Klarinet Archive - Posting 000127.txt from 1994/06

From: Clark W Fobes <reedman@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Straubinger Pads
Date: Mon, 27 Jun 1994 12:43:33 -0400

On Sun, 26 Jun 1994, NICK WINKLER wrote:

> To: REEDMAN@-----.COM
> Subject: Re: Straubinger Pads
>
>
> The last time I reconditioned a clarinet was about forty years ago. It
> was done through sheer despair, since I didn't have the money to get
> someone to do the job. So I just bought a set of white pads and some
> pad glue and set about it. Fortunately, the clarinet worked when I
> finished.
>
> Once I started working full time, I always hired someone else to do that
> job. Living in a small town, as I still do, that person was often a
> moonlighting music teacher.
>
> About five years ago, I finally replaced my 1930s Horst Moennig
> large-bore band clarinet (from Baxter-Northup in L.A.) with a Buffet
> R-13 (from R.G. Gilbert). That made an immediate difference in both
> tone quality and intonation. I found myself playing in tune for the
> first time in my life. What a wonderful feeling!
>
> Now that I have a little more time, I'd like to delve into this clarinet
> thing a bit more. Is there a readable book on clarinet maintenance that
> someone can recommend? Could I expect to do a good repad on my own, or
> are there good reasons for turning the job over to an experienced repair
> person? How often should I expect to repad my instrument? Can someone
> out there give me some pointers?
>
> -Nick-
There is not a comprehensive book on clarinet repair. I am working on
one, but Zeus only knows how long it will be before it is completed.

The standard of the repair business is "Band Instrument Repairing Manual"
by Erick D. Brand. I believe Erick Brand was the head repair person at
Selmer USA
for many, many years. I am not certain that it is still available.

Two other books that are available through J.L. Smith & Co 1-800-659-6073
are:

"A Clarinetist's Notebook" by Robert Schmidt

"A Guide to Repairing Woodwinds" by Ronald Saska

I am not familiar with either book so cannot comment on their efficacy.

I am a strong proponent of players knowing something about the mechanical
aspects of their instrument and advocate owning a few simple tools.
Replacing and leveling pads IS the ultimate test of a good repair person.
After 20 years of doing this almost every day I still don't take the task
lightly.

If you are interested in "tinkering" please do not use your Buffet for a
testing ground. Find an old student model clarinet and repad it. If you
have some one in town who is willing to show you a few things, sit with
him/her for a few hours and try to pick up a few tips. Offer to pay them
the standard hourly rate they charge and they should be willing to help.

It really is impossible to learn a skill that require so much hand eye
co-ordination from a book, but by all means pursue your interest to the
highest level possible. Who knows? Maybe you will become the local expert!

Clark W Fobes