 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2015-03-21 20:38
I am working on a G.M.Bundy, Paris Bb clarinet for a friend whose young son would like to learn on grand-dad's clarinet. I have not yet gotten beyond the upper joint, but I have found the pad seats for the upper trill key and the C#/G# (left pinky) key to be completely flat. I can understand the pad seat rims on an instrument this age being slightly rounded, but is it normal for this instrument to have some completely flat pad seats? They do not appear to have been altered, but that could be deceptive. I definitely could do without whoever used super glue (or something similar) to reattach a loose tenon cork. Lots of work with dental tools to get rid of it.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2015-03-21 20:47
I've seen flat seats, and as long as they align well with the pad I don't see a fundamental problem, especially as the key in question is sprung shut.
--
Ben
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2015-03-22 00:29
As I proceed, I guess I'll just view it as practice in accurately seating the pads. It will be a challenge to get my feeler gauge to the pad seats with the pads in the way. It does look like I am going to have to shim the trill key pad. Thanks for the encouragement. The boy is from a very tight family and I would not like to let him down after he helped to clean out grand-dad's house. I know the seats can be replaced but, if possible, I would like to avoid the cost issue (I don't have the tools or experience to do it myself). That can be done later if he decides to stay with it.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-03-22 04:08
Note that the Bundy Paris clarinets can be as old as 1920s vintage. It's not uncommon for instruments that old to have a plain tone hole with a pad coming down flush with the exterior wall of the clarinet body, especially for the C#/G# key.
Installing a softish leather pad, as one would use on a wraparound-style register key, would be an easy way to manage this.
The Bundy Paris clarinets are actually genuine Henri Selmer Paris creations. What a shame that somebody used super glue on this. Here's hoping that you end up with a superb clarinet when your work is done!
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2015-03-22 08:06
Update:
I have managed to get the super glue off by careful work with dental tools. The C#/G# key does look like a flat surface is original. However, since the other trill keys have rims for the pads to contact, I'm guessing the top one was cut down to provide a sealing surface after its rim got chipped. I have also been given the information that my friend's grandfather used it as a jazz musician in Chicago during the 20s and 30s. It makes sense that, in that era, a chipped rim would be repaired by cutting it flat. The wood in this instrument is as nice as the wood in my Kohlert from the same era. Work is progressing nicely and I expect it will be a fantastic instrument for a young boy to learn on, especially considering its family history. Thank you for the input.
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