 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarimad
Date: 2010-04-02 19:56
Any suggestions on how to remove the bell that is stuck fast on a Bb? Both are in grenadilla - help!!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-04-02 20:00
Stand the lower joint and bell up on a table (place a cloth on the table first so the bell doesn't get damaged!), hold the bell flare tight and gently rock the lower joint while twisting/pulling at the same time. That should free it.
Then have your tech refit the lower joint tenon so it doesn't stick again as soon as you can.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-04-02 20:21
This is fairly common on new clarinets (for some reason, especially R13 models). Get the joint adjusted ASAP. If you can't get the two parts separated, take it to a shop (you'll ahve to do that anyway!) and have the tech get them apart. Once they're apart, have the instrument fitted properly.
Jeff
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Author: kdk
Date: 2010-04-03 18:25
If this is stored in a case with the bell left on, it may not be a problem of the fit so much as the time it's been together without being disassembled or even moved. I had a bell stick badly a year or so ago - the instrument is over 30 years old, so hardly new, and once I got it apart a cleaning and some fresh cork grease made it move very easily all the way in out. It seemed as if a buildup of old grease and dirt had hardened almost to form a glue. Before this happened I have to admit I couldn't remember the last time I had even moved the bell, much less taken it off and cleaned/greased the cork. I do try now to store it with the bell pulled slightly out and I push it in when I unpack it to play.
If that's not the way your instrument is stored, then ditto the other two posts.
Karl
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2010-04-04 19:15
I had the same problem with an old Couesnon clarinet years ago, but it was the barrel that was stuck.
I took 2 rags and put one in ice cold water and the other in hot water.
Rinse well and wrap the hot one round the bell and the cold one around the lower joint.
Repeat process while tapping and trying to twist the pieces.
It worked!
Steve
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2010-04-08 11:03
Approach 1: Get a person with stronger arms/hands to twist it off.
Approach 2:
Bend the clarinet at this point, just slightly, as if you were trying to break it in half. This will open the joint a sliver.
Put a shim, or paper, or knife blade - whatever - into this time gap.
Now bend the other way, and insert something slightly thicker on the opposite side of the first shim.
Continue bending, back and forth, each time replacing with a thicker shim/whatever until the joint is loose enough to twist off in the normal fashion.
If the thought of these methods freak you out, take it to a technician.
It is almost certain that it is the timber, not the cork jamming, so take it to a technician anyway,to get the fit adjusted.
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Author: clarimad
Date: 2010-04-08 18:16
Just to update everyone, despite all the suggestions nothing worked and I, over several days, applied penetrating oil internally and externally and eventually the bell could be freed. I have now replaced the tenon cork and applied cork grease to prevent a reoccurence.
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Author: RoBass
Date: 2010-04-08 19:17
Let the clarinet dry first! The tenon will be loose if he dries. Otherwise the bell could crack from rough violence.
My opinion: better to invest some time than money (for a new bell...).
kindly
Roman
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2010-04-08 22:25
Be sure to store the bell and LJ separated so this does not happen again. If you have a case that stores the two pieces together, then leave them only half on and move the joints regularly; even if you don't play this clarinet much, once every month should keep things okay.
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Author: jasperbay
Date: 2010-04-09 00:48
Soaking with oil is kind of a last resort, not likely to be too harmful, but almond oil might be better, as it won't harm the wood. Mineral type penetrating oil is not real good for cork or wood, so it shouldn't be left on the wood any more than nessesary. You would probably have had to replace the cork anyway, so nothing lost, really. Glad you got 'er off!
I personally am not real impressed with most cork 'greases' out there. Some soak into the cork, some are too slick, some too stiff, and some give up over time and allow the joint to stick, like yours. I'm currently experimenting with a thin coat of soft "toilet gasket wax" It may have promise. doesn't seem to soak into the wood under a toilet anyway, and doesn't seem to harm the cork.
Clark G. Sherwood
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2010-04-10 12:19
The cork cannot bind like you describe if DECENT cork grease, such as Alisyn or the two that Doctors Products sell, is used occasionally.
On the other hand, it is almost always the TIMBER binding that causes joints to be difficult to disassemble.
So Clarimad, did you check the fit of the tenon while the cork was OFF?
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Author: clarimad
Date: 2010-04-10 15:15
The joints on this clarinet had clearly not been disassembled for several years and going by the state of the other tenon corks that were almost rotten, I was left with the only option of allowing oil to soak in over a period of days to soften the cork. It was not a problem with the grenadilla but the cork itself. Since replacing the cork I have not the mistake of putting the bell back on and leaving it in its case in a joined state. Good quality cork grease was used and I'm now pleased the clarinet is back to normal!
Incidentally it is a Noblet Artist otherwise in superb condition and a joy to play!
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2010-04-14 00:48
"I was left with the only option of allowing oil to soak in over a period of days to soften the cork."
From my experience I rather doubt that oil softens cork. More likely the opposite IMO. Moisture content softens it to some degree.
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