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Re: C# Articulated mechanism?

Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-08-04 19:06

Sometimes with articulated C# keys, the C# pad cup can become tight between the pillars causing the key to bind. This happened a lot with my Yamaha when playing in cold and dry places, and the remedy was to allow some sideways movement between the pillars by fraising the barrel. So when the pillars pulled in, the C# would still work.

This is normal procedure with binding cross keys - these are keys that are mounted between two pillars on a steel rod screw going across the body, and on wooden oboes it's fairly common for cross keys to bind up due to climatic conditions. Preventative measures can be taken by the finishers to be sure there's a small amount of end play between the cross keys and their pillars - by end play I mean the key can slide sideways by a small amount on the steel, and shouldn't rock or wobble sideways.

On plastic oboes, cold temperatures will cause the plastic to shrink in all directions so all the keys will need a certain amount of play relative to their length to prevent the keywork binding while playing in cold conditions.

The C# touch is mounted on a steel with the touch screwed to the top end and the actuating lever screwed to the lower with the RH Eb key in the middle, free to actuate the Eb pad without influence on the C# key. The ends of the steel are mounted between two pillars on point screws which carry the C#/Eb keys, and if the point screws are tight on the steel, it will cause the C# to remain open once pressed. And a bent RH Eb key can do the same thing. But it's easy to straighten out or free up if the Eb key gets bent or the oint screws are binding.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

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C# Articulated mechanism? new

cjwright

2007-08-01 01:36