 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Lori
Date: 2000-10-01 07:54
I am so excited to find this site. I have an old Buffet that I played for many years and when in College I packed it away never more to get it out. While cleaning out my mother's closets I found my Buffet last month. I'm thrilled again to hopefully be able to play again.
I was a very good player in my time, in the symphony etc, but the poor instrument looks a bit hazy. The keys are a bit "metal green". Obviously it will need to be completely repadded and recorked before I can play it. Can the keys be reshined? What do I need to do to get the instrument in playing condition again?
Also I'd love to know which model Buffet I have. I know it was a huge sacrifice for my parents to give me this instrument of this caliber, which was used at the time we bought it in the very early 70's. I would imagine it is probably at least 30-40 years old. It has the traditional logo, but the gold in the letters has worn out. It was played by my teacher who was a soloist in the NY Philharmonic before I purchased it from him. I have searched high and low on it and can't find any serial numbers anywhere. Can someone tell me where to look on my clarinet for this serial?
Also the bell has two cracks which were there from an accident, which didn't effect the tone before, can the cracks be repaired? They are only noticable from the inside of the bell. I know the mouthpiece is a specially handcrafted one that my teacher had made special for me when I was competing, and I do somewhere have the original mouthpiece, I just don't know where.
I hate to let just anyone touch this special instrument, how do I know who I can trust to help me restore it back to its working condition? I'm being quoted $125 for repadding and cleaning, but I don't know if that is reasonable or not, or if I should have it looked at by someone who knows more about these Clarinets?
Finally has anyone been away from their instrument this long (20 years) and been able to pick it up and play well again, and if so how long was the process, did you remember a lot, does it come back to you quickly?
I've not put the instrument together because I don't have cork grease and I wanted to get it looked at before I did much with it.
I thank all of you in advance for your replies.
Sincerely,
Lori Scott
Texas
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-10-01 13:27
If it only has the company logo with no model name on it, then it should be one of their professional level instruments. Depending on the exact age (and you need to find the serial number to be sure), it could possibly be an R-13. This model was introduced in the 1950s, so if you know that your parents purchased it new and it doesn't have a model name on it, then it almost certainly is an R-13. Serial numbers are generally on the back side of an instrument. Take it out into bright sunlight and you might be able to see an otherwise difficult to find number.
The price you were quoted is very reasonable for a complete repad and recork job. Any competent clarinet repair technician can handle this task. The technician can also buff the keys to get them looking good again. The cracks in the bell should be repaired so that you don't risk them going all the way through. Again any competent repair tech can handle all these tasks as they are standard repair work.
There are several of us on this board that were away from our clarinets for many years. I was away from my clarinet for over 20 years. Basically I could still play music but was slightly rusty across the board but could still sight read at a reasonable level and technique was still reasonable.
Get your horn fixed up, join a community band, and have fun.
A few lessons with a really good teacher will help you find where you need to focus on your "comeback."
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-10-01 15:22
Dee's good advice , as usual, "covers the waterfront!" . I would only add , be sure to use cork grease as the dry corks may crumble, and there may be some change of dimension of the wood tenons and sockets so dont force an assembly if it seems difficult. Some repairers recommend a hot oil treatment to restore life to the wood, probably a good idea if it seems very dry. There is lots of advice on our BBoard re: mouthpieces, just get a good one. A skillful tech likely can measure the bore sizes at several locations in the upper joint which may help in identifying an early R13 as differentiated from a later [after about 1955, with Carree's improvements ] . Welcome back, Don
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Author: Ron D
Date: 2000-10-01 15:28
I was away for over 40 years and I was able to play somewhat but lession are needed. My tone leaves something to be desired but is geting better. Your EMBOUCHURE ( thanks Mark) will take some time to improve but the rest will come much easier. Good luck with your comeback it will be fun.
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Author: William
Date: 2000-10-01 16:10
Lori--If you live close to Denton, Tx., I suggest you look up Tom Ridenour for an expert opiion on your clarinet. He is associated with Brooks-Mays Music. If you don't, I think that it would be safe to assume that you have a special clarinet (played by NY Philly "soloist"--was his last name Drucker??) and worth any expense to put it in playing condition. The crack is not serious and can be repairly easily by any repairperson who doesn't also do automobile mufflers. Your custom mp sounds as if it may be special and I suggest trying it before you buy a new one. Buy a box of VanDoren # 2.5's, join a local community band, and rejoin the wonderful world of music. You will be surprise how quickly "it all" may come back to you. Good luck--William
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-10-01 16:26
I was away from Clarinet for 27-28 years. Its easy to get back in the swing of things. As a returning clarinetist, I think its safe to say that whatever I do is for me. Many of us who return had earlier success, but left the instrument for various reasoins. Getting started back with a teacher, at least at first, is paramount. However, I found, that while I had "good" help in my "prior clarinet experience" from 9-17 years of age, that a GREAT teacher ... one who is university trained ... is INVALUABLE. I learned things from day one, technically & theoretically related to clarinet .... that I never dreamed of. My teacher is first chair in a Symphony amd a University professor. I am lucky that she had room for me & was willing to put up with my "comeback" & all the things I "remembered" from an earlier life that may have not been the best choices. SO, my return might be viewed as not as easy as I hoped to "slide" into; but, from an "alternate perspective", has been very meaningful! :-) Maturity is definitely an aid in "comebacks".
