 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: packrat
Date: 2012-04-26 17:35
I have several questions. I have an LL that I love but I've had some problems with the rings on the lower joint. I began to have problems with those notes speaking irregularly from time to time and it was very unpredictable. Then I noticed that the keys can move on the posts just a tiny bit but I wonder if that's enough to cause problems? I've tried to have it swedged twice but it doesn't seem to help long. Is there another fix and if so can it be done by my local person or should I send it off? I don't know if you can still get spare parts for these.
This clarinet is certainly worth the money and effort to fix. It's been regulated and sounds so nice usually. It's usually speaks so easily and clearly.
Thanks in advance
Becky Woodard
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-04-26 22:09
If the ring keys are loose between the pillars, either the screws can be screwed further into the pillars to take up the excess play as they don't have heads and can then be held in place with a drop of Loctite or similar thread locking agent on the screw thread when the screw has been removed. If they already have a hole drilled through the thread with a nylon filament fitted in it, then gently heating it up will melt the nylon so it expands a bit and then secures the screw once it's cooled down and screwed back in.
If the countersunk holes in the ends of the hinge rod are excessively worn causing excess play in all directions, they can be drilled out larger and then the holes filled in by soft soldering short nickel silver inserts (turned down from nickel silver rod) into them and then drilled and countersunk so they fit the point screws better (although it's best to pre-drill the inserts prior to fitting as the holes will be concentric and they won't pop out when the flux boils when heated up). Leblanc used to fit Teflon bushes to their clarinets in the '90s (on the keys mounted between point screws), but that was discontinued after a few years, so you could always have nylon or Teflon bushes fitted in the ends instead of metal inserts.
Also make sure the pillars are screwed or fixed solidly into the joints as well so they don't move at all - that can easily be done with a drop of superglue to the pillar threads if they're loose.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2012-04-26 22:28)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2012-04-27 06:27
>> Then I noticed that the keys can move on the posts just a tiny bit but I wonder if that's enough to cause problems? <<
It can cause a problem with adjustment of the 1+1 Eb/Bb and the closing of the lower joint top pad when adding to left hand fingers.
It can be repaired and the method of repair depends on the type of pivot screws and the reason for the play.
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Author: packrat
Date: 2012-05-08 04:58
I'd like to find someone in the states that could work on this horn. Is there anyone in the southeast that could do this work? I think it's more than my current person can accomplish.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2012-05-08 05:42
Are you in Tennessee? I don't know how far he is from you but you can try Larry Mueller http://www.oboistsworkshop.com/index.html
By the way, availability (or not) of spare parts is very rarely an issue with repairing a clarinet and for the problem you describe it's very unlikely to matter at all.
Post Edited (2012-05-08 05:52)
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