Klarinet Archive - Posting 000474.txt from 2002/03

From: "Franklin Kercher" <kranwli@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] New vs. Old - Any thoughts?
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 01:11:21 -0500

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robyn Brown" <rjbrown@-----.edu>
Subject: [kl] New vs. Old - Any thoughts?

I still play regularly on my Freeman bought new in1961. The only
problem it has right now is that the trill keys are getting a bit wobbly and
sloppy but that is fixable. I also have other clarinets dating back to the
20s & 30s. Though they don't have the latest technology like undercut holes,
they play just fine. You may have the facing on your mouthpiece touched up
as there was a discussion about the facing changing over time. This could
maybe change the way you horn plays.

> Hi all,
>
> I am a college freshman who has been playing the clarinet since 5th
> grade. I am currently playing on a beautiful old Buffet R-13, serial
> number 113XXX (as I recall that dates about to 1969, but it's been a while
> since I've checked). Recently, my clarinet teacher has suggested that it
> may be time to buy a new instrument. He believes that clarinets that are
> used regularly are only good for about 15 years before the quality of
> intonation, sound, response, etc. deteriorates. However, I just brought
my
> clarinet to a repairman that I trust for some adjustment work, and when I
> mentioned that I was considering a new instrument, he was surprised. He
> thought that I was going to have to look pretty hard to find an instrument
> that sounded as nice as mine. So, my question is, what are your thoughts
> on new vs. old instruments? Do clarinets improve over time, or does the
> quality decrease? I trust the opinion of both my teacher and my
repairman,
> so I'm not sure what the best answer is.
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Robyn
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> It's Sneezy.Org Pledge time. Please visit
> http://www.sneezy.org/Pledge.html
>

---------------------------------------------------------------------
It's Sneezy.Org Pledge time. Please visit
http://www.sneezy.org/Pledge.html