 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DougR
Date: 2026-06-24 17:01
My A clarinet has become virtually unplayable due to RH arthritis and mis-aligned fingers. (The Bb is doable, but it's the increased space between the 1st and 2nd finger rings on the A that makes it problematic.)
Nobody makes a plateau A clarinet, as far as I can tell. But I just ran across a post on FB that mentions 3D-printed finger wedges that presumably keep the fingers aligned correctly to cover the ring holes. That's all I know about it, no examples were provided, so my question is, IS THIS A THING?
Anybody know about this? Is it something repair folks can do? Will I be able to rip thru the Brahms quintet once again?? (or, in my case, take a slow amble thru it)
I know Chris P has come up with some creative solutions (i.e. a single-hole plateau key) but I'm loath to carve up a perfectly good R13. Can anyone add some perspective on this?
EDITING TO ADD: I've tried all sorts of thumb rest modifications, Kooiman and Ridenour thumb rests, moving the thumb rest up, moving it down, changing my hand position, blah-blah-blah. Regardless, my forefinger wants to nestle with my 2nd finger right in the space where there's no hole. Would a wedge help? ?? maybe??
Post Edited (2026-06-24 17:05)
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2026-06-24 17:27
Lohff & Pfeiffer Can do custom plateau conversions.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: MarkS
Date: 2026-06-24 19:02
I bought a Uebel Superior plateau B-flat clarinet from Michael Lowenstern (Earspasm Music) a few months ago, and am very happy with it. It was relatively easy to make the transition from my Buffet Festival, and solved my arthritis-related issues.
Contrary to what I previously thought, Uebel sells the same clarinet in key of A on their website. So you can buy it there. However, from a conversation I had with Michael, it seems likely that it will become available through him in the future.
In the next few months, I plan to decide whether to purchase the Uebel or to have Lohff & Pfeiffer convert my Yamaha CSVR A-clarinet to plateau.
Mark
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-06-24 19:42
None of my clarinets were 'carved up' when I fitted LH thumbplates to them - the only real alteration was drilling a 0.5mm hole through the lower pillar for the needle spring as the original thumb tube and ring can be kept by and refitted to revert them back to how they originally were (and the needle spring can simply be removed or used to spring the thumb ring B&H style should you want that), as well as hoicking up the speaker key touchpiece so a thicker stopper cork can be used.
Converting any clarinet to full plateaux keywork is far more significant as more pillars are needed, plus the tonehole chimneys and LH3 tonehole need to be profiled to form bedplaces which is far more costly to do as well as to undo and revert back to ring keys (which I've seen done).
Leblanc offered full plateaux keywork LL A clarinets.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2026-06-24 19:47)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2026-06-25 00:47
DougR wrote:
> My A clarinet has become virtually unplayable due to RH
> arthritis and mis-aligned fingers. (The Bb is doable, but it's
> the increased space between the 1st and 2nd finger rings on the
> A that makes it problematic.)
>
> Nobody makes a plateau A clarinet, as far as I can tell. But I
> just ran across a post on FB that mentions 3D-printed finger
> wedges that presumably keep the fingers aligned correctly to
> cover the ring holes. That's all I know about it, no examples
> were provided, so my question is, IS THIS A THING?
So, there have been a couple of comments refuting the unavailability of plateau-keyed A clarinets, but those are expensive propositions for those of us who are trying to extend our playing years into our more senior years. Does anyone know anything about the finger wedges the OP asked about? It seems as if something that worked would be far less expensive than a new (maybe special-ordered) Übel or a totally refitted clarinet by Lohff & Pfeiffer.
I, for one aging player, really only need modifications to the thumb and index rings of my left hand.
Karl
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Author: DougR
Date: 2026-06-25 03:55
Hey Karl, I lost track of where on FB I saw the wedge comment, but hopefully someone will reply, and I'll be sure & update here on the BB when I find out more. --D
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-06-25 16:24
I assume they look like dorsal fins with radiused undersides that stick onto the joints in between the ring keys to act as guides for the fingertips, but only fitted in certain places as they can't be fitted where the sliver keys are.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: DougR
Date: 2026-06-25 16:58
Yeah, Chris, I'm having a little difficulty picturing them & figuring out how they could possibly work, but arthritis comes with a helping of desperation to keep playing, in my experience. In my particular case, a wedge on that first left-hand ring MIGHT work, but I imagine to avoid damaging the instrument, an entire piece (3 rings plus the bridge key) would have to be 3D printed, and does anybody do that?! Hopefully to be continued if I hear from the original commenter on FB.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2026-06-26 07:23
To the OP:
I would seek a consultation from a hand therapist. Hand therapy requires a special certification.Both occupational therapists (OTs) and physical therapists (PTs) can get certified.
A hand therapist can fabricate (or order) a custom-made resting splint to be worn at night (or during the day) that will be stretching specific muscles/tendons in order to position the finger(s).
I cannot see how one can play with something in between the fingers...but prolonged progressive stretching can help to align the fingers properly. Can take long time too (months).
Buying the plateau Uebel in A can be costly, esp. if not knowing that it will be used and for how long. However, I think it would not be too difficult to re-sell (at some loss of course) if it does not work out.
in New York City, NYC woodwinds are the official Uebel dealer.
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Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2026-06-26 07:35
Attachment: Complete Leblanc Clarinet Brochure.pdf (1853k)
Chris P wrote:
>
> Leblanc offered full plateaux keywork LL A clarinets.
>
>
> Post Edited (2026-06-24 19:47)
If Leblanc did, they stopped by the mid-90's printing of this brochure. They only offered the 1176PS (Plateau-Silver) in Bb, not A.
Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Ridenour Artist MT36 mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum black ligature (plate 1)
Vandoren Traditional #3.5 reeds
Brad Behn HR adjustable barrel
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-06-26 13:50
Bill Lewington's used to list them in their catalogue back in the '80s.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: DougR
Date: 2026-06-26 16:42
m1964: you're absolutely right. In fact, I'm working with a hand surgeon now about my "trigger thumb" and this is a perfect question to ask him. Even were I to find an add-on doohickey that would keep the forefinger in place over the hole, there'd be potential for repetitive-motion injury if the finger were so mis-aligned that undue stress would result.
Really smart comment. Thanks!
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