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Topic: dismantling a clarinet

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mogsta
Newbie
Newbie

Joined: April.13.06
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6

Posted: April.26.06 at 6:36am \| IP Logged

Hi everyone,

I'd like to try my hand (as a learning experience) at pulling a clarinet to bits and putting it back together... safely.

Keeping in mind that I'm a newbie, what tools am I going to need, apart from a good set of jewellers screwdrivers?

Also, does anybody have some kind of map, visual guide, assembly board or whatever to send me (PDF or image)? Or where I might get one (free)?

Any advice would be graciously received.

Regards,
Brett

LarryMueller
Technician & Clinician

Joined: January.20.05
Location: USA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 24

Posted: April.26.06 at 3:27pm \| IP Logged

A small pair of smooth jaw pliers are most helpful. Ferree's has
the assembly boards, or take a clarinet photo and glue it to a
piece of wood. Drill the holes near each key in the photo, and
that's where that screw goes.

You will, of course, need whatever pad, cork, and glue supplies
for when you see things which need correcting. Pads sizes
and thicknesses are important for even a chance of sealing
well.

Good luck, and you've gotta start somewhere.

Larry

mogsta
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Newbie

Joined: April.13.06
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6

Posted: April.27.06 at 12:52am \| IP Logged

Thanks Larry,

I've been a member for less than a month so far, and I can be sure you're always one of the first to lend advice.

I like your idea with the photograph on the wooden board! I think I'll do that.

When pulling the clarinet apart, should I be prepared for any particular springs to jump out and disappear behind the desk? Or are they all pretty well attached to their keys?

Regards,
Brett

admin
Admin Group

Joined: March.10.05
Location: USA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 304

Posted: April.27.06 at 4:35pm \| IP Logged

Hi Brett,

No springs will jump out at you and get lost UNLESS you're working on a Vito. Some of the Vitos had a coil spring in a little slot for the C#/G# key (little finger, left hand).

Tips on disassembling...

1. Make sure you get the rods and screws back in the same post they came out of. Mix them up and you can end up with binding keys. Better yet, as soon as you take the key off, put the rod/screw back where it came out of instead of in a screw block.

2. When pulling the rods out with the pliers, grab the end of the rod at right angle to the slot so you don't pinch the slot closed.

3. You'll need a spring hook to get the springs hooked back in place on reassembly.

4. Until you're comfortable with where all the keys go, only disassemble the bottom joint or top joint at a time.

5. Time yourself. One of the first things I did when I started repairing (and before I had any supplies to do any repairs!) was to disassemble and reassemble my flute, clarinet, and saxophone so I could learn where the keys go and what order they come off and go on. Each time you will get a little faster. So time yourself whenever you take a joint apart and put it back together.

Good luck. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Thanks,
Michelle

bobbaier
Technician

Joined: February.07.05
Location: USA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 30

Posted: April.28.06 at 7:14am \| IP Logged

Bear in mind that there's really no right or wrong way to disassemble. My method was developed on my own and I use a wood block with four rows of holes for everything but flute. For them, I have some blocks with two rows of holes that were sold by Erick Brand years ago. You just have to be consistent in what you do.

Sometimes on an unusual old sax, I'll make a note on the block to remind me of an odd key arrangement as I reassemble.

bob

ellenopel
Technician

Joined: January.19.05
Location: USA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2

Posted: May.24.06 at 11:02am \| IP Logged

Just a little extra note on the Vito's. Some also had those jumpy springs underneath the register key and the A key.

Ellen O.

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