Klarinet Archive - Posting 000607.txt from 1999/10

From: "Franklin Kercher" <kranwli@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] metal clarinets
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 02:02:10 -0400

-----Original Message-----
From: Krh214@-----.com>
Date: Tuesday, October 19, 1999 4:28 PM
Subject: [kl] metal clarinets

>Hi,
>
>iIm new to the list, and an amused owner of what appears to me an, uhm,
>really well-aged B flat soprano clarinet (excuse me if I get the terminolgy
>not-quite-right. I've never played clarinet--but I've got lots of flutes,
>whistles, recorders, etc.). One never knows what one will find at a flea
>market!
>
>Anyway, questions:
> What's the reasonong behind making a clarinet out of metal instead of
>wood or plastic?
>
> This particular horn has on it's bell"
>*Collegiate*Made by Holton*Elkhart, Wis.
>serial number 195746. Can anyone help me figure out the age of this
>instrument (approximate is good enough)
>
> I stoped by a woodwind shop today, and bought some reeds, cork stuff, a
>swab and a Valentino pad set, since a cusory inspection indicated that the
>pads on there right now are moth eaten.
> There are also apparently moth eggs on the surface of the horn--GROSS!!
>(like I said, one never knows what one will find at a flea market), so
>another question: Any recomendations of how best to clean this sucker?
I'm
>wildly optimistic about successfully replacing the pads on this horn, and
I'd
>hate for the moths to re-attack.
>
>I appreciate your responses.
>
>Kimberly Holt
>Raleigh, North Carolina
>USA
>First of all, on this line you'll get alot of negative feed back about
metal clarinets. Mostly by folks who don,t own one or have never tried a
GOOD one and there are some good ones out there and there are some real
clunkers. Starting about the turn off the century and up to just after WW2
these were made by the thousands as a tough durable student model horn. A
few good pro quality with good tone and intonation were produced but these
are rare and hard to find. I have one. The other two I own are clunkers, but
still fun to play on. If the one you have is silver model, DON'T use silver
dip to shine it up. The acid in this stuff will cause your springs to rrust
up break off. This repair will cost you more than the horn is worth. Use a
silver cloth from your local band shop (usually blue) without pummice. As
for the pads, this is a metal horn like a sax and would be better with the
white kid leather pads, but these aint cheap. I've done mine with standard
skin pads and it seems to be holding up fine ( 4 years now). I've had a few
people tell me to make a lamp or lightning rod out of mine. If its missing
parts or beyond reasonal repair go for it, but if its fixable, play it, its
fun.
>
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