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 bass clarinet problem
Author: jpham 
Date:   2011-06-28 22:08

I've been recently having problems with a brand new leblanc l60 that i borrowed from my high school. For some reason, the second tone hole on the upper joint remains closed. I am sure this is not an assembly problem. This seems to be a recurring problem with the key refusing to go up. i would appreciate it if the board could give me a diagnosis for this problem. Thanks.

I am an avid reader of this board and though this is my first post, i thank the board for all the great advise you have given me

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 Re: bass clarinet problem
Author: Paul Miller 
Date:   2011-06-29 00:31

Take some microsuede and clean the pad and the tone hole thoroughly. Sometimes a sticky residue can build up on a pad and it tends to stay shut. Also increasing the spring tension will help.

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 Re: bass clarinet problem
Author: TJTG 
Date:   2011-06-29 02:44

Try loosening the tension in the screw which that key relies on.

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 Re: bass clarinet problem
Author: Grabnerwg 
Date:   2011-06-29 04:37

If those suggestions don't work, look to see if any a spring has come unhooked.

Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
Buffet Bass Clarinets

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 Re: bass clarinet problem
Author: Ed Palanker 
Date:   2011-06-29 18:51

Good answers above. It could also be that one of the posts is slightly bent therefore putting too much pressure on the rod making it unable to open. Probably a weak spring though. ESP eddiesclarinet.com

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 Re: bass clarinet problem
Author: RAB 
Date:   2011-06-30 13:03

Try backing the screw that runs through the key off 1/4 turn. Sometimes if it is overtightened it will cause the key to bind.

Hope this helps

Rodney Berry
Repair Dept
Muncy Winds Music Company
Boone, N.C.

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 Re: bass clarinet problem
Author: jpham 
Date:   2011-07-01 00:24

thank you or all your responses!

I've checked to make sure the key was not sticking and to make sure the spring was not unhooked. Ive also tried adjusting the screws. the key however, will not spring back as it should. To be clear, the key is stuck to the tone hole but mearly refuses to spring ack into its place. Is this a problem with the springs?

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 Re: bass clarinet problem
Author: tictactux 2017
Date:   2011-07-01 00:47

Now if you help that key come loose off its tone hole, would it spring back, or would it rather stay (or sit) on the tone hole and ever so softly whisper "nice try"?
If it doesn't spring back (or bumps forth again even if you showed it the way) then it's the spring that's on vacation or permanent leave.

--
Ben

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 Re: bass clarinet problem
Author: Ed Palanker 
Date:   2011-07-01 03:41

Go to a repair tech. ESP

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 Re: bass clarinet problem
Author: CuriousClarinet 
Date:   2011-07-01 17:14

Now, this probably isn't relevant but I have had somewhat similar issues with my Buffet 1180 bass clarinet...

Assuming that the Leblanc model in question is wooden (I think it is but I'm not 100% sure) It could be an issue with humidity levels changing. I sometimes live at my mom's house and sometimes at my dad's... and the humidity levels are quite different between the two. After a while of taking my bass clarinet back and forth it started ... not working. =p At first, the key that your right hand ring finger rests on was extremely sluggish, sometimes not raising back up at all unless I pushed it up with my finger. I took it to a repair tech and was told that the wood had probably some how expanded/contracted and the metal post holding the key up was now too tight. He tried to fix it and the note was slightly easier to press for a day or so and then it just started getting worse again. Later the low Eb key started doing the same thing. My dad got me two case humidifiers (I think they're actually for guitars) and I've kept the humidity in the case constant w/ them. I haven't had an issue with the keys since. (Although I did take the humidifiers out once for a week and it went right back to having the same issue.)

Like I said, might be a completely different problem but it just sounded kind of familiar. I think I agree with Ed, though. You probably know a lot more about how the instrument works then me, but being just a high school student I'm really reluctant to mess with screws and adjustments. Knowing my luck, I would just make it worse.



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