 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tcullen
Date: 2010-09-15 01:59
Hello! This is rather urgent - I just realized I lost a screw on my clarinet (a Buffet circa 75), the one that connects the piece that goes over the left hand E/D keys to the main body of the clarinet (upper joint). It's a rather long screw, and makes one-finger B and E impossible to play without being incredibly out of tune. I've search online and can't find any place to buy replacement screws - anyone have any ideas? Much appreciated.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2010-09-15 03:46
go to any music store with a repair department.
any competent tech can make you a replacement.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2010-09-15 16:24
As Paul says, go to a music store with a good repair department or go to a good clarinet repair tech. If I understand you correctly, you have lost the threaded, pointed rod that goes through the tube for the top (E) ring on the upper joint. That took some doing because (unlike normal pivot screws) that is not inclined to come loose, and if it does come loose (which should be fairly obvious, like when the D ring falls off the upper joint) it's not inclined to fall out unnoticed. Unfortunately, (again unlike normal pivot screws) music stores (or even sources of repair parts like Ferree's tools) are not likely to have any in inventory -- and the age of your clarinet doesn't help.
Generally, I think there are three sources that the music store/repair tech may have access to: (1) a special order from Buffet which will probably take at least a few weeks to come in, (2) scavenge from junk parts -- it's possible the store/tech will have some odds and ends lying around for spare parts, particularly if the store/tech has been in business for a long time, (3) fabrication -- the repair tech makes a new rod from blank rod stock. A special order will likely be somewhat expensive, if Buffet can even fill it for a clarinet made around 1985. A spare part lying around will probably be the least expensive (so you might want to choose someone who's been in business for a long time) but it is also unlikely. Fabrication is probably the most likely result but be prepared for sticker shock. The repair tech will have to put a pivot point on the end of the rod and will then have to thread the rod above the pivot point. A good tech can do this but it will take time and you will probably have to pay the tech's hourly rate.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2010-09-16 09:33
I can't fathom oput which screw this is. (I don't know which is the E/D key!)
If it is a ROD screw (say at least 10 mm long, then an equipped technician can make one in say 10 minutes.
Jack mentioned a point at the end. This is unlikely to be the case, unless it is the highest ring key.
If it is a pivot POINT screw, then an equipped technician is almost certain to stock one. And in the mean time, you can improvise by screwing in the end of a sharpened kebab stick.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-09-16 11:08
Re the types of screws and how to replace them, Gordon gave good suggestion.
It's unclear which screw you lost, maybe you can clarify:
>> lost a screw on my clarinet, the one that connects the piece that goes over the left hand E/D keys to the main body of the clarinet <<
The only "piece"(?) I can think of that "goes over" the "E and D keys", as much as is possible to interpret those terms, is one of the trill keys, or possibly the throat A key (if by E key you mean the F# key).
>> It's a rather long screw, and makes one-finger B and E impossible to play without being incredibly out of tune. <<
By one-finger B and E, I imagine you mean the ones you play with the first finger and thumb? If the missing screw was the F# long rod with point end (the one Jack was talking about) then it would be an incredible coincidence if both keys this rod holds, the F# key and the D/A key, are somehow still in place enough to play the notes and all rest of the notes, but distorted enough in position to just change the intonation of the E/B. Just sounds too unlikely to happen.
Actually I can't think of any "rather long screw", that missing, where the main effect as a result is intonation problem on two notes. Usually it would cause keys to move and not seal or possibly fall off in some cases.
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Author: gsurosey
Date: 2010-09-18 22:01
I sent you an e-mail with a suggestion (long and convoluted; hence the e-mail).
Rachel
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Author: gsurosey
Date: 2010-09-20 17:55
The spare parts I have won't work (I don't think the screws I have are from a Buffet clarinet; they are larger than the ones in my R13's) . I'm sorry.
Rachel
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