Klarinet Archive - Posting 000857.txt from 1997/08

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Pad question
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 1997 14:26:19 -0400

Mr. Johnson makes several very good points here.....

I forgot to mention.....I now wait one year before having my horns
"overhauled".....but.....for the reason that if the horn cracks, the
warranty (one year), does not cover aftermarket service. This happened to
my Bb Prestige last year, and I had to have my insurance cover the cost of
the service.

RG

On Wed, 20 Aug 1997, Nathaniel Johnson wrote:

>
> I would agree with you that the factory pads in this case are probably
> sufficient. I would disagree about having a brand new horn (excuse
> me...instrument) overhauled immediately upon purchase. Here's why: As a
> new instrument is relocated, i.e. sold, it naturally will swell or
> contract from the change in climate/humidity. The same will happen when
> it begins to be played. This slight change in the instrument will cause
> the posts (the little silver things that stick out of the clarinet and to
> which the keys are attached) to get slightly closer or farther away,
> sometimes causing the keys to bind. I don't believe this process ever
> stops in the lifetime of a clarinet that is being played regularly, but I
> DO belive that it is much more severe during the breaking-in period.
> Consequently, I would not spend money to have a brand-new instrument
> overhauled when it will just get out of adjustment again very quickly.
> This is similar to the opinion that I posted a number of months ago on
> the subject of breaking in reeds. I said that until the reed gets used
> to being wet and dry, wet and dry (and being played, too, to an extent),
> the fibers will we constantly "moving", so any balancing or adjustment
> would be in vain, as the reed would just change again the next day, or
> even the next hour. I will not speculate on what the best way to break
> in an instrument is, or how long it takes.
>
> I would rather not revisit the subject of how to make your reeds last
> longer (although if someone has a strong opinion, be my guest), but I
> would invite further comment on breaking in/overhauling clarinets. My
> self-esteem is at an acceptable level, so flames are welcome, too.
>
> Nathaniel Johnson
> Conductor / Clarinettist
> All-Around Good Guy
> University of Northern Colorado
> clarinat@-----.com
>
> On Tue, 19 Aug 1997 18:07:19 -0400 m_shoe@-----.com (Michelle N Shoemaker)
> writes:
> >I spent some time today reading past postings about pad types and
> >the pros and cons.
> >I do not want to start another "pad" thread, but I do have one
> >question:
> >
> >When I bought my first R-13 back in 1986 (I was 13), I was told to
> >have a complete
> >overhaul done to my horn before even taking it out of the case.
> >If I buy a new R-13 with GoreTex pads, and this is my "pad of choice",
> >then aren't the pads put on in the factory sufficient?
> >(I realize that some people prefer to replace SPECIFIC pads on the
> >clarinet
> >with cork or Valentino.)
> >
> >Thanks,
> >
> >Michelle Shoemaker
> >
>