Klarinet Archive - Posting 000126.txt from 2004/01

From: "Steve Fowler" <steve@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Cracks, cracks
Date: Sun, 4 Jan 2004 15:59:26 -0500

Yes, Bill. A band does not necessarily mean an inferior horn. I just did
that to stir things up a little. As far as shrinking the bore goes, the
pressure applied to the band is sufficient to close the crack, not just
tighten the band. This pressure can cause a shrinking in the spot where
the band is installed. Usually, this is in the top joint above the "A"
key. This area of the instrument is not truly cylindrical, but a series of
tapers. A reamer would have to be of the same design and those are not to
be found. I made one myself for a Buffet R-13, but if the bore has shrunk
even a few thousandths (not uncommon) I would not run a reamer through it.
It would just cause too much of a change.

Steve

******** Fowler Music Service ********
- Custom Band Instrument Repair -
***** Plating in Silver and Gold *****
602 Kent Avenue
Pasadena, MD 21122
410.647.9537
www.fowlermusic.com

Bill Hausmann said:
> At 12:12 PM 1/4/2004 -0500, Steve Fowler wrote:
>>...For years, there have been two schools of thought on repairing
>> clarinet cracks. One that was supported by Selmer and others involved
>> shrinking a nickel or silver ring into a slot cut into the clarinet
>> body by using a 1 ton or larger press and forcing the crack to close.
>> The crack all but disappeared. However, this left the bore with a
>> reduction where the ring squeezed the wood that many of us feel affects
>> the sound and intonation. It also left (IMHO) an unsightly, foreign
>> metal ring on the surface of the instrument advertising to the entire
>> world that your instrument was cracked and therefore inferior. No
>> longer pure... not a virgin anymore...
>
> Good thorough posting, although I wonder about this section. I do not
> understand how the flush-banding process would necessarily result in any
> disturbance to the bore. The place where the band goes is cut to fit
> it, so that it will, in fact BE flush with the outer surface of the
> clarinet WITHOUT impinging on the bore. And I would suppose a quick
> pass with a reamer could solve the problem even if it DID exist. I
> know some people think the band stifles the vibration of the
> instrument, but I question that as well. I don't even find the bands
> all THAT unsightly, although if one cuts through the logo stamping THAT
> is esthetically somewhat
> unpleasing. Yes, it DOES unmistakably mark a REPAIRED clarinet, but it
> does not necessarily brand it INFERIOR. It may still be a terrific
> player. Benny Goodman was often pictured in his heyday playing
> flush-banded clarinets, and I'm sure Selmer would have given him
> anything he wanted. In fact, the picture on the CD I am holding right
> now clearly shows two flush bands on his upper joint.
>
>
>
> Bill Hausmann
>
> If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!
>
>
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