Klarinet Archive - Posting 000197.txt from 2003/02

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] new r-13 question
Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2003 08:15:19 -0500

At 12:50 AM 2/8/2003 -0800, Joseph Stevens wrote:

>--- Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net> wrote:
> > It is entirely likely that you are getting
> > wood-on-wood binding, not just
> > tight cork joints. This happens very frequently
> > with new clarinets,
> > especially the high-quality models that are made to
> > tighter tolerances, as
> > the instrument breaks in and the wood expands and
> > contracts. It is very
> > easily corrected by a technician, and should be done
> > at no charge by the
> > store you bought it from.
>
>My R13 Bb (#203758--made in 1980) has the same
>problem, but it isn't as toublesome as something else
>that I have noticed. For a 23 year old clarinet the
>tenons are in remarkable shape, as they look like they
>received little to no wear with no chips or cracks,
>and fit well in the joints.
>
>However, the three main tenon joints have gaps in them
>when the clarinet is assembled and I have pushed the
>pieces together as far as they will go. The gap
>between the lower joint and the bell isn't too
>extreme, and my clarion B and C natural come in
>dead-on intonation wise so I can't complain; and the
>same applies to the middle tenon joint. The joint
>where the barrel attaches to the upper joint of the
>clarinet, however, has me slightly concerned. The gap
>there is large enough to just slide a quarter into it,
>and my open G is usually about 15 cents flat. This
>gap was present before my clarinet went in for an
>overhaul when I first bought it, and its still around
>after.
>
>I'm guessing either the inside of the barrel or the
>lower portion of the tenon has swollen, so the barrel
>fits smoothly until it gets to a point where it will
>go no further. Looking down the bore without my
>mouthpiece on the clarinet I can see that the tenon
>isn't too long as there's about a quarter's width of
>space to go. I'm betting its the tenon, as the barrel
>off my other clarinet will sit flush with the upper
>joint and upon removing it there is a layer of cork
>grease everywhere *except* for a portion where it
>rubbed away as though there too tight of a fit at that
>spot. Does anybody have an educated guess as to
>what's happening, and is this a cheap and easy problem
>to have fixed?

Sounds like the same problem, but more extreme. The tenon has probably
swollen to the point that it will no longer fit into the barrel at
all. This should be easily corrected by a technician, although I am
surprised it was not addressed in the overhaul.

>While I'm at it, I've also noticed certain notes
>(middle C to the E at the bottom of the staff) have an
>audible buzzing sound going on when I play. I've
>ruled out the mouthpiece as I can play other clarinets
>without the buzzing with my mouthpiece and reed. In
>case its important though I play on a Charles Bay H2
>MO-L, and a Vandoren blue box #4 reed. Its just my
>R13 that does this though, so I'm wondering if I have
>a leaky pad or something of that nature? Or could it
>possibly tie into my little problem with that top
>tenon joint?

This is sometimes caused by loose skin on a pad.

Bill Hausmann

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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