Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2014-03-03 10:28
Edit: the problem has been fixed, see my Apr 18 post.
I own a few clarinets, but none of them has the excessive slack in the left hand C/F key as found in my Yamaha 72. The key depresses nearly to the body of the clarinet as the cork on the key mechanism wears and compresses with age. I can get by with it unless I have to play a fast passage, then I either can't depress the key quickly enough to get a clear note, or my finger slips off the key. New cork solves the problem for a few weeks, but after that I am once again fighting the slack.
Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, how did you solve it? For those not familiar with this model, the long shaft on this LH key turns a cam which strikes a flat lever on the shaft attached to the key on the lower body. This flat area has thick cork on it, but as mentioned above, it begins to depress quickly and the slack returns.
I've had two good repair techs look at it. One said that it looks like this is a design flaw since the upper lever appears to be too high (which makes me wonder if a replacement part might be the answer). Both techs are hesitant to try to correct it by bending. One said he could try to carefully solder a piece on it to make it thicker, but it would be risky. I wonder if I could get the same results by gluing a thin piece of hard material on it (Twice I've tried stick-on Teflon to make the lower cam thicker, but it eventually works loose and gums up the mechanism). The other tech suggested that he add an adjusting screw to the upper foot, like he has on one of his clarinets. This would eliminate the need for cork. So far this seems to be the most appealing option, but I wonder if there might be other solutions.
I would be interested in thoughts or opinions by those that have tackled a similar problem.
Laurie
(Mr. Laurie J Braaten)
Post Edited (2014-04-18 23:17)
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The Clarinet BBoard
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