Klarinet Archive - Posting 000439.txt from 2003/08
From: "Matthew Lloyd" <Matthew@-----.uk>
Subj: RE: [kl] Questions, questions
Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2003 21:50:46 -0400
Difficult to come up with precise advice, being as I am over in England.
But a recent full overhaul on my old school instruments was in fact as
expensive as a new student instrument. I paid three hundred pounds each,
and a new Buffet or Yamaha is in that region (all figures cited in
proper English pounds, not some of these new fangled currencies from
elsewhere).
I felt it was worth it for the history of them to me. Certainly no
economic case can be made - were I to sell them I would be lucky to see
my money back! On the other hand I did have them done at one of the top
places......
If I had just been after an instrument to play there would be a lot to
say for getting a new one given that your Bundy is no professional
instrument.
You don't say what your budget is. In my case (I'm a lawyer) I had money
to go shopping big time and bought a pair of Buffet instruments, before
going on to buy an Eb and Bass (and onwards and onwards).
If you are looking at an Eb bear in mind that they are (as I am sure you
recall) little beasts if you don't behave and treat them with respect. I
don't recognise what you say your Eb was, but if it was a nice one it is
certainly worth replacing the cork (by which I assume you mean that on
the tenons (or joints) as that is not a large job. If you want to
replace it then the new Buffet Prestige (the one without the bell ring)
is a lovely instrument.
Get back to the clarinet - you won't regret it.
Matthew Lloyd
-----Original Message-----
From: Martha E. [mailto:capeeire@-----.net]
Subject: [kl] Questions, questions
Good evening - or afternoon or morning, if you're not in the New England
time zone. :o)
First, a brief history - I started B flat clarinet at age 8, picked up
Eflat soprano when I was 12 and played both through college, and then .
. . stuff happened. Five years later, when I desperately needed to play
music, I picked up flute. That was 10 years ago. Recently, I was coerced
into playing with a community "wind symphony" and loved it so much that
a friend questioned why I was playing flute. After all, her reasoning
went, there are 8-10 flutists and zero soprano "clarineters" (her word,
not mine) and so she challenged me to dust off my instruments and try
playing again.
And here's where the questions begin (other than - am I completely out
of my mind attempt this). The clarinets need a lot more than "dusting
off". The soprano is by Henri Pourcelle - springs and pads appear OK,
but the corks are very dry. Would they need to be replaced or can they
be salvaged? The B flat is an old Bundy student model that the springs
appear to be OK, but the corks are also very dry and one pad actually
fell out. Is repairing it worth it, or should I consider purchasing a
second hand instrument?
And if repairing is the way to go (or even consider) does anyone know of
decent repair people in the north central Massachusetts/southern New
Hampshire area?
Comments, anyone? Advice, opinions, even psychiatric recommendations . .
. <g>
Peace,
Martha E.
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