 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: HANGARDUDE
Date: 2012-06-24 17:33
My bass clarinet(YCL-221II) has been hampered by this problem for 2 months. When I play the middle B3 or above, the hole of the register key sometimes does not open. This usually happens when I start playing until I gave the covering pad a few soft plucks. A local repairer suggested that it is because of moisture. Well what do you think? Do you believe it is because of moisture, or it is some malfunction of some mechanism?
Note: If you have clues don't hesitate to reply, as some of you may know this summer I'll send my bass clarinet to Stephen Fox for a Low D2 extension. And if this problem proves to be a mechanical malfunction, I'll ask Stephen to fix it as well. Thank you for your kind attention!
Josh
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-06-24 20:27
Stop drinking sugared sodas prior to playing.
The register keys opens by spring force alone, not by thumb pressure.
If not done already, have the register key pad replaced by cork, it is less subject to sticking.
--
Ben
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2012-06-24 23:40
Joshua -
The pad is probably sticking to the top of the metal register tube. Wet the corner of a handkerchief. Slide it between the pad and the register tube, press gently on the top of the key and slide the bill back and forth several times to remove accumulated crud. Don't press too hard, as you run the risk of pulling the layer of fishskin loose from the pad surface.
You can also do the same thing with a (dry) new U.S. dollar bill, which has the right amount of abrasiveness
If that doesn't work, the problem may be sticking within the mechanism. Find where the parts slide across one another, where there's usually a small patch of cork for damping. Use a miniature screwdriver to scrape up a tiny amount of cork grease (smaller than a pin-head) and spread the smallest possible amount over the cork.
The problem is about as simple a one as you'll have on a bass. The register key mechanisms are notorious for getting out of adjustment. Any repair shop should be able to fix it.
Ken Shaw
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Author: jbutler ★2017
Date: 2012-06-25 01:41
Joshua,
There could also be some binding in the mechanism, an adjusting screw problem, a bent rod, or perhaps some connecting linkage cork is missing. This is just a partial list. If the above suggestions don't work I certainly recommend you take it to a repair technician.
I must ask the question as to why anyone would want to pay for a custom extension for a student line Yamaha bass? I would guess the custom work would almost be the expense of the instrument.
j butler
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Author: HANGARDUDE
Date: 2012-06-26 17:33
Dear Everyone,
Problem solved! I replaced the register key pad with a cork pad. Now it's working really well. Thank you all for your suggestions, especially Ben(though I never drink soft drinks)!
Josh
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2012-06-26 20:18
Chewing bubble gum while playing, then accidentally blowing it into the instrument with sufficient force (and pinpoint aim) plus just the right amount of clockwise English (except in the Southern Hemisphere where counterclockwise English is called for) can cause the gumball to travel through the upper part of the instrument and become lodged in the register key tube, consequently causing the pad to stick.
Don't do it! NO BUBBLE GUM WHILE PLAYING!
The Great and Powerful Oz has spoken!
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