 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ClariTone
Date: 2007-01-17 02:17
Hello
Was just practicing and had a quick thought. I noticed one of my screws had worked its way out a little, and having not noticed this before wondered, do you need to routinely tighten your screws until you feel the slightest bit of resistance, or is this harmful. I know the A/G# key screw at the top (if tightened) will prevent the clarinet from playing at all (just squeaks), but on the other screws should you go over them with a small screwdriver and just snug them up a bit?
Thanks!!!
Clayton
Edited for spelling...guess I just need to s-l-o-w d-o-w-n...
Post Edited (2007-01-18 23:44)
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Author: SVClarinet09
Date: 2007-01-17 02:36
Well the A/G# key screw your talking about must be the one to adjust key height, if so you're correct. I don't see any harm in tightening screws. Mine come loose and I always tighten them, although on some keys I don't like them tightened all the way
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-01-17 07:40
There are no screws on clarinets that adjust key height (unless you have a Marigaux!) - the only adjusting screw you're most likely to see is the one to adjust the amount of play between the G# and A keys, and there should always be a tiny bit of play between them.
Key height is only adjusted by altering the cork and felt thickness, and by bending keys.
There are some screws you can tighten up without the risk of the keys binding up - the speaker key, throat G# and A keys, the side keys, the cross Eb 'sliver' key and the C#/G# key on the top joint, and the LH levers and F/C and Ab/Eb keys on the bottom joint.
Where you have point screws, these usually have some degree of adjustment in them so you can tighten up the action on longer keys if you feel there's too much end play - but on plastic clarinets fitted with point screws, don't tighten them up so the keys have no end play as they'll all bind up when it's cold. The top joint rings are mounted between points as well, only the screw passing through the upper ring barrel has a point on the end and on some clarinets this screw has some amount of adjustment, as does the point screw on the double-headed pillar that supports both the C#/G# key and the 2nd finger ring.
Pivot screws (found on Bundy and B&H clarinets) can be tightened as the bearing surface is parallel.
B&H 1010 clarinets have rod screws throughout, so these can all be tightened.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2007-01-18 07:08)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2007-01-17 11:37
Clayton,
Here's my guess......but first.....I think that you are refering to two different rods simultaneously, the "A" key and the "G#" key. As for Melvin and Chris P., pretty much every standard Boehm has an adjustment screw on the top of the "A" key but I seriously doubt anyone would tighten that one indiscriminately.
Now, to the tightening thing. It's probably a good idea to check every so often to make sure pivots and rods are securely in place. If they are working themselves out, chances are the keys need re-oiling which should be done once a month anyway.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: ClariTone
Date: 2007-01-17 22:43
Okay, so is it all right to go over the horn and tighten the screws until I feel a snug resistance, or would this be a serious no-no???
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Author: clarinerd
Date: 2007-01-17 23:07
Claritone
As Chris P has pointed out, it depends on the clarinet you have. Tightening the screws all the way on your clarinet is fine as long as they move freely after they are completely tightend (no binding).
Let us know how it works out. By the way, what kind of clarinet do you have? Maybe somebody on the board could tell you what to do based on the brand. Chris has already mentioned a few things based on various clarinets.
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Author: mk
Date: 2007-01-18 01:52
Clarinets change in dimensional size quite radically at times due to enviornmental influences such as humidity, atomospheric pressure, etc. If the clarinet shrinks keys can bind between posts. IF the clarinet expands, the acutal key mechanism can loosen slightly. In addtion, clarinets are mechincal devices that are for the most part quite crude from an engineering standpoint, so just like a car things begin to loosen over time.
Minimal maintence requires the lubrication between posts and a check to make sure the screws are snug, which most of the time will keep the screws from falling out.
When the instrument is checked by a competent repair person, issues of play between the keys is addressed if ncessary and naturally all screws are checked for tightness
Remember that clarinets are not great machines, but thats not what they are all about....
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-01-18 15:05
I'm of the opinion that using the word "tightening" presents the wrong image. Lug nuts on auto wheels must be tightened but clarinet screws should only be caressed. You should scan all the screws frequently to see if any are protruding which would be an indication they are coming loose.
Bob Draznik
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Author: sherman
Date: 2007-01-18 17:20
Interesting use of the word caressed, creates absolutely no image.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-01-18 18:58
[ snipped - GBK ]
What would be the proper term for "tighten ever so lightly, with the scredriver just between the tips of thumb and first finger"?
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2007-01-18 20:07
A very comprehensive discussion Chris P, and valuable additions, Paul, mk and others. I'd add that a semi-annual key "screw" check-up would be a good time to Lightly oil the pivot points. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: ClariTone
Date: 2007-01-18 23:50
BobD - Hhmm...well in that case I guess I will be giving my clarinet a massage tonight!!!
I have a LeBlanc Opus, if that helps...my instructor thought it would be fine to "caress" my screws...however, I think I will discuss it with my repairman before I actually do anything.
How do you know if the keys are "binding"...I've never heard the term used like that...any thoughts???
Thanks!!!
Clayton
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Author: mk
Date: 2007-01-19 03:38
let me get back to the example of a car.....if you look at car repair manual you will see torque specifications for many bolts used in different applications. These specifications are usually expressed in terms of foot-pounds (american system). I would highly doubt that clarinet manufacturers have suggested torqueing specifications so i am back to my original premise that clarinets are very poor examples of engineering mastery....but it doesn't matter!!!! thats just it. Clarinets are fragile instruments that should be handled as such...but listen to this suggestion...if you over tighten you could possibly cause the mechanism to bind and you will know if immediately (binding means the mechanism freezes and doesn't move) ...so whats the big deal.....back it out a little until if frees up, and if it continues to loosen write me and i will give you a fix....one more thing....first one to tell me what kind of oil was recommended by the late famous woodwind repairman from philadelphia gets a prize. (hint: his first name is Hans and the oil was designed for clock lubrication)
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Author: Escsrc
Date: 2007-01-19 03:58
They're binding if they aren't moving like you want them to. If you over-tighten and its annoying to relax the screw again, then thats also a sign of binding.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-01-19 06:30
If rod screws cause the keys to bind when tightened, there could be a burr on the end of the key barrel by the thread, there could be a burr on the screw itself, the screw could be bent, the key barrel could be bent or the pillar (with the thread) could be out of alignment.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2007-01-19 17:08
sherman wrote:
> "Stroke" woud be a better term.
I personally think , as a professional mechanic during 1972-1978, that "caress" was a much better term.
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Author: ClariTone
Date: 2007-01-19 23:55
Oh, alright. I get it!!! No, definitely no binding. Had an audition today and kicked butt...my intonation seems more consistant after caressing my screws...or maybe it just seems that way...
Thanks Again to all who have provided input!!!
Clayton
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2007-01-20 02:23
sherman wrote:
> did you work on many clarinets, Mark?
Things as and more delicate than any clarinet, Sherman, but yes, I do work on my and other's clarinets for basic maintenance and repair.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2007-01-20 02:30
mk wrote:
> lfirst one to tell me what
> kind of oil was recommended by the late famous woodwind
> repairman from philadelphia gets a prize.
Too easy. Was it the Plain, Synthetic, Fulcrum, Watch, or Electric Clock oil??
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