 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: as9934
Date: 2014-01-12 19:42
I recently received a used buffet e13 and it's been great excerpt for one small problem. When I first got the clarinet I wanted to adjust the thumbrest so I unscrewed the screw that holds it in place and screwed the rest back into place. After about 2 mins of playing the thumb rest and screw fell off. I recovered the rest but the thumb screw was lost until today when I located it under my bed. When i tried to screw in the thumb rest the screw wobbled around and fell out. I think that part of it may have broken off in the hole. My question is this. How can I keep the screw in place? Can I superglue it? Should I replace the screw? Can I jut buy the screw and not have to spend $24 on the complete thumb rest assembly?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-01-13 00:56
The thread has been stripped, so a replacement will be needed.
Rather than getting another Buffet one, get a Yamaha adjustable thumbrest as these are better made with stronger metal (they're not cast like Buffet ones are) and also have the baseplate repositioned about 10mm above where the existing screw holes are as they're in the same position as the fixed thumbrest screw holes, so you can only adjust down, but not any higher up that a fixed thumbrest would've been (which is defeating the whole object of having an adjustable thumbrest).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2014-01-13 03:09
If you are not worried about the use of the ring strap then you can replace it with a standard 3mm screw of appropriate length.
I have made many replacements for these using old style Jupiter saxophone guard retaining screws which are solid brass, have a deep enough head to allow shaping in a lathe, and have a have a much better thread form than those Buffet screws.
A support ring can be made and silver soldered to this new screw if needed.
Later Buffets have a clearance recess drilled under the thumbrest plate to allow a screw to penetrate to a deeper part of the thread but a repairer can easily drill a suitable hole on the older models.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2014-01-13 07:54
They're closer to $35 the last time I looked. www.wwbw.com sells them.
In any event, go to a repair tech, have it replaced.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: hartt
Date: 2014-01-13 09:20
The next time you want/need to remove the screw....or any screw for that matter.....insert it and lightly/slowly turn it counter clockwise. You will hear/feel a clicking. That is the starting point of the threads. It also centers the screw.
Then, slowly turn it clockwise to tighten
This is assuming a right hand thread. for a left hand (rare) the procedure would be the opposite.
And yes, have the whole thumb-rest raised about 10mm.....for the reason stated by Chris P. Also, the additional height gives a better pinky finger position on the RH cluster keys.
me
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2014-01-13 09:49
>>And yes, have the whole thumb-rest raised about 10mm.....for the reason stated by Chris P. Also, the additional height gives a better pinky finger position on the RH cluster keys. <<
True for some people, but some (though definitely not most) people actually use the adjutable thumbrest in its lowest position.
As far as giving better finger position, that depends on the fingers. I've tried a higher thumbrest position once and the pain was unbearable. Moved it back and everything was fine again.
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2014-01-13 11:18
Chris is right. These thumb rests are awful. The threads in the base of the thumb rest are easily stripped out. I replace them with an old style fixed thumb rest or adjustable thumb rests from Jupiter.
Steve Ocone
Post Edited (2014-01-14 04:54)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-01-13 17:03
Oh yeah - Jupiter thumbrests are every bit as good as Yamaha and probably cheaper too, so replace the Buffet one for something else that will last.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2014-01-18 08:22
Isn't it a shame when Buffet makes something to a much lower standard than Jupiter has done, and this has gone on for many years now.
Buffet, get your act together! Cast pot("muck")-metal. Shameful! Totally inadequate for this component. It puts the entire instrument at risk when it breaks, as it is sure to do sooner or later.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-01-18 15:13
Considering Buffet have ties with Jupiter going back a few decades now, why not just use Jupiter components such as adjustable thumbrests on Buffet clarinets?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2014-01-18 16:32
Before the thumb rest is positioned, it would be a good idea if decide if you are going to use the Ridenour rubber device that can be placed over any standard thumb rest. This simple and inexpensive device lets the hand fall in what some say is a more natural position. Not only is it more comfortable but it also allows the hand to be less pinched and more open and the fingers can work with less tension. It requires that the thumb rest be placed in a slightly higher position than it would be normally. It comes on and off in seconds so it need not be stored on the instrument in the case.
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2014-01-19 07:22
just in passing: A much cheaper and more accessible rubber device is the silicon rubber tubing that kids buy from stationery stores to put on pencils or pens.
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Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2014-01-19 19:09
The Ridenour rubber thumb rest add on not only protccts the thumb, it also enlarges the effective diameter of the clarinet so that the hand can form an open C instead of a pinched grip. This, I think is it's most important contribution.
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
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