to have enough legroom for that alcohol lamp, you may need to clean out the key cups, you may want to straigthen the keys and occasionally replace a bumper cork anyway. And while the keys are off, get a q-tip and clean the crud from inside the toneholes and check for chips in the tonehole beds.

The Bundy is a great and rewarding instrument for a first overhaul. If you break something, there are tons of other donor instruments in every repairer's rummage box. And if everything comes out the way it was planned, you'd have a fine outdoors or backup instrument.

Good luck, and welcome aboard.

--
Ben

Reply To Message

Avail. Forums | Threaded View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

The Clarinet Pages

For Sale
Put your ads for items you'd like to sell here. Free! Please, no more than two at a time - ads removed after two weeks.