Floor support for soprano clarinet

thingiverse

See the UPDATE section below! This contraption is a floor support 'spike' designed specifically for a soprano clarinet. Originally conceived for a Buffet basset clarinet, its extra length and keywork on the bottom joint make it extremely heavy and unbalanced, with a tendency to pivot away from the player's grasp. By placing it on the floor, the weight is transferred off the player's thumb, eliminating the unwanted pivoting. The support consists of a 3D-printed fixture that fits snugly between the lower joint and the bell of the instrument, and a metal spike made from an 8mm aluminium rod. To achieve optimal results, it's highly recommended to use an adjustable spike, as shown in the accompanying pictures. As the support bears the weight of the clarinet, it can also be a valuable asset for players dealing with arthritis or other physical issues that make holding the instrument difficult. I've included parts for a support tailored to fit my Leblanc LL soprano clarinets. UPDATE Extensive testing has uncovered a stress concentration in the 'bottom' part of the support, which can lead to catastrophic failure, especially for players who move frequently. To address this issue, I've redesigned this part, removing the sharp corner responsible for the problem. The new files are NEW_Buffet_bottom.stl (bored to fit my Buffet basset clarinet) and NEW_Blank_bottom.stl (an unbored version to be used with custom cutters tailored to an individual clarinet's specifications). USE THESE PARTS IN PLACE OF THE ORIGINAL *_bottom.stl FILES!