 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2016-06-05 22:48
Thumb rest position on Buffet R13 Bb and A clarinets without the adjustable thumb rest are located to low on some instruments from the factory which can result in thumb pain. The proper position is level with the first chimney on the lower joint. Anyone else find the same results.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2016-06-05 23:22
From what I remember, the standard fixed position is in between the bottom of the top tone hole and the top of the middle one.
But here is the quandary. The thumb rest position that you use should be relative to how you hold your horn. If you tend toward an upward slant of your thumb (pointing more towards ceiling following a line from base of thumb to tip) than you would require the thumb rest "higher" up than if you just let weight take its course and allowed your thumb to point in a "downwards" attitude. The latter is NOT recommended because this puts undue stress on you ligaments and (I strongly feel) brings upon a host of pain problems such as carpal tunnel.
So somewhere between thumb straight out or pointing up, you find a thumb rest position that places your right index finger hovering just above the last side key. This is ideal.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-06-05 23:32
Buffet fit the adjustable thumbrest base in exactly the same position as the fixed thumbrests they used to use as that's where the screw holes are still drilled. So the only adjustment you can make is downwards.
So to get full advantage of an adjustable thumbrest, it needs to be relocated by around 10mm higher up the lower joint so you have adjustment both up and down instead of just down which won't suit most people.
All they need to do is change some numbers in the computer programme that operates the CNC milling machine to relocate these screw holes (and recess for the locking screw) higher up the joint.
That should probably take the CNC operator/programmer around an hour or so to do and then every single clarinet of every model they produce will have the thumbrest fitted in a much better position.
Otherwise it will cost the buyer more to have their thumbrests moved up by their repairer who will also have to fill in the original screw holes and recess which is time consuming compared to the matter of seconds it takes a CNC mill to put the thumbrest screw holes in the correct place.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2016-06-06 00:51
My A and Bb instruments are both R13's. The thumb rest on the A is located lower, even taking into account the greater length of the joint. It does cause strain, but if I warm up carefully with attention to the RH needs, it can be ok. I've lived with it for years.
Having said that, I wondered about replacing the thumb rest with an adjustable one so I could relocate it slightly higher on the A. Last year I searched a number of sites, including the archives of this board. I found a lot of information and opinions, but not enough to specify an adjustable thumb rest for R13's that people generally thought would work well. Buffet does sell one, as I recall, but reviews of it were not good.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2016-06-06 02:05
A quick fix to obtain a higher position is to unscrew the thumbrest, swing it around 180 degrees and refix in original screw holes, then add some cork to the new lower side of rest. If you like that position you can arrange to have a more elegant solution made later.
I did this to my 1963 R13 about 10 years ago, still haven't got around to the elegant bit yet but works fine for me.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-06-06 02:16
You can't do that with an adjustable one.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2016-06-06 04:18
To Norman's idea, might something like this, only designed to fit the existing Buffet holes, not do the trick?
The height adjustment screw serves double duty not only as an anchor to the thumbrest's height, but a pivot point to turn the thumbrest upside down (and anchor it) when players desire the thumbrest to adjust to points not simply lower than Buffet's fixed position thumbrest, (Chris' point on Buffet's adjustable thumbrest) but higher as well--all while the hardware never requires detachment from the clarinet's body.
http://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Clarinet-Thumb-Screws-Chrome/dp/B009DV2KH8
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2016-06-06 04:52
Norman, interesting idea. Since I use rubber slip-on cushions, cork won't be needed, and there's nothing to lose by trying. Thanks!
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2016-06-06 05:00
The problem I had was in fact with my key of A R13 so I too turned the thumbrest 180 degrees and that did the trick and tomorrow I will relocate it higher and fill in the original holes.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2016-06-07 06:21
I've only owned about 8 clarinets and the first thing I do is change the thumb rest positions. The next thing I do is fix all of the dang leaks. Buffet should have a better respect for their products. Every dang horn leaks air. Very sad after spending between $3500 to $9500 for an R13 to the Devine. Anyway, if you look at your thumb and your index finger and middle middle they line up pretty evenly. The position of the thumb placement of the Buffets does not line up even close to the thumb and index finger, causing stress on your hand and finger alignment and your forearm. The ideal position will of course vary from player to player. My setup is aligned with the index finger, or almost dead center with the F# key side key next to the thumb rest. It's pretty much the same with both horns. Translates to about 1 3/4" from the top of the joint to where your thumb lies. If anyone wants a photo email me and I'll take a few pics.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2016-06-07 20:22
Thanks Bob. I just measured mine and it is 2 1/16" from the top. It is an R13 key of A from 1963 and it seems very heavy compared to a Bb. No stuffy notes at all and projects superbly with power and plays like a Bb. I use it for jazz, swing and blues. before I raised the position i was having pain after only 3 minutes of playing. Now no pain no matter how long I play.
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2016-06-07 21:24
How's about this.
Envision a thin base plate comprised of a rare earth magnet (rare is just their name, they are not scarce, but really strong) attaches to the clarinet via screws, and the thumb rest is made of the same material--reversed in polarity on the side that touches the aforementioned base plate.
Now the thumb rest is adjustable up and down, and believe me, it's not going anywhere once attached, except maybe up and down, albeit with considerable force (much more than playing clarinet entails). You might need needle nose pliers just to have the strength to pull the thumb rest portion (as opposed to the base) off the instrument.
Penny size versions of this magnet, 3/4" dia by 1/4" thickness comes with tiny plastic bagels between them just so you can get them apart without much fuss--that's how strong.
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Author: Paul Globus
Date: 2016-06-10 16:39
Like Bob Bernardo, I too have had the thumb rests on my instruments moved up to a more comfortable position for my hand and it makes a big difference.
It seems to me that there's nothing scientific about where Buffet and some other makers put the thumb rest. And most of the adjustable thumb rests that I've seen on new instruments are too low -- one's options are for the thumb to be low on the instrument or lower still.
Moving the thumb rest up is a simple, quick and inexpensive procedure when done by an experienced repair person. It entails drilling two new holes, nothing more. You can either have the old holes filled or just leave them alone, as I elected to do; the aesthetic of the instrument is not harmed.
For many people, the thumb rest position as determined by the manufacturer works just fine. But for others a higher position is definitely better. There might even be some players who prefer an even lower position, although I've never personally come across anyone in that camp.
Paul Globus
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2016-06-12 05:40
Rare earth magnet's though--maybe not for kids clarinets (they're usually not too particularly about thumb position anyway).
..not sure if its voluntary or not, but they're being removed from the US toy market---kids swallowing them, older (yet stupider) kids using them internally as body jewelry... ![[huh]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie11.gif)
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