Klarinet Archive - Posting 000363.txt from 2000/09

From: rgarrett@-----.edu
Subj: Re: [kl] Repair persons as curmudgeons
Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2000 20:10:20 -0400

At 04:35 PM 09/10/2000 -0700, you wrote:
>I can also vouch for the fact that occasionally players have problems that
they blame on the instrument and despite the fact that it is perfectly
adjusted they insist that it is not. This situation requires some diplomacy.

Yup....they do. But, in deference, it is tiresome to take your Leblanc
Basset Horn, your Buffet Prestige, and your Eb Prestige to the technician
and be told that the instrument has design flaws and it will never seal
properly!

>I spent 23 years of my life repairing instruments and devoted the last 10
to clarinets only. It was getting to the point that I could not stand to
sit down and overhaul one more instrument. I am now retired from instrument
repair and am VERY happy just performing and making mouthpieces.

I consider myself lucky that you did the repair/overhaul of a Selmer
contra-eb for me - fantastic job. It plays magnificantly! I wish I could
convince you to do one more......

>I have one last project to finish before I go into full retirement. I am
in the process of overhauling both of Dan Leesons full Boehm Selmer
clarinets (Yes! The very one that Hans Moennig would not work on) I only
agreed to work on these instruments for Dan, because:
>
> A) He is a very agreeable and sweet guy
> B) Somebody named Vinny called and said if I did not repair Dan's
clarinets "he knew some people".
> C) The fee I am charging Dan will fund my retirement.

What an amazing description! I am sure that all of what you say is true.
*achem*

Sincerely,
Roger Garrett

Roger Garrett
Professor of Clarinet
Director, Symphonic Winds
Advisor, IWU Recording Services
Illinois Wesleyan University
School of Music
Bloomington, IL 61702-2900
(309) 556-3268

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