 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-06-28 22:26
... that keeps the LH E/B lever held down.
These are mainly used during transport from the factory to keep the keys held closed but shouldn't really be used thereafter, or in the first place in my opinion as they will put undue and continual stress on the nylon pins fitted in the ends of the LH E/B lever.
As we know, these nylon pins aren't the most robust of things and do have a habit of breaking at the worst moments - even more so in colder weather, so the least pressure or stress they're subjected to, the better.
So if you do have one of these black plastic top hat-like things with the projecting arm (with the Buffet logo on the top), then don't use it with your clarinet. If you have synthetic pads fitted, double don't use it as it will cause deep impressions in them.
If you have anything else to add - either for or against - then do chime in.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2012-06-28 22:56
I think it was invented as a paliative for poorly fitted pads.
If those F/C and E/B pads were correctly leveled when installed in the factory then the springy thing would be totally unnecessary.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed
Date: 2012-06-28 23:47
I was told by a couple of different techs that it would help keep the seat in the larger pads, similar to sax key clamps. I am aware that the use of key clamps on a sax is a controversial topic as well.
Not to question Chris' knowledge and experience, but I suppose it may fall somewhat into the realm of a lot of repair topics which are hotly debated with people coming strongly on one side or the other.
Any thoughts on replacing the pins with another material, such as carbon fiber?
http://www.clarinet-repairs.com/carbonfiberpins.html
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-06-29 01:10
I'm all for replacing them with more durable materials as I've seen many others on here are too. Stainless steel and carbon fibre are the most widely used replacements for the stock nylon ones.
They're also used on Buffet basset horns, basses and I presume on their contra-altos as well. So far I haven't replaced the nylon pins on my basset horn and bass as they're holding up well, but it's something I ought to do at some point.
Maybe I ought to keep some spare nylon pins in my wallet in case of emergency - more likely to be someone else's.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mike Clarinet
Date: 2012-06-29 07:28
I have a spring clip cap thingy that came with my (purchased in) 2004 RC. I've used it continuously since I've had the instrument. I'm the only one in a community band section of 10 clarinets, most of whom play Buffets, who even had that Thingy supplied with the instrument. I have my clarinet checked over every other year by a tech, and running repairs as and when needed. It had a complete re-pad last year. I've never had a problem with the pins on the ends of the L/H levers. That's not to question Chris's knowledge or experience, but just my experience with the Thingy, which has never caused me a problem.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JHowell
Date: 2012-06-29 12:36
I use them, too. For years before they existed, I used a rubber band for the same purpose; to help maintain the E/B seal. The nylon pins were an unwelcome innovation, but I've only had one break and it was the F#/C#. You pays your money and you takes your choice.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2012-06-29 13:17
Sung to the tune of "Black Magic Woman" by Santana:
Got a black plastic thingy,
Got a black plastic thingy....
I've got a black plastic thingy,
can't figure out what it's for.....
I've got a black plastic thingy,
Using it to hold open the door.
Put it back on your clarinet..
Don't put it back on your clarinet!
Don't put it back on your clarinet,
or it will break that cheap pin.
Don't put it back on your clarinet,
or nobody but woodwind techs will win!
![[tongue]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie6.gif)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: wesrice
Date: 2012-06-29 13:24
I completely agree with Chris that the little contraption should be thrown away. I have about 10 or 20 of them that I've acquired over the years. Although I have plenty of customers come in with broken pins, I wouldn't necessarily attribute it to the clamp. But I agree that as little stress as possible should be placed on the brittle pin.
What I've found the most often is the long B out of synch because of being clamped. Usually the keys are badly out of synch, and I would most likely attribute it the crow's foot cork being compressed over time. It might also be the pads compressing unevenly or even the metal bending. I know it's not that much force, but it's possible that constant pressure could bend the keys a little - at least at the crow's foot.
Wes
www.Clarinet-Repairs.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2012-06-29 15:44
David Spiegelthal wrote a lyric,
>> Sung to the tune of "Black Magic Woman" by Santana:
>>
I like it!
None of my clarinets are modern enough to have come with a Thingie -- and somehow I don't feel deprived.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Merlin_Williams
Date: 2012-06-29 16:02
From the Credit Where Credit is Due Dept:
Peter Green, then with Fleetwood Mac, wrote Black Magic Woman. Santana made the most well known recording of it.
Jupiter Canada Artist/Clinician
Stratford Shakespeare Festival musician
Woodwind Doubling Channel Creator on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/WoodwindDoubling
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2012-06-29 16:07
Merlin_Williams wrote:
> Peter Green, then with Fleetwood Mac, wrote Black Magic Woman.
> Santana made the most well known recording of it.
Yes, I have that recording of Black Magic Woman when Fleetwood Mac was a bluesy sort of band. Carlos pwned Peter Green's tune.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2012-06-29 16:42
But Fleetwood Mac was much improved when the former Buckingham-Nicks duo joined them.
This is indeed way off topic, I apologize. We are geezing.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-06-29 16:44
How do you pronounce 'pwned' - is it pawned or pooned?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-06-29 21:38
I thought it's best to open a topic with these things as I don't think they've really been discussed in much detail other than in passing comments.
I wonder where the discarded ones all end up? There must be thousands of them abandoned over the entire world with no other significant purpose apart from the one they were designed for.
So it's about time some other use was found for them. There's got to be something else they can do - mini spring clamps for model makers to hold small pieces together during glueing.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-06-29 22:36
Their main purpose is to be auctioned under the topic "Repairperson's Dream", with uppercase buzzwords like "legit", "vintage", "genuine" or "beware of cheap imitations".
--
Ben
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-06-29 22:37
With the maker's name misspelt - Bufett Crampion!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
![[frown]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie2.gif)
