Klarinet Archive - Posting 001184.txt from 2003/03

From: Nancy Buckman <eefer@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Buffet E-11 "C" clarinet problem
Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 14:47:24 -0500

At 12:42 AM 3/28/2003 -0500, you wrote:
>I just got back from a rehearsal, where a friend showed up with his new C
>clarinet.
>We examined the C clarinet after the rehearsal. Trying four different
>mouthpieces, and two different barrel, we still came up against throat
>tones that were 20 to 30 cents flat, when third line B and fourth line C
>were right on the button.
>There was also a curious "stuffiness" to the horn, even though pad heights
>looked fine, if not too open.
>
>
>When I first got my C (rosewood Patricola) I had this problem too. I
>sent the clarinet back to Patricola and they made a special barrel and
>told me not to use the two barrels that came with the clarinet. It solved
>the problems beautifully and the clarinet has a nice even scale from top
>to bottom. I love this clarinet. I might mention too, that the
>Patricola family sends holiday greetings via e-mail every year and are so
>friendly whenever I meet up with them at some event or other. Their
>service has been excellent and when I have needed advice about adjustments
>as the clarinets that I bought begin to show wear, they are very free with
>information. My instruments are now almost four years old and still play
>beautifully, as well as look brand new. And I'm not one to take special
>precautions or extra care with my instruments. I bought them to use and
>use them, I do. They go with me to work (I work as a pool operator and
>sometimes sit on the pool deck at lunch and play - excellent accoustics),
>sit in my car trunk on occasion in the heat and cold and I eat while I
>play many times. I do keep them clean and occasionally have to take them
>apart to clean and oil the mechanisms, but they certainly aren't
>babied. I have gotten my money's worth out of them and their manufacturer.
Nancy

Nancy Buckman
Principal Clarinet / Orchestra AACC
eefer@-----.net

---------------------------------------------------------------------