 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Burt
Date: 2017-08-06 20:57
My two clarinets have nickel-plated keys. I have worn through the plating on the places where my fingers touch. Short of removing all the keys and having them re-plated, is there any reasonable method to cover the now-unplated areas?
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2017-08-06 22:30
From doing repairs for a long time the answer is sadly no. Once the plating is gone nothing can be done.
A good repairman can redo the plating or you can go to a local place near you. Such as a place that chromes parts for cars. But all of the pads have to be removed and the keys should be clean of any oil from the keys inside where the screws are and also from your hands. But a place that does chroming will use an acid bath to do this. If the keys are not oil free well the plating will come off, not right away, but maybe you will see signs of this after a few months.
Something very interesting. Buffet sells more nickel plated horns by far compared to silver plating. It seems that players feel a sound difference. It is not the added cost.
There is talk about NOT putting plating of any type on the posts that hold the keys. People think that maybe the horns sound better. I don't know yet. We are entering a gray area of perhaps mind games. Such as does a $1300 ligature help you play and sound better than a $25 ligature!
I do know that the old Selmer Mark 6 saxophones are worth a lot more if they haven't been re-lacquered. Players say the horns don't sound the same. My guess is they are correct, because of how the horn vibrates of course. A Mark 6 is best to be buffed, not redone. It can mean the difference around $3000 in value.
So if the horn belonged to me I'd leave it as is unless it is driving you nuts!
I know that Yamaha brags about their new silver plating technique. I'm not sure if it is patented. I think the process is patented. As most of the readers know I really like their CSVR's, which have this plating. I have no idea if the horn sounds better because of this.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2017-08-07 16:03
Caswell sells brush plating kits that can be used to touch up various platings. They have one for "copy chrome" iirc that is not a true chrome but a shiney nickel intended to match as best they can.
But the plating goes on very thin. It is best for cosmetic touch ups. It would not last long on key touch areas.
I have dabbled in using these kits for sax mouthpiece plating and touch ups. Using a tall glass jar, you can even rig one up to do a dip plating job. It was fun to see what can be done with a small set up. But in the long run, it was more economical, and I get a better job, by sending out mouthpieces for replating.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: John Peacock
Date: 2017-08-07 19:38
I was deeply skeptical when I saw adverts for "plating solution" that didn't involve electroplating. But I decided to try it, and was surprised to find (for silver; I don't know if similar products exist for nickel) that it does work, with some reservations. The good news is that such solutions do indeed deposit metal robustly: it's not just like a paint that can rub off straight away. One problem is that effectiveness depends on the base metal. The silver solutions don't seem to do much on bare nickel silver; but I had some rings where the silver had disappeared down to the copper flash beneath, and there the silver took a firm hold. The other problem is it doesn't last: the layer doesn't get any thicker with repeated application, and so it disappears after a week of heavy playing. But it's quick to renew, and I'm happy to keep doing it so that the existing plating wear is stabilised and doesn't get worse.
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2017-08-07 19:45
Burt--let us know if you're willing to change the dialogue to one that entertains re-plating.
I had one of mine done at the same time I had a major overhaul done, by a tech with access to electroplating facilities nearby (hint, a lot of ex Selmer techs in the Elkhart, IN area have access to such firms that Selmer turfs out/use to turf out this work to.) It wasn't that pricey [compared to simply an overhaul].
As you may know, electroplating in house usually isn't an option for the tech who does them now and then. The cost of setting up the plant, and conforming with EPA regulations (at least in the States) given some of the nasty chemicals used in the process, doesn't make it worth it to the occasional jobber.
You mentioned you had two clarinets, but not whether, say, they were an "A" and a Beefer such that one could not easily be substituted for the other while the other is in the shop. Then again it's reasonable to assume that an "A" clarinet doesn't have nearly as much wear and tear as a Beefer and you may own two Beefers.
Another option I have and can share is one of my techs restores instruments. This gives me the option, granted for extra fee, to have him loan me one of a choice of some really solid Beefers that I get to choose from, while mine's being worked on by him. He doesn't do electroplating for the reasons mentioned, but most good techs have solid connections to those they subcontract that work to, all while you deal exclusively with them.
I get that you may not want to incur these costs for something cosmetic, yet at the same time nice to get taken care of.
Post Edited (2017-08-07 19:48)
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2017-08-08 00:25
Today I received a complete set of R13 keys including tenon rings that were silver plated by Anderson and they look amazing. Well worth the money spent.
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Author: jbutler ★2017
Date: 2017-08-08 16:51
They will do the posts, register vent, thumb tube and thumb rest as well if you string them on a copper wire. Having said that I've had mixed results with ASP over the last year and half or two. Seems like it's a hit/miss situation of plating quality.
jbutler
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Author: Burt
Date: 2017-08-08 21:52
Dave and others:
I have 2 Bb clarinets (plus an "A" which has no plating problem). I would consider re-plating the parts of by backup which have no pads (rings, register tube) before trying it on my primary instrument.
What does re-plating cost, and does it depend on how much is being plated?
Burt
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2017-08-09 00:41
I'll speak to you off line via email about this. Bboard rules frown, if not prohibit discussion sometimes of such specifics.
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