 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2011-01-13 02:06
Hi!
I bought a new Selmer USA contra-alto clarinet 2 years ago. It arrived with the middle joint quite a bit askew so that the bridge connection betwen the two joints is probably a half inch more counter clockwise than it should be.
Although the notes work, I bump the side keys a good bit because they keys are what feels to be in the wrong direction. Othewise I find the sound of the horn fairly remarkable for a synthetic horn.
The joints seem to be LOCKED. Can these be unlocked and the bridge positioned in a better position? I wanted to hear someone else say GO FOR IT before i took the screwdriver out. I'm not sure this is a REALLY joint or not.
THANKS!
Eefer guy
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-01-13 03:30
You can unlock the two main body joints by loosening the two clamps there (I believe they have a socket head, so use an Allen wrench). Then rotate the joints to where you want them relative to each other, and if necessary bend the two bridge keys a bit (in their 'horizontal' plane) so that their two respective mating halves overlap properly.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2011-01-13 06:01
I'm not familiar with this model but if it is as I imagine it, remember that changing the alignement would change the relationship of travel between the two bridge hinges, meaning the bridge might not work properly (i.e. have double action or not enough travel) without adjusting key heights for it.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-01-13 14:06
Perhaps, Nitai, but the bridge keys bend pretty easily and can be bent as I suggested without requiring any changes to key heights. Went through this process with my own Buescher (a.k.a. Bundy a.k.a. Selmer-USA) contra-alto a few years ago, because I had the same issue with an uncomfortable rotational alignment between the two body joints.
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2011-01-13 22:29
Thanks for the advice and words of warning. So is it possible that my horn was positioned askew ON PURPOSE at the factory??
I have one other question too. My A key is also a bit uncomfortable and it seems stuffy. IF I open the G# key it opens that key very easily and it sounds very clear. The A on the other hand seems to open the G# key PART WAY and the other A key PART WAY.
Thanks for all of your suggestions. I have to get the peg mechanism fixed on this horn so I might let the tech have a soin at these other areas too.
Eefer guy
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-01-14 13:58
Tone quality of the throat A and G is particularly bad on every Bundy/Buescher/Selmer-USA contra-alto I've played. I haven't come up with a good fix for that yet.
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2011-01-14 15:39
Dave,
Was afraid of that answer! Putting more mouthpiece in my mouth seems to help on getting a better sound quality in general but especially on those throat tones. Odd thing is that the G# is so good.
Thanks for the advice. Am going to try the bridge position adjustment this weekend.
Eefer guy
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-01-14 18:02
I did check my own Selmer-USA contra-alto today and on mine, depressing the throat A key opens both the A and G# pads completely (not just part-way) --- so I'd say you have a maladjustment on yours.
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