Klarinet Archive - Posting 000983.txt from 2004/07

From: "Ken Wolman" <kwolman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] eBay (was Jupiter Parisienne Series Clarinets, etc._
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2004 13:57:29 -0400

Bill Hausmann wrote:

>> ...That said, what do reliable repair services charge for a makeover.
>> Let's start with Backun (ha!) and work out way down.
>
>
> Repads run from $110 or so up. That will usually cure whatever ails the
> typical horn. An overhaul is more, of course, but will include
> EVERYTHING (new springs, swedging, etc.). The top guys charge a lot
> more, but you do get the minute attention to detail -- tweaking --that
> makes for professional-grade playing results. And bragging rights in
> your section " I had my clarinet overhauled by the guy who does (insert
> name of major artist)'s horn!"

This will of course need to wait a bit until...a few things are settled.
But: I have had two overhauls on instruments. A music store in
Columbus, OH called...started with an H, out of business, these senior
moments are getting to me...took my unplayable old Centered Tone in 1997
and for $197 and change turned it into something magnificent. I don't
know what they did. Repadding for sure, maybe just some key
adjustments. The thing still needed recorking but it played like
nothing before or since. In New York what would that have cost?

I bought a used student Selmer bass cl. in 1999 for $600 cash. It held
up for a year and a half. Then the pads went and the duct tape didn't
hold anymore:-). I was making a very nice living back then so I told
the guy to overhaul it. Everything. A week or so later it was back:
polished keywork, new springs, pads, all proper adjustments. The tab
was $525. It was worth every cent. It played like a brand new
instrument--so much so that I discovered I'd become used to compensating
for the flaws and had to learn how to play it correctly. There was no
magic here or parts the guy made himself: out-of-the-factory Selmer
stuff, and it did it. I treated the bass to a new Pomarico mouthpiece.
It wanted to belong to Giora Feidman, not to me. But a real neat
combination anyway.

I would imagine Backun does overhaul work for Morales and some others.
Frankly, Morrie would terrify me even if I had the money to pay
him--that would require to jobs, so when would I practice?:-)

ken
--
Kenneth Wolman
Proposal Development Department
Room SW334
Sarnoff Corporation
609-734-2538

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