Klarinet Archive - Posting 000297.txt from 2004/08

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Morrie's contribution
Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2004 16:18:13 -0400

I'm going to throw a few observations out here in no particular order,
regarding the current flurry of e-mails>

1. There can be no ONE price for an overhaul. First of all, there is no
general agreement on what comprises an overhaul -- if you don't believe me,
go
back to the archives about a year back. There were as many different
definitions
of overhaul, as there were attempts to define it.
Also, no two clarinets need the same amount of work, so if you establish a
flat price, you will be undercharging some people and overcharging others.

2. While the best barrel for a clarinet is often the one that came with it
(you picked it out with that barrel, didn't you?), many clarinets can
benefit
from a new barrel. The biggest improvements in my mind are not in the area
of
tone, but in intonation improvement. For example, I just got in an A
clarinet
for an "overhaul". I tested it with several different mouthpieces and with
every test, I came up with hugely oversized 12ths in the upper joint. This
can
be corrected with a new barrel, and most likely an improvement in tone
will
occur.

3. I think the bell is the most ignored area of the clarinet and where I
see
many manufacturing faults. The tenon sockets are sometimes out of round, or
the edge of the bore is ragged, either or both of which can affect the tone
of
the entire clarinet. I think Morrie's concentrating on improving the
clarinet bell was way overdue.

4. Different clarinets for different repertoire? You may pooh-pooh the
idea,
but it is coming. We may not like it, but Basset clarinets are here to
stay.
There is a resurgence in interest in the C clarinet. Some people play
German
clarinets for German repertoire. Etc.

5. Morrie - I have inspected some of his work and some of his products. In
most cases I was highly impressed. He has made a huge investment in
equipment,
measurements, staff, materials. Based on this, I'm sure that his prices are
very fair.

Walter Grabner
www.clarinetXpress.com
World-class clarinet, bass clarinet, and Eb clarinet mouthpieces
International shipping no problem!

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