Benefits

1. Reduces key noise
2. Increases mechanical precision and speed
3. Allows for freer vibration of the wood
4. Guards against weather and humidity changes
5. Eliminates binding keys
6. Greatly reduces maintenance costs

Wood expands during humid periods and contracts during dry ones. These conditions can become a problem for your instrument if you live in an area with drastic seasonal weather changes, if you fly often, or if you travel between several different climate zones. With the L&P Ball-Bearing System, we will modify the mechanism in a way that allows the wood to expand or contract without affecting the keys. This mechanism also allows the wood to vibrate freely and smoothly. The result is less stress on the wood, which in turn reduces the risk for cracks.

The L&P Ball-Bearing System can be added to used instruments and is highly recommended for bass clarinets. Today it is the best system to guarantee a long-lasting, quiet, and reliable mechanism. In the long run, it provides considerable time and money savings from frequent adjustments with your technician.

The challenge:
Longer keys are traditionally mounted between posts with pivot screws. This means that the key is hanging between two pivots that stick out of the posts. A play-free adjustment is to be achieved by adjusting the pivot screws' distance/position in the post. You would need to do this adjustment whenever the humidity changes.

In a humid environment, you'll notice key play, irritating metal noises, and the pads will shift to a slightly different position because the body increases slightly in length. The screw and key get worn out over time. As soon as the humidity is reduced, the body shrinks, the distance between the posts is reduced and keys can get stuck or screws can turn themselves out.

Our L&P solution: Contrary to the traditional way, the L&P Ball-Bearing System will tightly mount the key with a cylindrical screw onto one post with the integrated bearing and allows the key to turn but not to move to the left and right. The other side of the key has a short cylindrical shaft that enters the second post's ball bearing. When the distance between the post is altered due to humidity changes, the key will stay firmly connected to the first post. Noise and mechanical wear are eliminated, and an adjustment is no longer needed.

(C) 2014 - by Lohff & Pfeiffer - Brøndbyvej 211 - 2625 Vallensbæk + 45 3535 8643 - SE DK 1895 7485 info@clarinet.dk