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Re: Fitting A LH C# Key...

Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-09-10 00:04

Although a LH C# is a nice thing to have, in any configuration it is a pain to fit as with the lever style one it does mean more pillars in the instrument and a differently shaped LH F key arm that has to arch over the LH C# key outer pillar.

The LH C# lever itself isn't the most aesthetically pleasing piece of keywork as it is a fair bit of metal, but it's probably much easier to fit and is definitely much simpler in its action than the doubled feather keys version which will need the low B key linked to the bell key linkage so both low B and Bb pads close together. At the moment they're unlinked on mine (although low Bb can still be played by closing both low B and Bb touches together) until I add the linkage.

So if this version had to be built, it will be pretty expensive due to the amount of work involved. Most key pieces can be adapted from existing pieces, but some (such as the feather key touches) will require some cutting and shutting to get them the desired shape and lengths.

I haven't had much to go on with this, only the idea and plan I sketched out freehand which I'm using as a guide (the original version is at Howarth's which I used various highlighter pens to show which pieces are all pinned to the steel and the pieces which are independent. I don't do keywork alterations all the time and have never made an entire oboe from scratch - only finishing instruments, but have done some keywork alterations to some of my own instruments. Fortunately it's all coming together nicely, otherwise it could end up being an expensive mess to sort out!

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

Post Edited (2011-09-10 00:09)

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Fitting A LH C# Key... new

Chris P

2011-09-09 11:17