The Oboe BBoard

The Oboe BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Re: sticking Bb key

Author: jhoyla
Date: 2014-08-18 10:46

Chris has listed all the possibilities, so now it is down to your observation skills.

Wedge open the con-bar and with the top joint only, finger 'A' and then press down lightly on the little Bb pad. Watch the whole mechanism as it acts and try to see where it is sticking. Is it sluggish through the whole action, or is it just sticking down, and flips up once free? This will help you narrow down the cause.

If it is sluggish throughout the motion the cause can be either the key binding to the rod or posts, or by a weak spring. In either of these cases you should probably take it to an oboe specialist repair person.

If it is sticking, there are two possibilities - either the pad surface is sticking to the tone-hole crown, or an adjustment screw has dug itself a little socket in a cork.

Place a single layer of teflon tape over the tone-hole and see if it still sticks? If not, you can try coating a piece of cigarette paper or a banknote with graphite from a 4B pencil and slide it under the pad. Push down on the pad gently, and draw the paper away. Does this help?

Take a really careful look at the cork under the adjustment screw that is just below and to the left of the RH middle-finger key (looking straight at the vertical top joint). Has the adjustment screw created a little socket for itself in the cork, and is sticking inside? Is the cork sticky with oil or gunge? If so it probably needs replacing. Consider replacing the adjustment screw with a nylon-tipped screw without cork.

As a preventative measure against sticky pads, it is advisable to make a cork wedge to prop open the con-bar (the connecting rod to the 2nd joint that opens Bb and C) so that the pads stand open when the instrument is put away. This simple trick can be a life-saver, since the pad is sure to dry out fully. Thumbplate oboes naturally stand open and rarely have this problem.

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics