The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: crusius
Date: 2020-12-27 03:42
Hi all - I have a CSG III with the E/F correction lever, and it turns out that lever just gets in the way too much and prevents me from assuming my natural position for the right hand (the thumb ends up pressing that lever all the time). Time to either get rid of the clarinet ($$$$), or to remove that lever ($).
The question is whether people have standard ways of plugging the holes that would be left open with the lever off, without making a permanent change?
I've seen suggestions for: gorilla tape, gaffer's tape, slightly large cork pads, rubber plugs (BBoard thread).
Any new/extra suggestions?
Thanks!
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2020-12-27 05:14
Why not have the key bent further out of the way? I would just use a silicone plug in any case, you can get them at the hardware store for pennies and there’s no chance of leaving residue on the wood.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Ed
Date: 2020-12-27 05:54
You could just put a small piece of cork under the lever so it does not open the key.
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Author: donald
Date: 2020-12-27 09:37
Andrew Mariner had this removed from one of his clarinets (I think it was a buffet divine but can't quite remember) and I believe his favourite tech put a Cork in the tone hole and I think sealed it around the exterior circumference. I saw this in 2013, and might be remembering it incorrectly as I only saw it for a few seconds.
I have seen the left hand Eb/Bb hole filled in this way (and the key removed).
Post Edited (2020-12-27 12:50)
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2020-12-27 18:42
My first thought would be to reshape the key so that it doesn't interfere with the thumb and the feature remains functional if required. If the key absolutely has to be removed I use small laboratory rubber stoppers. They can be trimmed to size, and with a dab of silicone they'll seal perfectly for as long as needed and remove easily when you wish to restore the function.
Tony F.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2020-12-27 22:54
You have a very nice horn. I feel you shouldn't do much to the horn to alter it, in case you wish to trade it in or sell it in the future. I like the idea of adjusting the key to fit you. Most of the time, as players, we can adjust to the horn after a period of time.
On my horns when I switched from Buffet to Yamaha, I did bend a few keys a tiny bit to fit my hands better. Maybe try to see a good repairman?
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2020-12-27 23:05
Remove the key, push fit a suitable diameter cork pad in the tonehole as that's the least invasive method and reversible. One that's 0.5mm wider than the tonehole diameter will be ideal. Then replace the key and it won't matter if you accidentally touch it.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: crusius
Date: 2020-12-28 07:20
Thanks all, thanks for all the suggestions.
Regarding bending the key - in this particular case the bending would have to be quite drastic to get it out of the way. In this case, if I really really wanted the functionality, a custom key would be more like it. I have nothing against that, but... $$$.
I thought about a cork under the key to "freeze it in place" - may end up doing that, but I thought the cork would give after a while and let the key open a little.
Most likely though I'll go with the plug suggestions. Sound easy enough to do and easily reversible. Well, not as easy as tape, but I'm afraid a tape strong enough to stay there (eg Gorilla tape) will leave a mark in the end.
Thanks!
Post Edited (2020-12-29 07:51)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2020-12-28 22:48
Don't use tape for anything - it ends up making a real mess of things.
Some deluded people even think sticking tape over a crack is a done thing. No it isn't.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: crusius
Date: 2020-12-29 10:12
Thanks Chris - yes, wasn't going to use tape. Didn't sound like a good idea.
Just got some pads and plugs from music medic. The correction tone holes are somewhat small (3.5mm and 4.8mm) so I'll try to make the pads (6mm) smaller first, and if that doesn't work I'll go with the plugs.
Side story: removed the key to measure the tone holes, found a "W" shaped piece of plastic inside the 3.5mm hole. Beats me why it was there, looks like some tech forgot it there.
Thanks all again!
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Author: JTJC
Date: 2020-12-29 14:00
I’ve got that W piece in mine as well. I tested 5 or so instruments when selecting my CSG III A and not all had it. I think 3 did. I was told it reduces or eliminates a buzz or some noise, or the potential for it, from that hole. Best keep that little piece in case it’s needed.
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