Klarinet Archive - Posting 000337.txt from 2000/09

From: Clarial@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Buffet vs. Selmer Bass Clarinets and Hans Moenig
Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2000 11:09:45 -0400

Daniel Leeson makes some interesting remarks about Hans Moenig's refusal to
work on his Selmer bass in 1956. In 1983, I took may Selmer bass to Moenig
and he fundamentally transformed the instrument into a great horn. Moenig
was a pretty crusty figure (at 12 noon, he told me to go away for an hour so
he could eat his lunch in peace), but it was amazing watching this "old
world" craftsman at work. Subsequently, Moenig worked his magic on my Buffet
clarinets. He charged somewhere between $8 and $15 per hour. I don't doubt
Daniel Leeson's experience. Perhaps in in 27 years, Moenig mellowed. If so,
maybe there's some hope for (some of) the rest of us.

Albert Hunt

<< Date: Sat, 09 Sep 2000 19:33:41 -0700
To: "klarinet@-----.org>
From: Daniel Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subject: buffet and selmer bass clarinets
Message-ID: <39BAF305.8068C7B1@-----.net>

The reaction of Brannen woodwinds with respect to refusing to do repairs
on Selmer bass clarinets is shocking indeed. But this attitude reflects
exactly the same position of the famous Philadephia repairperson, Hans
Moenig, who also refused to to any work on any Selmer instrument. I was
in the Army in Fort Dix, NJ in 1956, playing on a full Boehm Selmer, and
had some problems with it. I took it to him and he refused to look at
it. He was not only discouraging, he was insulting. I was humiliated
and young enough to think that he might have had valid reason for his
attitude. I had not, at that stage, developed teeth. Today, I would
have sunk those teeth into his throat for that insult.

I never went back to him after that. He may have done brilliant work
but I would have no knowledge of this. All I remember was his smug
attitude about repairing my instrument. I had little money at the time
and had taken a 1 hour bus ride to see him. I could ill afford even the
bus fare but went anyway. In return for this, he treated my instrument
as if it were made of shit. And I remembered always how he treated it
and me.

I don't know where people come up with this kind of attitude; that is,
were they born ignorant or do they feel that such an attitude will give
them a good reputation.

--
***************************
** Dan Leeson **
** leeson0@-----.net **
***************************
>>

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