 The Oboe BBoard
|
Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2014-04-29 22:54
My Fox 520 EH was fine on Sunday night at rehearsal. Got it out Monday, and it was really hard to blow, low notes not speaking easily (which is unusual for this instrument).
Took a look at it today, and can't see anything obviously wrong, but it appears something is screwed up with the half-hole mechanism, as the upper register notes which require the half hole are speaking as if they were an octave lower.
Any ideas what's wrong/how to fix it? OF COURSE, this would be the week of three concerts!
Susan
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-04-29 23:20
Check the trill keys on the top joint to be sure neither are being held open.
Sometimes the lower trill beam pillar can rotate slightly causing the trill beam (the long rod with both the LH B-C# and C-D trill touches on it) to bind so the upper trill pad cup is being held open. If the D trill key is being held open, this will be similar to the LH1 vent being left open.
Another problem could be the RH C-D trill key linkage having got bent upwards and thereby keeping the C-D trill key pad slightly open.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2014-04-29 23:50)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2014-04-30 07:52
Thanx, Chris. I will check those.
Figured out (with some telephone help from local repairpersons) that the half-hole problem was that the lever under the top segment of the half-hole mechanism was completely stuck to the touch key. Don't know why. It just glued itself to the key, and took force to break it away.
Low notes are still balky, but we are having WEATHER here that could account for that, what with much moisture in the air probably causing reeds to thicken up. But I do believe the concerts are saved!
Susan
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jhoyla
Date: 2014-04-30 10:00
The top of the half-hole digs itself into the cork on the underside of the to-plate. As a general rule you should try for a very light touch on the upper plate (LH index finger).
Should be simple to fix with a new strip of cork, and any repairer should be able to do this (provided he can get the tricky mechanism back together again with all the springs engaged).
@chris, have you tried using gasket material instead of cork here? It's a perennial problem.
J.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-04-30 20:06
I use thinly sliced cork there so there's less chance of it digging in and getting stuck and sometimes thinly sliced cork laminated with gasket cork if the thickness (due to the gap in between the plates) requires that.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JohnW
Date: 2014-05-04 21:09
It may be worth while to put a little cork grease on that pad to prevent adhesion. Peter Hurd recommends using pure lanolin instead of cork grease, and that would work too.
The lanolin I use is Lansinoh HPA Lanolin. Find it in the nursing mothers section of a drug store.
My cor has new and fairly tight corks on the joints, and the lanolin results in less force required to assemble/disassemble than regular cork grease.
Let us know if that helps.
JohnW
amateur adult beginner, oboe and cor
www.OboeHobo.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-05-05 01:23
Grease will make pads stick, so don't do that - your best bet is to remove the key and clean the pad with methylated spirits on a cotton bud (Q-tip) to remove any traces of grease.
But if a cork pad has a deep impression in it and catches on the aperture, something firmer that's less likely to be chewed through is best all round - prevention is better than cure. Also checking the aperture hasn't got a burr around the outside edge as that will catch on a pad that has a deep impression.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: oboegy
Date: 2014-05-05 05:51
Hi Susan,
I previously had this exact same problem a couple of times with my Fox 500 EH in the more humid periods of the year. It seems lingering moisture can emerge from the half hole and then sometimes cause some amount of adherence between the lower half hole plate and the cork it rests up against most all of the time when closed.
My solution since then has been to always slip a piece of cigarette paper between the upper plate and lower half hole mechanism when putting the instrument away. This wicks up any residual moisture and has precluded any recurrence of the issue.
George
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2014-05-05 16:18
Thanks for the comments and tips, folks. I haven't had any more problems, but do see a discoloration where some moisture has trickled out around the half-hole plate mechanism, and I imagine that is what created the problem.
Funny, I have never had any problem at all with the EH getting water, but lately I have been playing it for several hours at a stretch (in a trio of flute/EH/cello, which is a very lovely combination of sounds), and I have had some water issues. Always thrilled when I see a puddle on the floor after the first 10 minutes or so of playing -- it means the condensation is running through, rather than into the tone holes!
Susan
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
