 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: anonymou
Date: 2001-11-09 22:06
On Stubbins' clarinet, I noticed that he had some sort of a mechanism linking the C - sharp key and one of the left hand levers. What is the purpose of this, and has anybody seen this type of thing anywhere else?
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-11-09 22:16
Hmm. Don't quite follow this, Anonymous. Can you describe it a little more precisely or tell us where to find a pic?
- ron b -
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Author: Douglas
Date: 2001-11-09 22:29
I think you are talking about the S-K mechanism. The S-K stood for Stubbins-Kaspar and was a mechanism designed with Frank L. Kaspar then of Ann Arbor, MI where Stubbins taught at the U of M. It was an automatic throat Bb mechanism very similar to what is now on bass clarinets and appeared on the Subbins model Noblet clarinet.
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Author: anonymous
Date: 2001-11-10 01:34
If I have time, I'll try to scan in a picture of it, but I'll try to do better with my description.
Instead of a C#/G# key that only has mechanism on the upper joint, this clarinet had another lever attached to the C#/G# key. The lever, has sort of a backwards s shape, and runs from the C#/G# key to one of the left hand keys on the lower joint. This lever is very thin - thinner than the Bb/B trill key on the lower joint. I know this isn't much better...sorry...I'll have to try to get the pic up.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-11-10 15:06
As you described it quite well, Anon, I believe what you have is the addition of the well-known articulated C#/G# mechanism, a first step toward a Full Boehm clarinet [20 keys/7 rings] from the usual 17/6, to a "Stubbins" [by Noblet?] clarinet. My "S" #324xx has only the S-K pinch Bb mechanism, which is a simplified version of that shown in US Patent 2,508,550 of 1950, yes KaspAr is the assignee of a half interest. We have discussed the "Full Boehm" clarinets several times on our BB if you wish to look for it. Don
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-11-10 16:00
Anonymous -
Is there a tone hole through the middle tenon?
- ron b -
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Author: Anonymous
Date: 2001-11-11 05:09
Ron, there is no tone hole though the middle tenon.
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Author: anonymous
Date: 2001-11-11 19:14
I still haven't had time to scan one in, but if anyone has The Art of Clarinetistry by Stubbins, there are pictures of him holding his clarinet. You can see it in there.
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Author: Larry Liberson
Date: 2001-11-12 03:15
I studied with William Stubbins for several years in the early 70's (he passed away in 1975, if my memory serves me correctly). He would often have different prototypes in the studio (key mechanisms, added tone holes,etc.).
The extension hanging from the C#-G# key was, I believe, to also depress the left hand F#-C# lever so that it would further vent the C#-G#, the reason being to improve the clarity and pitch.
It was most definitely not an articulated C#-G#.
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Author: Larry Liberson
Date: 2001-11-12 03:21
Oops! I wrote down the wrong key!
It depressed the E-B key!
(Sorry--it's been a long day!)
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2001-11-12 03:31
Larry,
Now I am confused. Opening the F#-C# lever would further vent the C#-G#, but closing the E-B key would not furnther vent that note, it seems to me it would do just the opposite. I don't have the book so I am looking forward to a clear scan to clear away the fog!
Thanks, Terry
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Author: Larry Liberson
Date: 2001-11-12 13:12
Duhhhh...of course, you're correct, Terry. My wording was confusing (well...wrong!) as the E-B lever doesn't vent.
However, what RESULTS is what I meant to convey: supposed improved clarity and pitch. According to Stubbins, when depressing the E-B key while playing the C#, the pitch is lowered and the resonance is improved. Whether that's what one desires is another matter!
Hope this helps the fog. Anyway, the sun is shining here..... 
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-11-12 17:28
Well done, fellas, I agree its NOT an Artic., but prob. is an alternative fingering "banana" key [plus more function?], like the Artic. may provide. I'd guess its primary function is to provide a Rt first finger trill for C#/G# which is much better than the Lt little finger for trilling. Still interesting and it speaks to Stubbin's ingenuity. I'll look for additional patented ideas by him. Don
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-11-12 20:15
Larry L - From a quick patent look, the only other Stubbins pat I found was co-invented by Vito Pascucci [LeBlanc] assigned to LeB US 3,791,253 [1974] "Cl M P w: improved Lig." , a ligature patent. Thot it might be of interest because of acquaintance. Don
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