Klarinet Archive - Posting 000480.txt from 1998/08

From: "Cox, Graeme" <Graeme.Cox@-----.nz>
Subj: RE: Re: [kl] A nasty question about Buffet
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 17:45:43 -0400

" Perhaps if enough people share their experiences here, we can come
up with
> some sort of empirical conclusion about the likelihood of cracking based
> on year of manufacture.
>
Good suggestion, Cindy. But who is going to collate the contributions from
list members?

My R13 Bb is from 1971 and has no cracks. I've owned it for four years so
can't comment on its early-life treatment. But I treat it with a degree of
paranoia! I also own a 1950 Selmer which has a surface crack in the upper
joint which, fortunately has not developed in spite of the clarinet being
played every day for the past year. (Guess which one I prefer playing).

It is tempting to speculate on why cracks occur. I suspect that most caring
clarinet owners are aware of the risk and treat their instrument as they
think best. But exactly how should we approach the use of the instrument (a)
when the instrument in new, (b) when the instrument hasn't been played for
some time (and has dried out totally) and (c) when the instrument is in
regular use?

My experience is that there isn't much in the way of advice offered to
inexperienced players when new instruments are placed in their hands. The
shop may, if we are lucky, offer a little verbal advice. What do the
introductory playing tutor books tell the student and is this advice
adequate? Are those of us that own wooden instruments still in pristine
condition just lucky? Where do we go to find the very best advice on
woodwind instrument care?

Cheers,
Graeme Cox
Christchurch, New Zealand
Graeme.Cox@-----.nz

> .

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