 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sobarski
Date: 2019-01-03 02:21
I recently went to play my bass clarinet and I found the the F key will not pop up after it is pressed down. I have looked at it carefully and I couldn't find any springs or anything out of place. I noticed that if I hold it parallel to the floor with my mouthpiece on my left then it will continue to function normally but any other way it would not work. any suggestions on how to fix this problem? thanks
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Author: donald
Date: 2019-01-03 15:23
Sounds like the spring is broken or has lost its "springiness". The spring may be fine but has just come out of the "saddle". If you examine the key you should be able to fi d abd observe the spring. If it's broken or "limp" then the best thing would be to get a tech to replace it. You MAY be able to rig a temporary repair using a rubber band or hair tie to pull the key open.
Dn
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2019-01-04 02:30
If you mean the RH pinky F/C key, then that's odd that it works when the instrument is laid down and not in its playing position as gravity would otherwise dictate if it's a weak spring. Although that depends on how the lower joint is rotated whilst laid down.
I can only suggest you take it to a specialist repairer rather than trying to do anything yourself if you can't see what the problem is.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2019-01-04 12:06
Not sure what F key it is, but if it works in some orientations and not others, it means it is affected by gravity somehow. This is usually because a spring is broken, or partly broken (sometimes broken right next to the post, seems to be attached, but barely works or not at all), or the key is binding and the spring together with gravity is enough to overcome the friction.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2019-01-04 12:23
Is it a plastic or wooden bass?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: DougR
Date: 2019-01-07 00:47
You might check the socket ring on the top of the lower joint; if your Selmer bass is like mine, the ring is tightened by a set-screw; if the wood shrinks (normal in winter), the ring gets loose, and if the ring also has a post soldered to it the post can go out of alignment, causing misalignment of keys. (if this is what your issue is, I'd have thought there'd be more misalignment than just one key, and I doubt the RH f/c key would be affected, but can't hurt to check?)
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