 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: quintquintr
Date: 2016-10-31 04:02
Attachment: IMG_20161018_193626 - Copy.jpg (249k)
Hello, all!
I bought a brand-new Festival Bb (#6718xx) in October 2015. I noticed a difference from older Buffet horns in that it makes use of a nylon adjusting screw affixed to the RH F/C key that controls the adjustment of the LH F/C key. I'm not sure what other Buffet models this adjustment screw appears on or exactly when it was introduced. I really like the way it feels and the added reliability it may bring, but I wanted to gather some feedback from others' observations about this adjustment screw.
I also wanted to see about the feasibility of upgrading an older horn with this adjustment screw. I am soon expecting the arrival of a 1988 R13 A (#3116xx) from a gentleman in the UK for a trial; if I decide to keep the horn, I may want to eventually upgrade it with this adjustment screw at some point. I figure that the R13's design hasn't been so drastically altered since then that a key from a more modern horn that includes the adjustment screw wouldn't be a direct fit. Does anyone have any thoughts or knowledge to share on the matter?
Thanks in advance!
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2016-10-31 04:52
I wouldn't bank on it being a direct fit, after all there is a nearly 30 year age difference.
A properly constructed and fitted shim is quite capable of providing a good and long lasting F/C adustment.
Problem is that the gap is often too big and some lesser techs tried and fix it with a thick and soft cork shim.
A good tech will close the gap to a minimum with a hard material (I often use metal) and then just add a microscopic thin cork/leather/synthetic shim for quietness.
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Author: quintquintr
Date: 2016-10-31 06:43
You are very correct; it is nearly 30 years older. It might not be a direct fit, but certainly close to it. At the same time, a great tech should be able to fit the key with a little work, right? 
My current go-to technician is Wes Rice in Princess Anne, MD. In an exchange with him earlier today, he quoted me the price of the key to be approximately $60-80, plus about $20 labor to install a new pad & synchronize the keywork. Considering his experience, I'm confident he would be able to fit the key with little issue.
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2016-10-31 16:07
It is not a big deal to put the adjustment screw in. Some techs put a small one through the top key without adding any parts. Some student clarinets came with this configuration.
Steve Ocone
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-10-31 17:27
While the geometry between the linkages can be made much better by some bending of the RH F/C key to reduce the gap and make it parallel, this adjusting screw is a welcome improvement, but the nylon screw will be compromised if people start using ill-fitting screwdrivers that can easily mash up the slot.
But at least Buffet are finally doing something to improve it, but it's still too little too late in my opinion.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-10-31 18:58
If you want a proper adjusting screw fitted like this to an existing Buffet of any age, then that can be done by hard soldering an adjusting screw pip onto the linkage piece (a piece of key barrel slotted to slide over the linkage piece), shorten it to the desired height (if not done already), then countersink the top end with a 2.4mm reamer, drill it all the way through with a 1.7mm drill, tap it out with an M2x0.4 tap and then have it silver or nickel plated depending on the existing finish (or left unplated if it's a much older Buffet).
I'd personally use a stainless steel adjusting screw fitted with a nylon tip as opposed to a completely nylon adjusting screw as Buffet have been using for some time now. If it's an older Buffet with mild steel screws that have been blued, then use either a chemically blackened screw, colour in a stainless steel one with a permanent marker or make one from silver steel and temper it blue to match the others if they've all been tempered blue.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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