 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: growlingbunny910
Date: 2004-03-11 16:51
I have a Buffet R-13 with silver keys. One one the keys has lost its silver plating. Does anyone know where I can go to get a replacement key?
Thanks
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Author: hans
Date: 2004-03-11 16:57
It should not be difficult to get it replated. Your repair tech can get it done for you.
Regards,
Hans
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Author: mw
Date: 2004-03-12 04:01
How old is the R13 ? TMG/Buffet Crampon may agree to replate under the Platinum service "policy". In fact, even it its clearly out of warranty, "BC" might just do it for grins, too. If it's through no fault of your own & the plating has worn in a manner that justifies a higher level of customer service - magic can happen! One thing about Buffet, they have superior & excellent customer service people. (sometimes it may not appear so but look thee at thy Dealer!). best, mw
Post Edited (2004-03-15 18:14)
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Author: William
Date: 2004-03-12 14:35
Are you certain it is silver and not nickel?? All of my clarinets are in silver--with one in gold--and non of my keys has shown any wear whatsoever. And I play my instruments a lot--just ask my wife and neighbors. But in any case, a repair (replate job) is easy and not too expensive. Most repair shops will have to send the key "in" to a replating company but maybe you could get a replacement clarinet to use while yours is out of commission.
Nickle, silver, gold, whatever!!--in any case, no need to replace the key. Just have it replated via your local repairperson tech.
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Author: growlingbunny910
Date: 2004-03-12 23:35
one of the keys, just one, almost immediately lost its silver plating, all the rest are fine and holding up well.
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Author: davor
Date: 2004-03-14 23:28
How would you like to have 1 or 2 black teeth in your mouth? Would you repare them, or why should you do it anyway?
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-03-15 06:59
Quote:
How would you like to have 1 or 2 black teeth in your mouth? Would you repare them, or why should you do it anyway? I think a better analogy would be if you were missing a molar or wisdom tooth. Because hardly anyone is going to notice it (same with clarinet) and you will still be able to function fine (same with clarinet).
Black teeth is more of a health issue and people will notice and look down upon that right away. If I was missing a wisdom tooth (which BTW I'm missing two), I wouldn't care since it wouldn't take away from my masticating performance and hardly anyone is going to notice it. It just isn't enough to justify the time and money spent to get them 'replaced'
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: growlingbunny910
Date: 2004-03-15 11:46
sfalexi.......you are saying, don't worry about some missing silver plating, just play the beast and enjoy it. Correct/
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-03-15 13:41
Quote:
sfalexi.......you are saying, don't worry about some missing silver plating, just play the beast and enjoy it. Correct/ Yup. The plating doesn't affect the sound of the instrument. So if it were me personally, I wouldn't care about the plating. However if you DO have the money and don't mind spending money and waiting for it to get replated, I can't stop you. To me on the other hand, plating is the absolute LEAST of my clarinet worries.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-03-15 14:03
I can't imagine how just one key would lose all of its plating. Must be something more to it. My above comment assumed that the silver was worn just from the area where a finger was touching it.
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Author: growlingbunny910
Date: 2004-03-15 14:09
BobD.....
That is what is weird, it just came off one key. Makes one think the plating on that key was defective..........
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Author: mw
Date: 2004-03-15 16:43
YES, there is a copper colored pre-plating finish (which acts like a primer). The SILVER plating is supposed to adhere to the copper colored pre-plating finish which in turn adheres to the base metal.
Something went wrong. Buffet will fix it. They might even be willing to send a key which can be installed at your dealer & the dealer can send back (or just keep) the now-UN-plated key- all at no cost to you, I'll wager.
If you spend a lot of money on something, it always makes sense to keep it in proper condition. Do you buy a new car & never wash it?
When you own something procured at little cost to you, that is a horse of a different color. I wouldn't replate a key on a junk horn either. However, nor would I take other stop gap measures (tape or floss to act as "cork" or rubber band to keep a key closed, acting a a "spring", etc.) for a lengthy time on a nice horn - I like to keep my property nice - that's called pride of ownership.
If this is a JUNK R-13 w/mismatched parts, keys which are tarnished & it will need a repad in the near future - fine - don't replate it. If its a nice clarinet, keep it nice. Particularly when it may require only a little effort on your part (to get to your retail store) but NO $$.
best of luck,
mw
Post Edited (2004-03-15 18:13)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-03-15 18:47
"How would you like to have 1 or 2 black teeth in your mouth? Would you repare them, or why should you do it anyway?"
Well actually I've only got 5 of my original teeth anyway so I wouldn't object to a couple of black ones....after all my clarinet is black.
