 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Wookie001
Date: 2016-10-07 04:14
Attachment: IMG_1387.jpg (1715k)
Attachment: IMG_1386.jpg (920k)
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Hello,
I recently bought a new Buffet Crampon RC Bb Clarinet, and it plays great!
but when I put it in the case and close it, it feels very resistant, and I'm not sure if it's being damaged by the pressure.. maybe you can have a look at the pictures in the attachment and let me know if that's correct.
and what is this little plastic thing for?
thanks
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2016-10-07 04:29
According to Lisa of Lisa's Clarinet (whom I bought my Buffet through), that "little plastic thing" should always be placed in the top of the section of your clarinet and placed over the B key to hold it down. It keeps it from being bent when it's in the case. I emailed her and asked the same question a few months ago as I was also curious.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-10-07 05:17
Throw that plastic thing away right now as it will only do more harm than good.
They're used to hold down the LH E/B lever during transport but will undoubtedly put excess strain on the notoriously fragile nylon connecting pins if you use them all the time.
If you're in the US and you don't want to feel the wrath of Buffet's poor delivery times when it comes to supplying replacement pins, I'd suggest you get rid of that plastic spring thing and forget it ever existed.
They should never have been made, definitely shouldn't ever be supplied with any new Buffet to the end customer and should NEVER be used at all.
I've seen brand new Buffets with broken pins as a result of this spring clip and I've always taken them out of the cases so they don't end up in the wrong hands which is the owner of a Buffet clarinet. They're completely unfit for any purpose and are an entire waste of materials.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2016-10-07 05:26)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-10-07 05:24
And as for the case - if you feel the lid has to be forced closed, then get another case that fits the clarinet better.
If the lid feels it has to be forced closed, the pressure exerted on the lower joint will end up bending the F/C touchpiece down and put the crow's foot regulation out so you will have trouble playing E/B with just the LH or RH pinky only (you'll have to hold down the F/C key too). The F/C touchpiece is particularly soft and bendable on Buffets, so you don't want anything making contact with it.
There's something not right there as the cut-out in the case lining should clear the RH pinky keys by a few millimetres and not as much as in your photo. If the thumbrest is preventing the lower joint from nesting correctly in its compartment, then you'll have to either cut out some material from the inside of the case lining or compress it (it's formed from polystyrene so will compress) until it lies in there correctly.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2016-10-07 05:27)
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2016-10-07 06:08
I had a double case, new, that was bending a key. Solved it by replacing the case, with a non Buffet case.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2016-10-07 07:12
That type of Buffet case (the "pro" one) is often like that when new. The top is soft enough that it's really not a problem and usually takes the shape over time.
>> According to... <<
That's how it's meant to be used, but like Chris said it's better not to use it. It's better to not to keep open keys closed all the time.
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Author: Wookie001
Date: 2016-10-07 18:32
thanks for your answers.
and the clarinet parts are in the right position in the case or should they be turned a bit in the one or other direction?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-10-07 20:42
They're correctly positioned in their slots, but they're not accommodated by them as they should be.
Check the fabric where the thumbrest is and if you can see a deep impression, then you'll have to make that deeper to allow the thumbrest to fit.
Also check the fabric on the lid cushion as that will show where maximum contact is made with the keywork.
The problem with all clarinets is the RH Ab/Eb and F/C touchpieces are the highest point of the instrument when it's in its case. Soft sided cases are also not entirely suitable if they exert pressure onto the keywork.
The RH F/C touchpiece is the most vulnerable to bending not only due to its high position, but also due to the softness of the casting and how thin the touchpiece arm is where it meets the key barrel as it has been thinned down or hollowed out on the underside to clear the Ab/Eb touchpiece arm and key barrel. The length of the touchpiece arm will also allow the touchpiece to bend if excessive pressure is applied to the touchpiece.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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