 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Clarinet_GAS
Date: 2020-02-26 15:43
Hi fellow clarinetists,
I am a proud owner of a 35xxx Buffet Master Bore. This was my first clarinet and my current too. I have over the years collected or tried various other clarinets but none of them could match up in tone to my vintage buffet(I've tried basically every modern buffet, selmer, leblanc, and have owned/own a Selmer CT, Conn444, YCL62, and Vito7214).
The problem with this clarinet, which is why I always try to find replacements, is that is clarinet's keywork is just always riddled with problems due to the very soft keys composition probably notorious in the 1947-1950 buffets. I have to bring it in for adjustments every 6 six months, and I only do so when the clarinet is REALLY out of adjustment.
I am tired of spending time and money(which would accumulate to the amount a modern high-end clarinet costs) on this very unstable keywork and was wondering if it is possible to just have the whole keywork changed to a new and better one. I imagine it shouldn't affect the tone of the clarinet? And yes it will be expensive but by not doing so it will reach the same amount in no time too because of adjustments.
Thanks in advance! Looking forward to hearing opinions...
Alex
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2020-02-26 18:10
Surely not all of the keys are coming out of adjustment, maybe just a few? A better option would be reinforcing weaker areas. For example you could have the crows foot replaced with a thicker one. You could also have certain key arms reinforced. My Charles Bay modified Selmer bass clarinet has several brass reinforcing rods soldered directly to several keys. Replacing all of the keys is probably possible, but it seems extreme.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2020-02-26 18:59
I've seen more recent Buffets with very soft RH F/C touchpiece castings which go out of adjustment just by looking at them. It's not helped because of the shape of that touchpiece with a relatively long and thin arm connecting it to the key barrel.
Another thing that often causes adjustment problems are dry solder joints where the key piece poorly soldered to the key barrel or key rod has broken away from it leaving it weak and bendy.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Erez Katz
Date: 2020-02-26 19:43
My A Buffett is from 1960 and the keywork in the lower tenon is very soft and bends easily. After it went out on me on the Schubert Unfinished solo, I have been very careful when I assemble it.
Bell and lower tenon firsrt, barrel and upper tennon second and the last connection is made when I hold it by the bell and barrell.
For the D-B/G-E adjustment, I am thinking of asking my tech to teach me how to do it myself because it is usually a no-tools-needed adjustment.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2020-02-26 20:02
If you are comfortable with mechanical things you could learn to do your own adjustments. If you have a mechanical bent the clarinet is a fairly simple assembly and most of the adjustments are not too difficult. If you're not comfortable with the idea then ignore this.
Tony F.
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