Klarinet Archive - Posting 000511.txt from 1995/12
From: CLARK FOBES <reedman@-----.COM> Subj: Clarinet Cracks Revisited Date: Tue, 19 Dec 1995 13:30:10 -0500
This subject has come up before, but I thought I might throw some
ideas out again.
Buffet, Selmer, Leblanc and Yamaha all have some type of crack
warranty. This usually involves replacing the joint rather than pinning
it. I have been a Buffet dealer for 5 years and have always advised
against replacing a cracked joint. In fact, the replacement and
repadding of a "free" joint is more expensive than just pinning the
instrument. Typically the cracks I see require 2 or 3 pins. I charge
$35 per pin. A new joint involves transferring and refitting keys and
repadding. Add in the cost of shipping back and forth to Buffet and you
are at about $150.
But the least desirable aspect of replacing a joint is the
overwhelming possibiltiy that you will end up with a mis-matched upper
and lower joint. The few times that customers have insisted on joint
replacement I have been disappointed with the acoustical
change in the instrument.
A crack in a clarinet does not necessarily decrease it's value if
the repair is done correctly. And pins in the clarinet emphatically DO
NOT change the playing characteristics. Granted, there are only a
handful of people in this country that are truly qualified do make this
kind of repair, but with the efficiency of 2nd Day air shippers it is
not a problem to get instruments to the qualified repair person.
Clark W Fobes
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