The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ivangreen
Date: 2011-08-29 16:11
Hello,
I've just recieved old Martin Freres Versailles (ebay purchase), after a little cleaning up I checked it for leaks - there are a few leaks at the lower joint and at the upper joint.
However, I tried to play, and it plays only from C4 to B flat4.
There is no usual sound when i play at lower joint, only some squeak higher than C6. The same thing with duodecim key, only high squeak.
What could be the reason? If it's because of leaks, would repadding solve the problem? And the question out of theme, how to liquidate this wicked smell of oldness?
Looking forward to your advices.
Respectfully, Ivan.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-08-29 17:01
Could be the pad at the top of the bottom section (the one that closes when you finger B-flat) is not closing when you push the rings down under the right hand fingers, perhaps because the rings are too low, the pad is too high or the bridge key is not adjusted correctly. If that's the main problem, it's an easy adjustment, regardless of which of the three causes is involved. The other leaks are still going to cause trouble, even if not as dramatic.
Does "duodecim" mean "twelfth" in English? Are you saying the left hand fingerings (C4-Bb4) don't work when you open the register (twelfth) key? If that's the case some other leak may be at work or the register key itself may be dirty or not opening enough.
Karl
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-08-30 08:44
Most likely pad replacement first then see if that works. If not try one of your other mouthpieces. Sometimes its possible that the height if the keys are out of adjustment. It's really hard to know without seeing the horn.
I just read KDK's notes and he's dead on. Small tiny leaks can make the horn unplayable.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2011-09-04 10:43)
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Author: ivangreen
Date: 2011-08-30 15:50
Karl, Bob, thank you for the advices. I will message the result after repadding.
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Author: ivangreen
Date: 2011-09-03 16:49
Attachment: 03092011497.jpg (241k)
Attachment: 03092011500.jpg (249k)
Attachment: 03092011501.jpg (266k)
Attachment: 03092011502.jpg (257k)
I figured out that g#/c# key pad was out of its place, so it was only one leak at the upper joint that made clarinet totally unplayable.
I attached several photos, that ones which marked (1) are for the "playable" condition where I displaced the screw from g#/c# key so key shifted and the leak was removed.
Photos marked (2) are for the "unplayable" condition where screw is on its place. As you can see, pad does not cover the hole at (2), and it barely covers the hole at (1).
What would you advise to make the key pad seal properly?
Respectfully, Ivan.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2011-09-03 17:27
It's possible the key broke and was resoldered but got shortened in the process.
The origiinal break could have been due to an attempt to "straighten" the key or a bad original solder job. Just grasping at straws here. A replacement key could resolve the problem or a repair by an expert Tech.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-09-04 10:45
Looking closey at the darkness of the pads you have some leaks. Replace all of the pads. They are probably 15 to 20 years old.
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