Klarinet Archive - Posting 000674.txt from 1998/02

From: "line ringuette" <lringuet@-----.net>
Subj: re: buffet E12 clarinet
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 21:05:26 -0500

Feb. 16/98

Help!

A student of mine recently purchased a Buffet E12 clarinet from the
WoodWind and BrassWind and is having some problems with the
instrument....as I am not very familiar with this model, I would like to
ask the clarinetists of this list a few questions.

The instrument is 3months old, and already has started to tarnish
(oxidize?!) severely. This tarnishing does NOT look anything like the
gradual and normal wearing away that is occuring on my R13 with
nickel-silver keys. Many of the keys on my student's horn are DARKENING -
becoming black/blueish; furthermore, this is occuring in areas where his
hands do not touch the keys regularly (ie: lower joint, all along the LH
E/B and F#/C# levers!) He is quite worried about his new horn. His family
is planning a return trip to the WWand BW this Saturday to have the techs
there look at it (this is a 5-6 hour drive, by the way, with 4 kids going
along!)

1) has anyone else ever heard, or had personal experience with this
problem?
2) does anyone know if this is common to the E12 model, or is it just his
horn in particular?
3) if you have had personal experience with this problem, what was done to
resolve it?

While I do realize that student model clarinets may not receive the same
quality parts that a professional model would, I have never seen instrument
keys darken in this way before. I also have another student playing on B12
and it looks perfectly fine. Furthermore, my student began his playing on
a Bundy clarinet (way lower grade), and it still looks great!

I would greatly appreciate any help that anyone can offer me, as this is a
very long trip for his family to undertake, and it would be good if they
knew ahead of time what to tell the techs at the store.
Thank you very much,
Sincerely,
Ms. Line Ringuette
lringuet@-----.net