 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SuffolkSaxhams
Date: 2016-11-17 16:12
Hello, this is my first post but I’ve lurked for years. I’ve been grateful for some great advice on here but now I’m stuck with a mystery.
I’ve got an oldish Leblanc LL in C which I’ve just given a jolly good clean (removed keywork and replaced) and now it’s doing something odd.
In the clarion register I can’t voice C, C sharp or B on either hand. E flat and D on up are ok. The lower register F, F sharp and E are fine. I can slur ( with difficulty) from D down to the clarion register C, C sharp and B notes they just won’t sound from scratch. I hope this makes sense to someone as a trip to my fixer is on the cards but he’s 50 miles away. Many thanks for any thoughts.
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2016-11-17 20:33
You definately have a leak on the RH Ab/Eb key, I would reccomend getting that pad replaced. Has this instrument been serviced recently?
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: kdk
Date: 2016-11-17 20:39
Assuming D is really OK, the most obvious place to check is whether or not the F/C pad is sealing (the one that closes when you press one of the levers for C).
You don't mention a problem with low E3, F3 and F#3 (the same fingerings without the register key). If those play freely but the twelfths don't, you might check the register vent tube - an obstruction there affects most of the clarion register, but it might only become really obvious for the longest-tube clarion notes that you mention. Still, the notes should speak if this is a problem.
Karl
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Author: SuffolkSaxhams
Date: 2016-11-18 02:33
thanks for your replies. I don't know when it was last serviced - I've had it about 6 months and only recently played it with any regularity. It was pretty grubby, hence the cleanup, so could well be the pads are suspect and I probably made it worse with my cleaning operation. I'll do as you suggest and get it to the service asap.
thanks again for a great resource in this board
John
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Author: kdk
Date: 2016-11-18 05:35
If D is good, would it be the Eb pad that's leaking? I would expect that to disable D.
Karl
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2016-11-18 06:25
kdk wrote:
> If D is good, would it be the Eb pad that's leaking? I would
> expect that to disable D.
>
> Karl
In my experience, whenever notes below D in the clarion register cannot be played the problem is almost always with the Ab/Eb pad. You can try this yourself by putting a small piece of paper under the Eb pad on your instrument. You will find that D can be played (albeit very poorly) but notes below that will not speak. This is only true for small leaks, which are the most common. Of course if a large portion of the pad is missing the D will not speak as well, however given that the OP said that the instrument was playing well before i'm assuming the leak is small.
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Author: SuffolkSaxhams
Date: 2016-11-18 17:00
just a quick update and thank you....I put my light down on the E flat pad and couldn't see any leaks but I know that's no guarantee. So I very carefully applied a little heat to try and re-seat the pad. Bingo! all is well again. I've booked it for a service anyway but it's playing well enough again until then
Many thanks -
John
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