 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris C.
Date: 2013-05-06 22:43
Hi guys!
I've always had a stuffy low C# but it was in tune and the pad height looked pretty good so I didn't pursue the matter until I brought it up in my last lesson and my teacher said that the shape of the tone hole may need adjusting. Is this what my clarinet needs or is there something else amiss? If the shape of the tone hole is the culprit, about how much would it cost to take care of it?
Thanks,
Chris.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-05-07 02:08
I don't think you can "eye-ball" a hole to determine if it is in perfect round. The video of Backun and Morales talking about how things changed on the Backun clarinet over time, shows Morrie taking a pre-formed milling tool, inserting it into the tone hole and bringing it back into round once it was determined that the tool wobbled to and fro rather than holding straight.
In your circumstance, it is more likely that there is built up crud in the tone hole that you should be able to knock out once the key is off. Or perhaps the pad surface is torn but is not visible with just a cursory visual inspection from the side. In that case just replace the pad. And if it is possible (once you've explored those options) you can make that key height just a little bigger with some judicious sanding of cork or even (dare I say....) mild bending.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: JBOverture
Date: 2013-05-07 04:07
Hi Chris,
I'm unsure what a tone hole clean and rounding would cost exactly, but it shouldn't be a substantial amount.
I had a stuffy C# at one stage and got my repair tech to replace the pad with a cork one and got it fairly heavily beveled. I also had my register key done at the same time. I found that this eliminated some of the 'hiss' when you hit the C# or register key and it has been good ever since. I would highly recommend it.
Jarrod
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2013-05-07 12:01
Chalameau C# sounds stuffy on most clarinets. The natural placement would be where the tenon and socket are and some clarinets put it there. That is one advantage of a one piece body - It is easy to place the tone hole where it sounds good. Because it is placed higher up, the tone hole is smaller and sounds stuffy. It requires more venting then other pads. I've also tried beveling the outside of the pad, and some other tricks without much success.
Steve Ocone
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-05-07 13:13
The best thing on any regular clarinet is make the C#/G# pad open as much as is possible without it clattering against the side Eb/Bb key when its held open nor allowing it to lower the LH2 ring key. You can always file a clearance around the point of contact on those keys and also on the C#/G# key cup arm if there's plenty of metal to do so without weakening it.
Cork pads are best in this key as they will remain flat, provided thespring tension is backed off as cork pads don't need overly heavy springs forcing them to seat.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2013-05-07 13:54
FWIW, on many Buffet clarinets, I bend the C# key slightly to allow it to open up a bit higher, solving this issue. I see it all the time when my students buy a new instrument. One needs to be careful to not tear the pad - I put a metal pad slick under the pad and with my thumb bend the key out slightly - maybe 1-2mm at most.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-05-07 15:29
Another way to do that without risking damage to the pad is to hold the key open fully, then tap the arch of the touchpiece arm (between the touchpiece and pillar) with a rawhide mallet to flatten it out which will increase the venting. But the chances are it will compress the crappy artificial cork they stick to the underside of the key and could make it sticky.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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