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Re: Bass clarinet register Key sticking

Author: Chris P
Date: 2018-05-12 10:03

The thing with automatic or articulated mechanisms is there are two forces on the same pad - a strong closing force from the master spring and a weaker opening force from the mechanism needed to lift the pad cup.

The pad is held closed whilst the instrument isn't being played and that force against the tonehole or bush plus any residual moisture from playing can contribute to the pad sticking no matter what the pad is made from.

And being at the top end of the instrument, the speaker vent pads are prone to getting wet. Cork pads can help, but they too can stick over time as cork pads are great under light to moderate closing pressure, but anything stronger will compress them and cause them to deform and stick to their tonehole or bush. You can use a much lower spring tension when cork pads are fitted, but balance the mechanism well to make sure it functions correctly and still feels positive instead of mushy.

While I'm not a massive fan of Gore-Tex pads, they can be used in the speaker vents on basses to reduce the risk of the pads sticking. Also using cheap leather pads that are made of leather without the plastic waterproof membrane can be less likely to stick, but the tanning chemicals can cause a green sticky residue to form when it reacts with the copper content in the metal of the bush.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

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