Klarinet Archive - Posting 000577.txt from 1996/08

From: "Mark A. Williams" <markw@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: tips for selecting a used clarinet
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 1996 14:22:29 -0400

Hello all! I have been lurking for a few days until I felt I
might have something to contribute. I enjoy the upbeat mood
of this group.

I buy and sell used instuments, so I can offer a few tips on
what to look for in low end student horns. I do recommend
starting with a plastic instrument, as the wood ones are easily
abused by the beginner (lack of oiling, leaving it on the lawn,
leaving it in the sun...). Here is a quick process to evaluate
a used student clarinet.

Even if the clarinet is at a music store, you should check it out,
as not all instruments in stores have had recent adjustments.
If you play, obviously the first step would be to play the
instrument. If it plays well, and you like the cosmetics of
the instrument and case, you can make an offer based on what
used clarinets sell for in your area. Your student should be
present, ideally, they will have an emotional connection with
the instrument if they have a part in the selection.

Beware of off brands, they are nearly worthless. Stay with well
known brands, such as Selmer, Bundy, Yamaha, Vito, Artley, Conn,
Leblanc, Evette and several others. Chinese clarinets in my
experience have been extremely poor in durability -- keys bend easily.

If it has problems, you need to determine how much repairs would cost
to assess the value of the horn. I assign a cost to most repairs below.

First inspect the body parts for cracks and for correctness (not a
Frankenstein). Look for bent keys, common if the instrument is dropped
or placed in the case wrong. The tenons should not be cracked, all
screws should be present, posts not bent. I reject anything with damage
or even sound repairs, unless it is a finer wood clarinet. If the case
needs replacement, figure it's cost also (cheapest cases run $35, you can
pay much more).

If the basic body is sound, and keys intact, inspect the horn to
determine repair costs. Check all tenon corks for integrity. These
are easily replaced, but subtract from value if damaged. Figure
$10 for each needing replacement (in your area this may vary a bit,
but this is a starting safe estimate).

Check the mouthpiece for damage to the tip. Any chipping means
it is possibly useless, and a replacement will cost extra.
My baseline mouthpiece is the Yamaha 4C, $28 list, for reference.

Check each and every pad for damage and seal. Moths love the wool in
clarinet pads, and just storing one for a few years can be disastrous.
I have an old Bundy that has a perfect body, but every pad is totally
eaten away to the paper backing -- I show this to my technician friends
for a laugh. The quick go-nogo pad test is to suck on both body sections
separately with all keys closed. If you get a hard vacuum, the pads
in that section are probably good. If there are leaks, track them down
by sound (hiss). (Of course a leak light is the right tool for this,
but you are not likely to have one with you at all times). Figure a
high estimate of $5 per pad as replacement cost.

All of this takes about 1 minute, if you make it habitual.
Finally, add in the charge any technician will make for adjusting,
cleaning and so forth to bring the repaired instrument to
"play condition", say $45. To determine a fair offer on the
instrument, you should know the retail value of used clarinets
in your area, and deduct for each repair and for the lack of warranty
if a private party. Very often, the instrument will have so many
repairs needed that it is a bad buy.

Wooden clarinets are a totally different story for another time.
While the same basic issues are important, you also have brand,
model, age, wood type, tone and other factors determining value.
Best of luck in finding a good instument for your child.