 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: ceri
Date: 2014-08-17 18:01
I had my oboe serviced about 10 days ago. The only thing that was obviously wrong with it was that the Bb key on the top joint sometimes doesn't lift immediately. I told the repairer this, he said he had fixed it and it seemed OK when I picked it up. However, it has just started doing it again.
I can't take it back to the repairer before the end of October (different country), is there anything I can do myself?
It is a Howarths XL conservatoire system.
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Author: huboboe
Date: 2014-08-18 01:00
Hold the RH 1st finger down and close the Bb with your finger. If it pops up late when you release your fingrer the pad is dirty or gummy. Dirty pads are almost always the source of late response.
Try slipping the corner of a well used dollar bill under the pad, press lightly and pull the bill out to clean the pad. Better yes, moisten the bill with rubbing alcohol first.
Robert Hubbard
WestwindDoubleReed.com
1-888-579-6020
bob@westwinddoublereed.com
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Author: ceri
Date: 2014-08-18 02:14
I've already tried with a banknote (not a dollar because I'm not in the US) and it hasn't made any difference. I'll try with some alcohol tomorrow.
What I don't understand (if it's a sticky pad) is why the C is not also a problem. Why does the Bb key lift with the C key when I play a C but not by itself when I play a Bb?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-08-18 02:37
Both the top joint Bb and C keys are lightly sprung open and the C key is applying pressure to the Bb key when it's released, so both will open when you play C due to the extra spring pressure from the C key transferred to the Bb key.
It could be several things - the spring tension may be weak on the Bb key, the spring might not be fully engaged in its cradle, the key barrel could be binding on the screw or between the pillar and the LH3 fingerplate barrel.
The only way to diagnose and cure this is to have it seen by an oboe specialist - it's probably something very simple and can be sorted out in around 30 minutes (as they usually are) but still annoying to put up with while it happens.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2014-08-18 07:58
If it is the pad sticking and not the rod binding, try storing it with a small piece of card underneath it. I have this problem occasionally on my 2nd octave key, and this stops it the next time I play it.
Rachel
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Author: jhoyla
Date: 2014-08-18 10:46
Chris has listed all the possibilities, so now it is down to your observation skills.
Wedge open the con-bar and with the top joint only, finger 'A' and then press down lightly on the little Bb pad. Watch the whole mechanism as it acts and try to see where it is sticking. Is it sluggish through the whole action, or is it just sticking down, and flips up once free? This will help you narrow down the cause.
If it is sluggish throughout the motion the cause can be either the key binding to the rod or posts, or by a weak spring. In either of these cases you should probably take it to an oboe specialist repair person.
If it is sticking, there are two possibilities - either the pad surface is sticking to the tone-hole crown, or an adjustment screw has dug itself a little socket in a cork.
Place a single layer of teflon tape over the tone-hole and see if it still sticks? If not, you can try coating a piece of cigarette paper or a banknote with graphite from a 4B pencil and slide it under the pad. Push down on the pad gently, and draw the paper away. Does this help?
Take a really careful look at the cork under the adjustment screw that is just below and to the left of the RH middle-finger key (looking straight at the vertical top joint). Has the adjustment screw created a little socket for itself in the cork, and is sticking inside? Is the cork sticky with oil or gunge? If so it probably needs replacing. Consider replacing the adjustment screw with a nylon-tipped screw without cork.
As a preventative measure against sticky pads, it is advisable to make a cork wedge to prop open the con-bar (the connecting rod to the 2nd joint that opens Bb and C) so that the pads stand open when the instrument is put away. This simple trick can be a life-saver, since the pad is sure to dry out fully. Thumbplate oboes naturally stand open and rarely have this problem.
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Author: huboboe
Date: 2014-08-19 09:41
As always, Chris is the master. I went for the obvious. He went for the probable. We're lucky to have him in the forum...
Robert Hubbard
WestwindDoubleReed.com
1-888-579-6020
bob@westwinddoublereed.com
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