 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2013-08-23 02:37
In the space of one day, my Yamaha Custom clarinet suddenly started exhibiting an odd symptom. The mid clarion D, E and F above the break started whistling. The resistance from these notes and others that usually play effortlessly started missing. I also heard a barely audible high whistle in the mid clarion. All the pads look good and there are no leaks that can be detected. The lower section is holding vacuum as is the upper section. The tenon corks look good and are also not leaking. My mouthpiece works fine with my Buffet, so it's not a bad reed or mouthpiece. I'm going to send it off to someone like Wesley Rice but first I'd like an idea of what the problem could be. I tried removing the register key and cleaning out the register tube. That didn't help either. I checked down the bore - nothing obvious there either. What could this be?
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-08-23 03:42
Did you try a new reed?
Did you try a different mouthpiece?
If both of those don't correct the problem, you may be putting the reed on the mouthpiece with the tip too low. Remember that the reed must bend along the curve of the lay, so that when the tips of the reed and mouthpiece meet, there may not be an airtight seal. This is particularly critical at the corners. Try moving the reed slightly higher -- maybe 1/16".
The thinnest area of wood on the clarinet is between the bottom of the lower joint socket and the chimney for the pad at the top of the ring keys. If this cracks, it can produce the kind of problem you're having.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Eric V
Date: 2013-08-23 05:09
Hi Garth, did you check to see that the throat A key screw is adjusted so it moves just a bit before it opens the Ab key? If they are opening at the same time together that may do it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2013-08-23 09:35
Hard to guess based on those unclear symptoms... but does it still happen if you rotate the joints so the two sides of the bridge link don't touch each other? The joints won't be at a good angle to play and it will feel weird, but worth trying just to check.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sonicbang
Date: 2013-08-23 18:21
Those notes you experience problem with are usually affected by too thick cork on the bridge between the joints. If it's too thick, it doesn't let the first pad of the lower joint seal properly. This is my only guess considering you have done the vacuum test and everything is OK.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2013-08-25 00:45
> The lower section is holding vacuum as is the upper section.
...
> sually affected by too thick cork on the bridge between the joints. If it's too thick, it doesn't let the first pad of the lower joint seal properly.
try to close UJ side of the bridge, then push lower and see if it hits it and tries to push deeper. If it does, most likely the fist pad on lower joint doesn't seal or wise verse, upper won't if there is a gap.
If metal soft or not careful bridge could bent from assembling/taking horn apart, grabbing wrong way, dropping, etc. Or if there is a gap, you could have lost cork?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2013-08-27 01:59
I've tried out every possibility mentioned above .... bridge key, chipped/cracked chimneys, body cracks, key height, cork tenon seals, A-Ab key adjustment, clogged register key, reed, mouthpiece, pad leaks, and nothing checks out. I'm going to have to send this one out. I can't complain much; the instrument is 5 years old and for the year I've had it, nothing has ever gone wrong. I wish someone would make a horn that can be played day after day without a problem arising.
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2013-08-27 04:54
Have you checked springs? are all keys which normally closed are well sprung?
I just fixed stuffy low end on vintage clarinet. Pads were sealing well, but one pad on lower joint was opening under pressure. Needle spring somehow rotated and wasn't pushing key down enough.
How that happened? don't know. Perhaps from lubricating keys.
I should probably superglue spring next time.
If you find suspect key, hold it down with rubber bend and check good luck
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
