The Clarinet BBoard  
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Author: Ryan K  
Date:   2007-10-25 20:29 
 I know you usually have to buy a clarinet with a low Eb key, but is there any possibilities to add keys to a clarinet. A left hand Eb? Bis Key? Any others?
  
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Author: pelo_ensortijado  
Date:   2007-10-25 20:55 
 it is possible to do. i have talked to a tech who is figuring out something right now..... 
 
why doesn't all buffet clarinets come with the Eb key? its just stupid to only have it on the prestigeclarinets.... I WANT ONE!!!!! :D 
 
  
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Author: skygardener  
Date:   2007-10-25 21:20 
 A few years ago I saw a product on a German clarinet maker's website for this.  You put it between the lowerjoint and the bell.  It had 1 key that was operated by the thumb key that is standard on german clarinets.
  
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Author: Chris P  
Date:   2007-10-25 21:44 
 I've fitted a LH Eb to my plastic Yamaha as well as the forked Bb mechanism to the top joint with a ring for LH finger 3 (so Eb/Bb can be played as xox|ooo). 
 
Stephen Fox offers a Bis key that is held in place with a grub screw, as well as a C#/G# key extention that allows the C#/G# to be operated by RH 1. 
 
Former oboe finisher  
Howarth of London 
1998 - 2010 
 
Independent Woodwind Repairer  
Single and Double Reed Specialist 
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes 
 
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R. 
 
The opinions I express are my own.
  
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Author: Michelle  
Date:   2007-10-26 03:15 
 I have been moderately obsessed with getting a clarinet with these "extra" keys for some time, mostly because I have gotten used to them on my (former) alto clarinet and my bass clarinet.  Budget prevented me from buying a new clarinet "to order" so I went used - I got an Amati 515, the full-boehm in Mopani wood.   
I read the reviews before I bought - I read all the threads here related to mopani and Amati professional clarinets, and I have to agree with the consensus - this is a fully professional instrument, after some mild but judicious "tweaking" and a long mouthpiece and reed search.   
It is much pickier about mouthpieces than any instrument I have ever played, but once you find the magic button - WOW.  It likes a softer reed, but these last few weeks have been so much fun because I found the right combination for me and for this clarinet.  It has a beautiful mellow sound.  AND, bonus - it has the extra keys I wanted.   
That's my recommendation for a full-boehm option - try a professional Amati.  Be prepared to pay far less than you would expect for a professional clarinet, put a little of your savings into a good tech, and PLAY.   
 
Good luck, and enjoy... 
Michelle
  
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