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Re: Vintage Selmer bass questions

Author: Chris P
Date: 2022-01-10 13:16

The C#/G# key on Selmers and on most pro level basses is an articulated mechanism whereby the heavier closed sprung touchpiece controls the lighter open sprung pad cup so the pad cup can be closed via a linkage arm with an adjusting screw from the RH main action whilst the C#/C# touch is held down. Only on some basses, it may not always be linked to the RH main action so you have to release it whenever using any RH notes as you'd normally do on the majority of clarinets.

An easy way to find out is if there's a linkage arm connected to the lower joint that runs up the middle line to link it directly to the C#/G# pad cup whilst the joints are assembled, or simply by playing a B and then holding down the C#/G# key at the same time - if the note remains a B. then it's all linked up (unless you've got a sticky C#/G# pad) or if you get a slightly flat C#, then it's not linked.

In other words, if there are three linkages between the joints, it's all linked up. If there's only two (RH3 to speaker mechanism and long Bb link), it's not.

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

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