Klarinet Archive - Posting 000399.txt from 1996/01

From: Scott Lipcon <slipcon@-----.NET>
Subj: Re: repairing clarinet cracks
Date: Sun, 21 Jan 1996 11:54:29 -0500

Hi... My clarinet (Buffet S1) has a small crack in it that goes from the
top joint down to the A key-hole. It doesn't leak or anything, and it
closes up when I keep the humidity right. My repairman (Albert Alphin,
outside of Boston) tells me that he used to pin them, but now he prefers
to do a graphite band (not like what was described with metal bands) that
he puts in, one at either end of the crack, which keeps it from
expanding, and at the same time holds it closed. It looks a bit funny,
because the graphite has a slightly different shine than the wood it
replaces, but he says he's NEVER had one crack again. He also
recommended that if the crack is small, and isn't affecting anything,
that its ok just to watch it and take good care of it (swab everytime
you play, use a "Dampit" type thing to keep the outside humidfied). I'd
still suggest having it checked out.

Scott

+-----------------------------------+ GCS/T d? H- g+(?) p3 !au a-- w+ v+(++)(*)
|Scott Lipcon [SLipcon@-----.net]| C++(++++) UB P+ L>++ 3 N++ W--- M++ -po+
|http://www.tiac.net/users/slipcon/ | Y+ t--- 5-- j+ R- G'''' tv- b+ D+ B---
+-----------------------------------+ e-(*) v+ h! r* n- y?