 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: beejay
Date: 2002-04-01 14:03
I have a pesky problem with my basset horn that is not improving with time. The instrument has a rocker mechanism on the register key, which controls two pads. When condensation builds up in the instrument, one pad or the other sticks, meaning that either the throat Bflat comes out very stuffy and flat, or the clarion notes will not play at all until I flip the pad directly with my finger.When I take it to a technician, however, the instrument always plays flawlessly. Has anyone had the same experience, and if so, is there a cure?
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-04-01 15:09
While I have never had your exact problem, sticky pads anywhere on an instrumentt can be extremely annoying to say the least. If the problem is not cured by having your technician clean the pads and their holes thoroughly, the pads may need to be replaced, perhaps with pads of some other material. Adjusting spring strengths also could make an important difference. Your accurate description of the problem should be enough to go on; it should not be necessary to duplicate the problem while the instrument is in the technician's hands.
Regards,
John
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Author: Ken Lustgarten
Date: 2002-04-01 16:38
Problem pads can be replaced with cork ones. The cork doesn't draw moisture like other pads do. Also I have read but haven't tried yet is cigarette paper, when the pad becomes wet insert the paper under the key and gently press the key down so that the paper absorbs the water. I am going to have to give this a shot because I have the same problem with the A key on my clarinet.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-04-01 17:27
Backup emphasis to Ken's advice: Use cork pads on register key(s) whenever possible
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Author: Forest Aten
Date: 2002-04-01 21:44
All suggestions above very good. But it might not be sticky pads. As the clarinet warms, the distance between posts might be changing....this causing a key rod to bind between two posts. This might explain why it works when you go to the repair shop and play the "cold" clarinet for the tech. this is not uncommon on the upper joint keywork on larger clarinets.
Spring tensions could also be the culprit. On any two register vent clarinet you will have at least two springs that work in opposition that need perfect adjustment. This fulcrum system is fussy at times and once out of balance the spring adjustment may need careful attention. Care and knowledge is 'key' to success in this dealing with the spring issue.
Just a few thoughts.
F. Aten
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-04-02 01:53
These are great ideas. If you live in the Los Angeles area, perhaps you would be interested in basset horn duets sometime???
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Author: graham
Date: 2002-04-02 09:49
Beejay
The bit that sticks on my Buffet Basset Horn is the lower of the two C/F pads in the lower joint (the one shutting the very small tone hole.) As you say, it occurs with condensation and it takes a while for the problem to set on. I can only imagine a change of pad might fix it. I do not have the same problem with the lower speaker hole. On the other hand, that used to cause a different problem, namely that it would not shut securely when going into the upper reaches of the upper register (until condensation had built up!!). That problem seems to have gone away (I don't know why).
At root the problem is that the rocker mechanism is a little too weak. It needs a heavier spring, but i think that is a design issue, and i cannot see how it could be fixed, unless the little leaf spring could be upgraded without throwing the whole thing out. Sorry i have not suggested a real solution.
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Author: beejay
Date: 2002-04-02 10:17
Many thanks for your suggestions, which I'm going to take back to the technician this week. The technician already replaced the pads with cork, so I'll ask him to take a look at the spring this time. I love the idea of Basset horn duets -- in fact I'm working on some beautiful pieces by John Mahon. But unfortunately Paris is a long way from LA.
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Author: allencole@jamschool.net
Date: 2002-04-02 23:17
Do you have leather pads? I've had several students with new saxophones report sticky pads, and one heard on the internet that some of the problem was due to a dye used in the leather. I have yet to confirm this from a reputable source, but I have similar problems with sensitive register keys (with little leather pads) on a Yamaha bari sax.
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