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Re: Enhanced Key Systems

Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-11-09 13:51

I'd recommend a used Leblanc alto clarinet over a Noblet or Vito as the Leblanc has the better keywork and a rudimentary forked Eb/Bb mechanism in the LH3 fingerolate closes the E vent (Noblets and Vitos don't have this) so it works like a Yamaha alto. An extra vent key can be fitted in between LH 2 and 3 to get a true forked Eb/Bb on these, as well as a LH Ab/Eb lever and the C#/G# mechanism can be rejigged to make it articulated. I bought a couple of old Leblanc altos with the view to completely rebuilding them (the bells and crooks are in very bad shape) and ended up experimenting with the keywork by adding more adjusting screws here and there, but then the Yamaha alto turned up and they got put aside. I used one of the LH levers and the speaker key to make the LH Ab/Eb lever on my Yamaha alto.

Buffet Prestige basses don't have an articulated C#/G# key, but they do have half of the mechanism in place - all that's needed is a linkage fitted to the C#/G# pad cup to connect it to the bridge key and voila, a full articulated C#/G# mechanism. I had such a device fitted to my Prestige bass not long after I bought it, but you do have to be sure you don't bend anything during assembly, so lending this bass to anyone is out of the question as there are some heavy handed people out there - I've had the bridge key bent up on my full Boehms when I've lent them out so I've decided not to lend any of my equipment unless whoever borrows it knows exactly how to assemble it under my guidance first.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

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