 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: fuehrcol
Date: 2015-11-16 03:10
Hello fellow clarinetists. I am planning on getting a bass clarinet with range to low c soon. It is a Ridenour low c bass clarinet. The RH pinky key for low d is nonexistent. Also the thumb key setup is kind of weird. I would prefer a low d RH pinky key and roller keys for the thumb. Does anybody know who I could contact that could change the keywork and put roller keys and a RH pinky low d key on it?
By the way, the quote below is actually to play the clarinet, but I changed it, even though nobody really cares.
-Cole Fuehrer
Post Edited (2015-11-16 03:27)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-11-16 04:49
Attachment: ridenour_bass_1.png (328k)
Attachment: ridenour_bass_2.bmp (1133k)
Attachment: ridenour_bass_3.png (675k)
http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/925c-bass-clarinet.html
See 1st attached photo. If the key rod for the low D key is mounted at its top end just below the Ab/Eb key which it appears to be (the long key rod with the adjusting screw arms on it), then it should be possible to add a RH low D touch, but the touchpiece arm will be fairly long with a bend at both ends so it could be prone to being bent or feel spongy in use.
See 2nd attached photo. Fitting rollers to the thumb keys should also be possible by cutting out the necessary recess in the touchpieces, soldering extra metal on to form tabs, then drilling through the newly formed tabs to fit the roller screw, fit the rollers and then have the plating done to match the rest of the keywork. The only obstacle I can see from the photos is the thumb keys are rather thin, so there will be a fair amount of work to do to make the necessary clearance for the rollers so they don't foul on the touchpiece arms - also the surface of the joint immediately below may need to be milled out deeper to prevent the thumb keys making contact with the joint.
See 3rd attached photo: Another keywork modification you could have done is an extension on the bridge key to close the C#/G# pad cup so a B-C# and upper F#-G# trill is made easier - thereby making the C#/G# key fully articulated. The pad cup is already sprung open but closed by the master spring on the C#/G# touchpiece.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2015-11-16 06:58)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: fuehrcol
Date: 2015-11-16 16:28
OK. Do you know anyone that could do this? I am really not sure where I should send it to.
-Cole Fuehrer
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: CEC
Date: 2015-11-16 23:18
Hi Cole,
I can highly recommend Wesley Rice. He's in Princess Anne, Maryland. He builds extensions and does custom keywork. And he's a really nice guy Here's his website:
http://www.clarinet-repairs.com
Post Edited (2015-11-16 23:20)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: fuehrcol
Date: 2015-11-17 01:50
OK. Thanks. I will check out his website in about 5 seconds once I am done typing. Thanks for your help!
-Cole Fuehrer
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2015-11-18 17:27
I just noticed that you are from Wisconsin. Brian Russell is very talented and may not be too far. He has even made a left-handed saxophone for a player that lost the used of his tight hand. I have sent him some repair work that my shop could not do as efficiently.
http://www.russellwinds.com
Steve Ocone
Post Edited (2015-11-20 04:01)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-11-18 19:15
My main concern what with it being a Chinese bass is you might find some people will be very reluctant to work on it. Fairly often there are more hidden problems that only surface once they start to be taken apart, so the cost of putting manufacturing problems right can escalate quickly, plus the cost of the keywork conversions which might in turn open up another can of worms.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2015-11-20 04:02
Regarding the Chinese factor - I wouldn't agree to work on one sight unseen myself.
Steve Ocone
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
