 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris26
Date: 2020-01-29 16:09
Hello, just recently my bass clarinet has had a sticky key. It is the register key on the neck. The screw in the spring, when unscrewed quite a bit, allows the spring to work; however, the pad does not cover the key hole all the way so only high notes are played. If the screw is screwed in too far, the spring becomes too sticky to function.
I've never come across a problem like this before so I'm not sure how easy it is to fix or if I should take it to a repair shop.
Post Edited (2020-01-29 18:35)
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2020-01-29 18:02
Not sure this is the solution but take the screw out and clean it as well as where the screw goes in and place a drop of key oil on the screw before putting it back in. See if that works. Hard to tell the problem without seeing and trying it.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2020-01-29 19:33
Are you keeping your instrument humidified?
If not (assuming it is wood), the body of the instrument can contract enough to make the key posts too close together and therefor make the key bind.
Find a good way to humidify your horn, and see if the key starts working again like it is supposed to.
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
NEW - Clarinet Bells!
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
847-266-8644
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2020-01-29 20:14
Being on the (assuming metal) neck and with a rod screw (I haven't seen one mounted with pivot screws but I guess anything's possible), it's unlikely to be a humidity issue. Unless the problem is also somewhere else in the mechanism and not just this key (which is possible but unlikely if it works fine with the screw not tightened).
This is not too common but still pretty common where a key binds only when tightened. There are a few reasons this can happen, not in any particular order:
- Rod screw and/or hinge tube is bent
- Threads not aligned with rod screw (but still parallel)
- Threaded part is bent (not parallel)
- Crooked thread (part is not bent)
- Relief area behind threads is crooked
- Post face misaligned with hole and/or threads
- Burr at end of the rod screw or (less likely) the key
- Dirt (has to be very specific for it to happen just when tightened but possible)
- Bent posts
Basically before the screw is completely tightened there is enough play in the threads and posts to compensate for the problem.
When the screw is not tightened just before starting to bind, operate the key and look at the slot. Does it rotate with the key or not?
Can you completely remove the key? If you can then clean and then insert the rod into the key completely, off the instrument (make sure the end sticks out a bit beyong the threads) and rotate it. Does it bind at any point more than others?
If it does, this needs to be repaired first and check if the issue continues. If not, the problem is probably one of the other issues (threads, posts, etc.).
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Author: Chris26
Date: 2020-01-30 14:11
I did what you suggested, twice. Did not really help. At this point the register key isn't even strong enough to push down the neck key unless I hit it really hard (which I assume I shouldn't do).
Thank you though
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Author: Chris26
Date: 2020-01-30 15:03
Update: the spring now works when the screw is in, but the register key, when pressed, does not push down the neck key. I have no idea why. Super frustrating....
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