 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: R Simpson
Date: 2002-06-02 02:26
I have an old "no name" Albert sys. Bb Soprano Cl., that i bought in an antique store for $20. The pads are handmade, the corks are original, and the wood is a deep red color. I cant tell if the keys are nikel or silver, due to the excessive dullness. Does anyone have any tips on restoring the keys to make them shine? I also want to oil the keys, does anyone have any tips on that as well?
Thanks!
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-06-02 18:55
If it were mine, I'd either do-it-myself or find a competent restorer depending on its approximate age/"rarity" character. If it is a boxwood [sounds like] with ivory rings, I'd sure look for advice on www.groups.yahoo.com/group/earlyclarinet and engage a pro for restoration. Don
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Author: Dee
Date: 2002-06-03 02:19
If the keys are dull but don't have a noticeable black/dark gray tarnish, then they are more likely to be nickel rather than silver.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-06-03 03:22
In which case if you want them shiny they will have to be buffed. They will fairly quickly go dull again, like 'silver' coins. The buffing will destroy all soft materials, including the cork, which if original, as you suggest, is probably hard &/or powdery and should be replaced anyway.
There can be many complicated little problems incoved in restoring older instruments, where key alignment can be poor, spring design barely adequate, and pivots very sloppy, not to mention possibly chipped tone holes and rusted pivots.......
It is never just a matter of polishing &/or changing pads. Some of these can be among the most taxing (for a price) repair jobs for an experienced technician.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-06-03 14:53
Nickel silver more likely than nickel and probably neither silver nor silver plating...hmm?
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