Klarinet Archive - Posting 000331.txt from 1996/04

From: Neil Leupold <nleupold@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Relax about cracks?!
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 1996 21:07:01 -0400

I would suggest that you bring your instrument to a really good tech who
could pin it right -- in such a manner that the pins and filler are flush
with the wood and color-matched as well. But since the instrument
apparently has that remarkable sound, maybe it's best to leave it well
enough alone and continue with the occasional stop-gap measure (pun fully
intended) rather than risk altering that quality by "fixing" the pin job.

Neil

On Thu, 11 Apr 1996, Teri Herel wrote:

> My R-13 has a gaping pinned crack that George in CT regularly fills with goo
> to keep sealed. (The pins have stabolized it so the crack doesn't reach the
> bore, but it still looks like crap from the outside and the sealer eventually
> starts to fall out). I bought the clarinet this way because it had the most
> beautiful tone then, and five years later it has not changed. Every time I
> give it to George for some minor repair he shakes his head over its sound.
> Perhaps not all clarinets retain their original tone after cracking, however
> psychologically I've no problem with this cracked beastie.
>
> In a message dated 96-04-11 13:32:33 EDT, you write:
>
> >Well, you are mistaken, but the question which follows your statement is
> >still very germane. A qualified repairman, doing a first-rate job,
> >will charge between $40 and $60 per pin. I may be a bit off on the
> >details, but I think a 1 - 1.5 inch crack would require 3 pins. Multiply
> >that by $50 average. Not exactly cheap, but consider the alternatives:
> >buying an entirely new joint, or selling the whole instrument and buying
> >a whole new clarinet. If a pin is done well and the wood responds
> >favorably, there will be no notable change in timbre, response, or
> >intonation after the repair is complete. The instrument may be used as
> >if there had never been a problem. Some players are psychologically very
> >sensitive, though, and refuse to accept that a pinned clarinet is not
> >somehow inferior than a clarinet that has not been pinned. I've heard of
> >people immediately selling their instruments (at a loss) and buying a new
> >one exclusively because they had a crack pinned. It takes all kinds, I
> >guess.
> >
> >Neil
> >
> >
>