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Slippery Nickel Plated Keys

Author: Bill
Date: 2000-12-20 22:25

I have a trial Leblanc Concerto with nickel plated keys. The other clarinets (Buffet Vintage & Yamaha SEV) I'm trialing, come with silver plated keys. I find the nickel plated keys slippery and slightly distracting. Will the slipperiness disappear with age &/or do players adjust over time??

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RE: Slippery Nickel Plated Keys

Author: Amanda Rose
Date: 2000-12-21 00:13

I have no real answer for you, but this is my experience. I played on an old Normany for a while. Anyway, it had nickel keys and during auditions and concerts I had to constant problem of sweaty hands slipping on the keys. Since I got my R13, I haven't had that problem. So, I'm all for silver keys, not only for beauty, but because they helped me. (My brother, the repair tech, agreed that silver is less slippery than nickel)

Amanda

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RE: Slippery Nickel Plated Keys

Author: mw
Date: 2000-12-21 00:20

I believe that silverplate v. nickleplate is a personal thing. Some like one, some like the other. Some complain about one, some complain about the other. Whats important is what works for you. I have no personal preference. I seem to play equally "me" on both metals. Happy Holidays. mw

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RE: Slippery Nickel Plated Keys

Author: Robert Small
Date: 2000-12-21 04:50

Silver keys definitely provide a better grip than nickel.

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RE: Slippery Nickel Plated Keys

Author: jbutler
Date: 2000-12-21 11:41

The older clarinets do not have plating at all and I really prefer this feel. They are easy to maintain if you don't have a lot of acid in your fingers. One doesn't have to worry about plating wear. They key rings will wear over time but only a little faster. I had a Buffet R-13 that I owned from 1974 until just this past year. The rings were worn due to use. They looked better after replating before the sale.

Later,

John

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RE: Slippery Nickel Plated Keys

Author: Bill
Date: 2000-12-22 20:58

I just got a trial Concerto with silver plated keys, and I find silver more comfortable than nickel. However, I was adjusting to the nickel.

Thanks to all.

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