 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: clarinet60
Date: 2010-05-07 13:43
A question for the techs - I'm a very experienced player and my 2002 R13 Prestige is very sharp (20 cents) on the long B in the upper register. I've tried several different Moennig barrels, Buffet barrels, etc, as well as several different mouthpieces with the same result. I try pulling out at the bell and the barrel, and it's still quite sharp. Any ideas on what may be causing this?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-05-07 13:56
It would be helpful to know if it was fine up until recently and then just started being sharp or a newly acquired sharp horn.
...................Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarinet60
Date: 2010-05-07 14:17
Paul,
I would say that it has been a long, gradual move towards sharpness. I've cleaned out the register key tube and oiled the bore regularly...thoughts?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2010-05-07 14:21
If the whole lower joint is somewhat "sharp", then you might also try pulling the middle joint. I need to do that on my Leblanc Concerto Bb. Also wondering, is the E3 sharp as well??
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-05-07 14:27
That sound BIZARRE !!!
I like it.
My suggetsion (although you may want to wait until you hear from Chris P.) would be to take off all the keys of the lower joint, cover the openings with some good tape (electical, plasitic, perhaps even duct) and then do a leak test....... both sucking on the end and blowing.
My guess is that there is a leak through the bore (probably toward the bottom) associated with were one of the posts is tapped in.
If this IS the case, all you'd need to do is remove the offending post, put in some super glue (preferably mixed in with a bit of fine sawdust...but not necessary) and screw the post back in.
I am assuming that you've done traditional leak tests/repadding already.
Of course there's a good chance I'm wrong.
.......................Paul Aviles
Post Edited (2010-05-07 14:28)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarinet60
Date: 2010-05-07 14:32
Thanks again Paul...I've checked for normal leaks, and it's as tight as a drum. I will try your test to check for leaks in and around the posts. I'm just concerned that the bore may have changed over the years to cause this???? The wood looks good and I've maintained it very carefully. I guess a trip to my local tech (Albert Alphin) is inevitable...Paul Aviles wrote:
> That sound BIZARRE !!!
>
> I like it.
>
>
> My suggetsion (although you may want to wait until you hear
> from Chris P.) would be to take off all the keys of the lower
> joint, cover the openings with some good tape (electical,
> plasitic, perhaps even duct) and then do a leak test.......
> both sucking on the end and blowing.
>
>
> My guess is that there is a leak through the bore (probably
> toward the bottom) associated with were one of the posts is
> tapped in.
>
> If this IS the case, all you'd need to do is remove the
> offending post, put in some super glue (preferably mixed in
> with a bit of fine sawdust...but not necessary) and screw the
> post back in.
>
>
> I am assuming that you've done traditional leak tests/repadding
> already.
>
>
> Of course there's a good chance I'm wrong.
>
>
>
>
> .......................Paul Aviles
>
>
> Post Edited (2010-05-07 14:28)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: RAB
Date: 2010-05-07 20:02
Have you had some work done recently on the instrument?
Has the height of the keys changed?
Check the vent tube to see if there is anything in it.
Try letting the thumb vent key only open half of what it is opening now and see if that helps.
Put a piece of paper under the bottom of the vent key where the thumb presses it down that will allow it to open a small amount.
Have you had other players try it to see if does the same thing for them?
Just a shot in the dark.
Rodney Berry
Repair Dept
Muncy Winds Music Company
Boone, N.C.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bassie
Date: 2010-05-09 11:49
How sharp is the low chalumeau 'E'?
If the 'E' is in tune or slightly sharp, pull the bell. I have to do this to tune my own instrument. This is slightly freaky because the clarion 'C', which one commonly tunes to, moves a smidgen as well. So I pull the bell to get the clarion 'B' in tune with the rest of the instrument, then tune at the barrel. I find a slightly flat 'E' far less of a handicap than a sharp 'B'.
This is also something I have noticed only in the last year. Perhaps the wood has slowly moved in some way, or my technique has changed. Mind you, 20c is a lot.
EDIT: Is it conceivable that the rest of the instrument is flat? I mean, hypothetically speaking, if you've had it repadded and the tech was a bit tight with all the clearances throughout the instrument, it might give the /impression/ that the long note (which is not affected by this operation) is sharp. Or is that just too far-fetched?
Post Edited (2010-05-09 17:13)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
