Klarinet Archive - Posting 000603.txt from 1996/12

From: Dexter Churchill <dechurch@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Cracked clarinet
Date: Sun, 22 Dec 1996 16:11:18 -0500

>
>I recently purchased a Buffet R-13 for a student. Picked the one horn out of
>a batch of ten. Since then, the clarinet developed a crack into the top side
>key tone hole. The question is, do I advise the student to take the buffet
>warrantee which is replacement of the top joint, or do I advise him/er to
>have the crack repaired and keep the one instrument chosen out of the ten?
> Any thoughts?

This sounds like a reprise of my R13 purchase in 1975. I tried out over
15 R13s in 5 different cities before choosing one to buy. The intonation
and response of the chosen one was superior to any other that I had
tried. (The altissimo F sharp was even in tune!).

Nine days later a crack appeared in the upper joint. I wrote a very
detailed letter to Buffet outlining my detailed selection process, the
fact that I was performing professionally in a symphony orchestra as well
as chamber music groups, etc. I said that I preferred to have the joint
repaired rather than accept a new untried upper joint from them. However,
without any further communication, they sent me a new upper joint. There
were many intonation deficiencies. The altissimo F sharp (regular
fingering) was 15 cents flat, virtually useless. I have had, at my own
expense, some of the intonation problems improved but not that F sharp.

Not being a repair technician, I cannot vouch for what effect repairing
the crack would have on the intonation and response of your clarinet,
but, if I had it to do over again, I would opr for the repair. However,
some of the repair specialist on this list might shed some light on this.

Dex

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