 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: m1964
Date: 2019-08-15 07:23
Hi,
What is the best way to remove dark tarnish from silver-pated keys?
The instrument is a R13 Prestige.
Also, the double case it came with, has one lock where the latch that does not close.
Does anyone know of a source for a replacement lock?
The lock is made by Amiet, looks similar to their Z6612 lock but smaller,
52mm x 24mm.
Thanks
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-08-15 07:58
I have always addressed this issue when doing a really thorough oiling. I take the keys off and just use a silver polishing cloth being careful not to cause abrasion on any pad or cork, and to avoid getting the rouge on the pads or corks. It is a bit labor intensive and time consuming but is your surest answer.
One way to avoid silver from tarnishing in the first place is to wipe your keys off at the end of each playing day (that would be EVERY day) with a 100% cotton flannel cloth. Silver polishing clothes actually wear off a modicum of plating, so prevention is important.
Also I am told that keeping your hard rubber mouthpiece in the case with your instrument encourages oxidation of silver.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2019-08-15 12:02
Paul is dead on. Use a silver polish cloth or a jewelry type of cloth. The plating is pretty thin so don't machine buff it.
As for the case, I guess Buffet doesn't make them. I had a defective case and the clarinet was under warranty but the case is not. The case was bending some keys so I bought a case called a Marcus Bonna. It's a bit different than most cases. The keys do not touch any part of the case. They float. It's about the same price as replacing a Buffet case, a shade under $500, but this is pretty a pretty inventive design. You of course get some very nice cases like Bam for about $150 or so.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: m1964
Date: 2019-08-15 16:01
Bob Bernardo wrote:
> Paul is dead on. Use a silver polish cloth or a jewelry type of
> cloth. The plating is pretty thin so don't machine buff it.
>
Hi Paul and Bob,
Thanks a lot for replying to my post.
I used a piece of cloth with a dab of toothpaste to polish keys before.
It seemed to work fine, but I can get the silver polish cloth as well.
"Labor intensive" is OK - I think it's more of a time consuming problem, not skilled labor.
Regarding the lock- I am going to call a locksmith.
If they cannot fix it, for about $70 I can get a set of replacement locks from the same manufacturer.
I am out of work now so I have time to tinker with this lock.
I do have a "regular" Buffet double case for R13 clarinets, but this case for Prestiges is supposed to be made of real leather and should accommodate Eb/Ab levers better.
I am not sure I like the locks in the first place on the Prestige cases because I feel there is bigger chance of them getting unlocked accidentally.
The case with broken lock is in nice condition otherwise, that's why I'd like to fix it.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2019-08-16 16:19
Well,
Since I was unable to get polish cloth and wanted to have the "thing" cleaned, I reverted to using toothpaste.
Sensodine worked better than Crest!
I don't understand why Buffet uses needle springs.
Why does it have to be a sharp needle at the end of the spring?
Interestingly, some pads look badly discolored and dry, and by looking at the pads I would think they need to be replaced.
However, the upper joint holds suction so I am leaving the pads alone for now.
Replaced all tenon corks as well, and regulated keys opening.
Today it's the lower joint cleaning and adjustment.
After that I can check tuning.
I traded my RC, which did not need any work and was repaded recently, for this R13 Prestige that was used in a military orchestra. It seems that whoever fixed it, did a quick job, using some kind of rubberiesh material instead of key corks and even for tenon cork.
Many keys did not open sufficiently making some notes sounding flat and muffled.
The long C (tuning note) was low by about 10c. But the long B was in tune so I hope I can get the C in tune by raising the B key.
It did play more openly and less resistant then RC, with slight edge in sound qualty.
After taking everything apart I was able to confirm that the upper joint has no hidden cracks and tone holes are in good shape.
And, polishing the posts provided opportunity to check for any lose/movable posts.
So, there are other benefits of polishing keys becides cosmetics.
On the lower joint, the Eb/Ab key is very stiff, the spring needs to be adjusted.
Where shoud I unbend the spring- in the middle or close to the post?
Thanks
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2019-08-17 17:03
The people in my local shop said I should use a silver polishing cloth on the accessible surface of the keys and then brush a bit with a make-up brush to move the powder down into the less accessible places. I haven't actually tried that yet.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2019-08-17 17:54
I just put a dab of toothpaste on a piece of cloth and use my nails to get into grooves, etc.
I thought of getting some kind of rotary tool with a polishing wheel but, since I don't do this type of work professionally I really do not need anything like that (until the next cleaning).
Those needle springs - got stuck a few times...
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