Klarinet Archive - Posting 001074.txt from 1998/07

From: Ed Maurey <edsshop@-----.ca>
Subj: [kl] Stuffy A Clarinets
Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1998 09:48:47 -0400

Karen,
In 42 years of playing I've learned that by far the leading cause of
"stuffiness" is a teeny-weeny, itty-bitty leak! Usually a pad is the
culprit but it is surprising how an ocassional tenon cork is the
villain. A really good repair person will pinpoint your problem.

In choosing used A's you are usually trying out horns that are in need
of use and, therefore, often leaky. It's frustrating. Perhaps, the
best course is to pick a horn that "should" mate your Bb [make, vintage,
etc.] and then have it thoroughly overhauled. In my experience most A's
are really very good. They just need regular playing.
Ed Maurey

P.S. Just to contradict myself. Years ago I bought a very slightly
used A from our fellow Sneezyist Abe Galper. It had been in his
closet, completely unsued, for nearly twenty years. The pads had that
brown colour that can be achieved with considerable aging. I
remember him saying that he'd briefly tried it before shipping it to
me. He said it was teriffic. He was right. That old horn, brown pads
and all, was, and still is, a real gem. Go figure.

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