Klarinet Archive - Posting 000614.txt from 1997/04

From: John Kolb <jlkolb@-----.com>
Subj: Intro/Bundy
Date: Sun, 20 Apr 1997 16:28:35 -0400

Guess I should first do a short intro. I played clarinet in
HS and college band from 56 - 62, never getting above the middle
of the ~30 clarinets in the band. Spent one marching season as a
tuba instead, so the band could fill the back row with 8 tubas,
and ended up as the second 1st chair bass clarinet.

My younger daughter has been playing trumpet 4 years now, but fools
around on other instruments also. Must be my magnetic personality -
as I stroll around garage sales and swap meets, musical instruments
are attracted to me, and a piccillo, a C trumpet, and now, a
Bundy Bb clarinet have followed me home.

Rather amazed to find I could still play clarinet and read music,
as long as there weren't too many sharps or flats. No lips left, of
course. Must be like riding a bicycle.

Needed some work on the Bundy so figuring with all the hours I spent
watching my band director replace pads, it couldn't be too hard,
read Sneezy on pad replacement, ordered a Eric Brand Repair manual
and a set of magic space age silicone rubber pads and set to work.
Well, MOST of the pads I replaced don't leak - maybe this isn't
quite as easy as it looks. Still having trouble with the top side
key - never found a use for this key, not on any fingering charts
I have, so may leave a piece of tape under the pad. Had to bend
the A flat key to a deeper U shape to keep it from hitting the
priviously mentioned side key, so need a longer screw for the A key
lift. Having to bend some of the other finger rings - they sit so
high, the fingers don't seal the holes. Also need to replace a few of
the piviot screws that are bent. Think this instrument led a hard life.

Not sure if I'm ready to try replacing the joint corks or not,
but my duaghter signed up for clarinet lessons starting next week,
so need to beat this one back into playable shape.

The barrel is broken into two pieces, 3/16" above the bottom, under
the ring. Any suggestions on a proper glue/solvent to repair it?

This is a model 577, plastic, of course. Did Bundy have different
grades of instruments - if so where would this one sit, or when
was that model number used?

Wish I had my old Noblet back - $189 in 1956, wood with plastic bell.

John Kolb Electronics Engineer jlkolb@-----.com