 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: John
Date: 2002-11-26 20:48
I recently acquired a Bundy Contra Alto which will not produce a good tone (almost none) using the lower RH side key (Eb/D#). The cork has been sanded to open up the pad more, and I have inspected the hole to make sure there is no obstruction partially blocking the hole. The rest of the horn seems to be in good working order, just one key seems to be the trouble. Any ideas?
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-11-26 21:33
John -
How does the "sliver" key for the left ring finger work? If it works OK, then there's definitely something wrong.
One possibility is that there's something in the bore or the hole, which you can't see from the outside, that's interfering with the side key's venting. Look up the bore, or take the side key off and stick your finger in the hole.
The side key may be rubbing against something. Check whether it's pulling the second side key open, or pushing the left ring finger pad or the bridge key closed.
It's also possible that a key or a post is loose, and pressing the side key pushes the mechanism out of alignment.
Let us know what you find.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-11-26 23:10
By saying "acquired" can I assume the beast is out of warranty?
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-11-27 07:43
The Bundy contra alto clarinet is a great instrument, especially for the money. They sound wonderful and are quite well in tune.
The register key mechanism is a possible source of leaks. Good luck.
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2002-11-27 12:33
To expand slightly on Wes' post, there may be a leak somewhere else on the instrument that, for some reason, has little effect on other notes, but a noticeable effect on that one.
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Author: John
Date: 2002-11-27 19:51
Thanks, everybody, for your suggestions. I have tried all of them, but so far the problem still seems to persist. The "sliver" key for the left ring finger does work and produces a good strong tone. I have looked again at the hole and bore and am sure there are no obstructions. I have checked for the side key rubbing against the second side key with no results. I took apart the tube in the middle and put air pressure on the upper joint, and it seems to be fairly tight. Also, the key and posts all seem not to be loose. The register key seemed to hold air when I applied air pressure. I have about decided that I will have to break a life-long habit of playing Eb/D# with the side key and when playing this horn use an alternative fingering. I hope my little brain won't be overly taxed. Thanks again for all the good ideas!
Appreciatively, John Dollar
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2002-11-28 02:39
It could simply be a bad note on the horn, similar to the awful throat Bb's on some instruments. I know that the Throat F# is horrendous on <i>my</i> contra
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Author: John
Date: 2002-11-29 15:37
Bingo!!! The mystery is solved for the stubborn side key. I started sanding the cork away, and the more I sanded, the better it sounded. There is now only a thin sliver of cork left under the key and the note sounds very nice. I had taken off some of the cork before, but not enough. Apparently the cork had been replaced by the previous owner, but not adjusted for thickness. Just thought you would like to know. -- John
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