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Author: davor
Date: 2004-03-16 21:23
That´s because you have not repaired them when you supposed to.
Can you imagine what could happen with his keys if he does the same thing?
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Author: growlingbunny910
Date: 2004-03-16 23:58
Just to clarify...this clarinet is 4 months old, so maintenance is NOT the issue.......the kep plating on just one key can off in a few weeks......all the other keys are in great shape
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Author: mw
Date: 2004-03-18 22:42
Dear g.Bunny,
If your Buffet R13 is just 4 months old, WARRANTY IS THE ISSUE. You should get it fixed. That is why the Manufacturer provided you with a warranty (uhh - not really, but it's the manner in which you approach use of your instrument's warranty).
[[ NOW, when you get it serviced under Buffet's Warranty you might also get some other neat "freebie" services if you are a good & loyal subject! You are a loyal subject to the BC Crown, right? ]]
If you bought your clarinet "off the shelf" at a retail establishment, I'll bet you have:
1. (some) leaking pads
2. keywork that needs swedging or alignment adjustments
3. noisy keywork & pads
4. possible tuning issues with key heights, etc.
I am willing to bet this is the case - unless your clarinet was Brannenized, Clarkerized, Fowlerized or received a special upgrade service from your dealer at purchase.
I am NOT trying to be difficult - I am trying to help you.
best,
mw
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Author: Steve B.
Date: 2004-03-19 20:08
Does anyone know what year Buffet switched from the Nickel (German) Silver keywork to the Nickel or Silver plating option.
Regards,
Steve
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-03-19 21:29
Don't know Steve. I suppose Buffet marketed horns with unplated NiSilver keys at one time as many makers did. I had a horn in 1939 with unplated NiSilver keys. There's nothing wrong with unplated NiSilver keys as far as I'm concerned but they don't have great cosmetic appeal.....nor does Pewter, for that matter.
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Author: mw
Date: 2004-03-20 06:35
"Does anyone know what year Buffet switched from the Nickel (German) Silver keywork to the Nickel or Silver plating option."
-------------------------------------------------
Look to BC serial numbers pre-75,xxx is what I have been told. Of course, don't you know, I have seen R13's which have nickel or silver plated keywork on serial numbers in that range. Of course, how would one know if the the unplated keys were plated over after purchase by a new owner? best, mw
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Author: yaseungkim
Date: 2015-02-06 00:18
My son has had his R13 for just a year, the nickel plating came off of 5 different keys. I called Buffet folks and they told me it is not covered under warranty. I now have to pay for the replating/replacement.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-02-06 02:17
There is probably no way to know if you have particularly high acidity in your sweat until you have a situation like this come up. Replating is expensive because you must include the price of a complete overhaul as well (all the pads and corks come off the keys to do this).
I will go ahead and boldly suggest the following: Start the habit of wiping off the keys after finishing playing for the day (each and every day). The best cloth would be 100% cotton flannel. You want to avoid polishing clothes because they contain grit or chemicals (or both) that actually take off material and speed up the process of losing the plating.
The religious wiping off of finger oils from the keys WILL help stop this problem from getting worse, but without it, it WILL get worse.
Chances are your son will have other clarinets in his career if he sticks with it. You could consider gold plated, or very heavily silver plated keys (10 microns or more) on future clarinets.
Don't sweat this one, everyone is learning.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: pewd
Date: 2015-02-06 03:09
Just to be sure - this is a genuine R-13 bought from a dealer or music store, and not off the internet?
There are a lot of counterfeit R13's showing up lately.
I saw one a few days ago that had 'R13' painted on the top joint and also on the Bell. An obvious fake.
In any event, its under warranty , take it to a certified buffet dealer (most music stores), it should get taken care of.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-02-06 03:36
The top and bottom joints have a five year replacement guarantee in the event of a catastrophic crack. However I am pretty sure that the poster is correct in the knowledge that key plating is not.
..........Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-02-06 03:50
Nickel plate is a lot thinner than silver plate, so it will wear though very quickly if your skin pH level is low (acidic).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: yaseungkim
Date: 2015-02-06 19:52
I posted my comments because I did not want people to spread wrong information on what is covered under warranty and what is not. Key plating is not covered on Buffet R13 according to Buffet people.
Also, if nickel is coming off the keys, nickel is toxic to your health. Just because it is been used for xy@# years does not mean it is safe.
I am getting nickel keys replaced with silver, and never again buy Buffet.
For my son's auditions and competitions, I went ahead and bought Yamaha CSV in Key of A with silver keys. Needless to say, my son is very happy with his Yamaha A clarinet. Mozart sounds so beautiful on my 12 year old son's Yamaha clarinet.
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