Klarinet Archive - Posting 000475.txt from 2001/03

From: "Dee D. Hays" <deehays@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Martin Freres clarinet
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 18:38:06 -0500

1. Usually a Normandy barrel will fit a standard mouthpiece. Perhaps this
one has swollen. Or maybe your cork is a little bit too thick. His cork
was either thinner to start with or just compressed over time. You would
probably want to get a better barrel anyway later.

2. Sounds like a key went out of adjustment unexpectedly and there is a
leak causing it to jump the register. This is probably not a big deal.

3. Sounds like there is definitely a problem with the bridge key. Improper
adjustment, damage, improper repair. I don't know how serious this is.
Items 1 and 2 are not big drawbacks but this one could be serious.

I think I would probably look around some more.

Dee Hays
Michigan

----- Original Message -----
From: "David C. Kumpf" <dkumpf@-----.com>
Subject: [kl] Martin Freres clarinet

> I've been borrowing an acquaintance's R13 for a couple weeks while I
journey
> back into the clarinet (after 23 years!), and have started searching for a
> replacement, because I will have to return the R13 soon. Yesterday, I went
> to look at a clarinet listed in the paper (the first one listed in a long
> time). A Martin Freres, grenadilla wood. Looked virtually new,
nickle-plated
> keys that seem to function freely, very nice condition, new case, etc. No
> cracks, no scratches, logos still bright gold.
>
> I went to put my Vandoren mouthpiece on it. First bad sign - the
mouthpiece
> won't fit in the barrel. I look at the barrel more closely - it's an old
> Normandy barrel. I decide after a couple tries not to force the Vandoren
at
> the risk of cracking the barrel. So we clean up the guy's mouthpiece and I
> try it out.
>
> The instrument sounds pretty good (my tone is better than I expected after
> all these years, but still not where it needs to be), though it does not
> speak as easily as the R13. Then, after a few notes, it starts jumping to
> the high register when I am playing low E and F, etc....but I don't have
the
> register key down. The seller claims it was repadded recently. The pad on
> the register key is cork and the spring is good; nevertheless, the
> instrument keeps jumping to the high register. (More precisely, I finger
low
> E and F and upper B and C come out.)
>
> One more thing. The interlock tongue for the keys between the upper and
> lower joints doesn't seem to fit quite right. Looks like the part on the
> upper joint was either machined too long or welded in slightly the wrong
> place and then was bent somewhat to fit. Doesn't seem to affect the key
> action.
>
> I told the guy I had to pass. However, now I'm wondering about it. Is the
> barrel problem just that the Normandy barrel is way out of tolerance?
Should
> I just buy a Buffet (or other) barrel so I can use my mouthpiece? Or is
this
> Martin Freres instrument made to such weird specs that no barrel is ever
> likely to fit correctly? And, what is the deal with the register jump?
> Something wrong with the instrument or ?? The price seems right - < $400,
> and I can probably negotiate based on the barrel problem. Or, should I
> continue to run the other direction (which is pretty much what I did :-)).
>
> Any input from the list would be great. Thanks in advance.
>
> David C. Kumpf
> President
> Optimetra, Inc.
> 4420 Red Rock Ranch Road
> Monument, CO 80132
> mailto:dkumpf@-----.com
> http://www.optimetra.com
> (719) 481-2956 (voice)
> (719) 487-0920 (fax)
> (719) 964-8105 (mobile)
>
>
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