Stay tuned here at SNEEZY and you will learn so much, too.
NOW, on the delicate issue of bringing your clarinet back: Please don't focus so much on the cost of refurbishing, a knowledgable tech won't be cheap. However, it sounds like you have a nice instrument. SO, would you take a brand new car to a $29.95 tuneup purveyor? (answer: 999 out of 1,000 .. NO
Tthere is a nice fellow in Houston, TX, a band director who also has an interest in Clarinets! He is in Sugarland, TX, just SE of Houston. He is very reasonable in price, caring & knowledgable. His name is John Butler. Call or email him if you need some work or advice.
Good luck!
mw
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2000-10-01 16:27
You have come to the right board. This board is great support and a great source of information. there are a whole bunch of folks just like you that have been away, and have returned to the clarinet for one reason or another. For someone of your level you should have no problems at all getting it all back.
Welcome aboard
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Author: Lori
Date: 2000-10-01 17:15
Thank you so much Dee I did find the serial number after taking it into the sunlight.
I looked it up and my clarinet was manufactured in 1958. I'm not sure what model it is. My parents bought it used when they bought it in 73 when I was 13. Opps just gave away my age! haha
The interest started with me meeting the community band leader and him begging me to get out my horn and play with them. I have to admit I was intrigued but my music career was so orchestrated by others before, I was happy to be away from all the drill, lessons, tryouts, auditions, and private lessons all those years. Hopefully now I can start a newfound passion, one of pleasure instead of something that was necessary of me to perform and huge disappointment in myself when I didn't have the perfection demanded of me.
I don't care really how much it costs to refurbish the instrument, I just want to make sure that I send it to the right person to do so.
In regards to my mouthpiece, the one I have now was ordered by my instructor back in the 70's but I'm not sure what type it is, but I'm sure it isn't the run of the mill mouthpiece, it was ordered to produce specific intonation etc.... The cork still looks really good. Amazingly it probably will play well as I did baby this instrument at one time.
How do I know if the technician is competent? What questions should I be asking?
Thanks so much to everyone for their encouraging posts!
Lori
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Author: Lelia
Date: 2000-10-01 21:24
You've got an early R-13. I think that model started in 1955. That's a pro-quality clarinet. IMHO it would be well worth getting it restored to prime playing condition.
One way to find out about the best clarinet technicians in your area is to go to the best pro concerts you can find, go backstage afterwards and ask the clarinetists who works on their instruments. Ask every clarinetist you can buttonhole who their teachers are, too. I'll bet you start hearing a consensus about characteristics of the better teachers -- which ones push students hard, which ones are more laid-back, etc. You can get an idea of whose teaching style best matches your learning style.
I'm a comebacker, too, BTW. You've got lots of company here! Good luck!
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Author: Pam
Date: 2000-10-01 23:27
Welcome Lori! It seems we are the same age. *Grin* I too, recently returned to the clarinet after a 20 year break. Everybody's advice is right on. I have found that getting some lessons is really helping me and even though I recall being pretty good in high school, I am learning a lot. Playing in a community band or orchestra can be a lot of fun as well. It seems that more people are there because they enjoy music rather than the competition factor of school days.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2000-10-02 01:28
I am absolutely amazed at how many people on this board are in their "second go-round" in playing. I was out for 25yrs.
Lori, can you ride a bike? Same thing for clarinet, assuming you gained a reasonable proficiency earlier (which I'm sure you did). Now you get to decide what YOU want to do. I agree that if you really want to advance with your playing, find the right teacher and dig in. For me, I got "sticker shock" when I found out what good teachers get today (yes . . . I know - they are worth every penny). But I find that for playing in community bands or church orchestras, my skills are amazingly stable and improving, I'm having a blast, and there is no pressure whatsoever. I even got radical and bought a fantastic old Silver King metal clarinet for when I want to give my Buffet a rest or just want to attract attention (which it does!).
Anyway Lori, this time it's for you. Enjoy yourself and welcome back.
P.S. - There's lots of us Texans on the board, but we usually don't mention it so as not to make everyone else feel bad.
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Author: Lorie
Date: 2000-10-02 19:22
I guess I need to get in line...I, too, have been out of playing for 20plus years. A year ago I decided I would audition for a community band in my area...and I made it. I was terribly out of shape, but I became inspired to go back and take lessons again. Well at the ripe old age of over (WAY over) 40, I am better than I ever was. Getting your horn overhauled so that you get the response and sound you remembered is the most important thing right now. You don't want to have to do battle with your instrument, while at the same time try to re-develop your embouchure. But I am living proof, it can be done. I play better now than I ever did. Taking lessons from a university professor in my area, has even inspired me to go back to school to get my Masters in Music.... so who knows where this whole thing will lead. I wish you the best of luck.
ps Bill Street at the University of Southern Maine does the best overhaul I have EVER seen!
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Author: brianp
Date: 2000-10-03 01:11
Are any of you Texans following this thread near Austin? It would be fun to get together and play some good music. Drop me an e-mail message and let me know.
Brian in Austin
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Author: Lori
Date: 2000-10-03 02:48
What can I say? Thank you thank you for the warm welcome and encouragement! I'm thrilled.
All of you are the greatest!!!!
Thanks again!
Lori
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