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Re: LeBlanc paperclip contra models?

Author: Chris P
Date: 2020-08-13 23:55
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Not a contra, but I have a JinBao bass sax (SA80II copy) and the general fit and finish on it is pretty good in that it was playable straight from the box. Typical with Chinese makers, they do use a lot of natural cork and soft plastic tubing on the keywork which is both noisy and creates a lot of friction, so that's something that should be replaced.

Some keys were cobbled together from bari sax key pieces and the cup arms are too short with a thin area of the arm showing where it would normally butt against the side of the pad cup when fitted to the correct instrument. Some touchpiece positions were way out of reach and a bit of creative bending had to be done to make them better positioned under the fingers.

Now, the main problem I encountered were the point screws where the threads had been nipped across the thread with wire cutters to lock them into the pillar threads - only they make light work of destroying the pillar threads when they're removed. I've seen this done on Selmer USA oboe adjusting screws as well, so it's one of those annoying things that are done just to get the instrument through quality control and out the factory door.

Other JinBao instruments I've seen (which were bari saxes) have the threaded ends and even the threads of rod screws ground down to prevent keys binding up when the screws are tightened if the pillars aren't true. Others have the threads cut with wire cutters and left jagged instead of trued up which will also damage the much softer brass pillar threads. Other rod screws that are too long have been ground down flush with the key and beyond the slot so you can't remove them without resorting to some surgery or other. See attachment.

It's always a gamble buying any Chinese built instrument and some can be opening a real can of worms once you set to work on them and then end up having to do far more work than you anticipate - that's fine if you can do your own repair work and can adapt or fabricate replacement parts, but expect a hefty repair bill if you have to get someone else to do the work for you.

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

Post Edited (2020-08-14 00:01)

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LeBlanc paperclip contra models? new

tdufka

2019-08-25 03:22