 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: ClaytonMarch
Date: 2010-11-03 21:26
Is there any reason why you don't see sterling silver keys on clarinets? Just curious as I'm looking at my old Buffet with flaky keys and comparing to a wooden flute that has sterling.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2010-11-03 21:32
You do see solid silver keys sometimes but it is uncommon. I have a couple of older clarinets where the keys are solid silver. It's not a desirable trait in my opinion as the solid silver keys are softer and more prone to bending. I've had the bend keys back into shape on more than one ocassion.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BartHx
Date: 2010-11-03 21:51
Being a smaller, lighter instrument, you are not as likely to hold a flute as firmly as you would a clarinet. In addition, the greater use of plateau keys on the flute would probably require less force to operate. Just a guess since I don't play flute.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-11-03 23:39
Most new major brands clarinets do come with sterling silver keys on certain models today. They've been doing that for some time now. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-11-04 00:17
Which ones?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: nosqueaks
Date: 2010-11-04 01:38
Silver is around $24 an ounce now and I doubt Solid Sterling Silver keywork would be an option on any clarinet other than a high end custom made instrument. The only clarinet I've seen with Sterling keywork is a Haynes- the entire instrument is Sterling, keys and body, barrel and bell. (92.5% pure silver).
They are really nice instruments and sound great, and I presume that is do to the body material. I do not think the solid silver keys make much difference to the tone.
The keywork is quite strong and just like the keywork on Haynes flutes from that era- It does not bend easily if handled with the usual care.
A side note- Verne Powell was the Haynes employee that managed the clarinet production and reportedly did not like making the clarinets. That plus the fact he did not get along with Wm. S. Haynes' brother-in law who was involved with the company, led Powell to leave the Haynes co. and open his own shop in 1927.
The rest is history-
The current owner of Powell flutes today, Steven Wasser is a clarinet player....
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-11-04 21:38
I didn't mean solid silver but silver plated. Sorry if I miss understood . My Selmer Signature is silver plated. ESP
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
