Klarinet Archive - Posting 000441.txt from 2003/08

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Questions, questions
Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2003 23:12:48 -0400

At 09:13 PM 8/17/2003 -0400, Martha E. wrote:
>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?

If the instruments have been sitting idle that long, even under the best of
conditions, they probably need to be re-padded/re-corked. This is common,
everyday work for a repair shop. In the shop at the store where I work,
that would run around $110 each, but is often higher in other locations,
especially places like New York. Both of those are student models (well,
the Henri Pourcelle is maybe intermediate, run of the mill French
production) but either one is WELL worth the money to re-pad. (Contrary to
Gary Van Cott's advice, the Bundy is worth considerably MORE that $75, just
not to HIM!) If you buy someone else's second-hand instrument, it may well
need just as much work to bring up to playing shape. I'd recommend fixing
the ones you have for now, and consider upgrading in a year or so if you
find that you are likely to stick with it (and can afford it).

Bill Hausmann

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

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