 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: William
Date: 2011-06-09 16:01
During our last Capitol City Band rehearsal, my bass clarinet (Buffet Prestige low C) suddenly developed major problem with the upper register notes, B4 through A5 (just above the staff). Sometimes they would play effortlessly, but other times, not speak clearly and often with a sqweek. It was like a pad was loose and occassionally not closing all the way. However, after a thorough exam, no pad or linkage problems could be seen--yet, the problem persisted. To make a much longer story a bit shorter, I finally noticed that some moisture had accumulated on my neck octave pad and by blowing it away, problem solved!!! Apparantly, the moisture was causing a small leakage and the sluggish "off & on" response.
Just wondering how many other bass clarinetists have experianced this problem and what you do to avoid it during performances/rehearsals.
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2011-06-09 16:44
I try to swab out the neck often and keep the moisture from getting in the body of the instrument. I don't think I have ever encountered your problem. I did have a pad drop out once in a live performance! That caused problems!
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
World Class Clarinet Mouthpieces
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-06-09 21:26
I don't know how the Buffet register mechanism works, but on many/most basses with an automatic double register mechanism, one or both of the register vents is opened by a weak spring after being released by the lifting of a lever which is itself normally closed by a stronger spring. This sort of opposing-springs design, also seen on most saxophone G# keys, is prone to having the pad stick shut due to moisture, crud, or plain old Murphy's Law. Always carry a piece of stiff paper or card stock to slide between the two register pads and their toneholes to periodically clean the gunk off.
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Author: davetrow
Date: 2011-06-10 00:48
I had what David is talking about happen in the middle of a concert, and I didn't know the mechanism well enough to figure out what was happening until the intermission (I've only been playing bass clarinet for two years). Fortunately, all the music in the first half was predominantly in the chalumeau register, and once I realized what was happening, I was able to clear up the problem with a bit of microsuede.
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-06-10 14:45
Although I play a Selmer I assume it's the same type of action. Unless I have the neck in the correct placement, within about 1/8 of an inch, the automatic double octave keys won't open and close perfectly. A weak spring or a wet pad can certainly cause that too happen as well. I constantly swab out my neck piece, and the whole horn for that matter, I play wet. Keep it well greased so it comes off without tearing the corks. ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2011-06-10 15:19
>> Unless I have the neck in the correct placement, within about 1/8 of an inch, the automatic double octave keys won't open and close perfectly. <<
On some models the neck key part of the linkage is designed to be exactly parallel to the body curve, so the neck can be put in any direction and the mechanism would work just the same. On some model with a worse design it can be fixed or improved (fixing some models can be a major repair i.e. replacing a part so improving might be preferred for that reason).
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Author: William
Date: 2011-06-10 15:35
Thanks for your postings. FWIW, my bass clarinet (Buffet Prestige 1193-2 low C) worked perfectly during our first concert last evening. For whatever reason, the moisture problem I described above did not reoccure, even though a lot accumulateds in the neck and needs frequent drainage between numbers. Which makes me wonder, have any of you pro bassers out there had a spit valve installed (ala trumpets) to make disassembly of the neck unnecessary?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-06-10 16:40
The older model Prestige basses had a water key on the socket/tuning slide section of the crook which was a good idea. I've usually removed just the socket/tuning slide section so I can tip the water out instead of taking the whole crook and mouthpiece off as that's quicker.
Due to the position of the upper speaker vent tube, water is bound to condense or collect in there as it does on Bb/A clarinets. I wonder if any makers have considered positioning the crook vent on the top as is usually done on saxes? Maybe they had but found it was a nightmare keeping the crook key closed considering how it balances as it'll be top heavy.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-06-10 21:14
William, I just tilt my instrument and dump moisture out of the mouthpiece end frequently during rehearsals or concerts, without disassembling or removing anything. No spit valve needed.
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Author: gsurosey
Date: 2011-06-10 22:28
David Spiegelthal wrote:
> This sort of opposing-springs design, also seen on most saxophone G#
> keys, is prone to having the pad stick shut due to moisture, crud, or plain
> old Murphy's Law. Always carry a piece of stiff paper or card stock to slide
> between the two register pads and their toneholes to periodically clean the
> gunk off.
I have this problem constantly on alto sax. I keep a piece of manila envelope between the pad and tone hole when the sax is in it's case. I had hoped that would help, but the darn thing still sticks all the time.
----------
Rachel
Clarinet Stash:
Bb/A: Buffet R13
Eb: Bundy
Bass: Royal Global Max
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