 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: petrosv
Date: 2025-03-15 22:00
I found a golden ear 1968 R13 like new pads everything pristine EXCEPT the bell is cracked from top to bottom. The crack goes right up to the top of the band and down to bottom if bell and it's all the way through the wood. The used price at a dealer in my area is $2,195 comparable to another R13 around 1970 without a cracked bell or any cracks. What would you suggest I talk them down to? The horn sounds great.
Thanks
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Author: kdk
Date: 2025-03-16 03:48
I can't say anything much about the $2,195, except that it sounds high to me for a 55-year-old clarinet. But the effect of the cracked bell shouldn't be any more than the cost of a replacement bell, which could be anywhere from less than $100 for a used one to $300-500 for a new R-13 bell or an after-market one designed for the R-13. There are always differences among specimens, so you might need to try out replacements to find a good one.
Karl
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2025-03-16 18:58
I've been playing a R13 with a lightly cracked Moennig barrel for years. But as Karl sez, you could discount the price offered by the amount to replace the barrel. For me that would be around $200.
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-03-16 19:41
The bell is held secure by both the socket ring and bell flare ring, so any cracks in between that are easy to address and won't cause any grief, plus the fact it's far less costly to repair a cracked bell (or barrel) than replacing the entire thing.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2025-03-17 12:37
petrosv wrote:
"I found a golden ear 1968 R13 like new pads everything pristine EXCEPT the bell is cracked from top to bottom. The crack goes right up to the top of the band and down to bottom if bell and it's all the way through the wood. The used price at a dealer in my area is $2,195 comparable to another R13 around 1970 without a cracked bell or any cracks. What would you suggest I talk them down to? The horn sounds great."
For $2200 it should be possible to find a clarinet without a crack.
The re-sale value will be affected if you decide to sell it later.
If you are not going to re-sell it any time soon (which can change a few weeks from now if you found even a better instrument), then it's up to you.
If it was me buying, I would either check it very carefully for any other cracks and other problems, or I would make sure there is a return period so you can take it to a tech for evaluation.
I have seen two clarinets with bells cracked caused by water damage. Both played OK but needed all springs replaced and a lot of cleaning (one had nasty mold)...
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Author: crazyclari
Date: 2025-03-25 10:12
As mentioned cracks such as this can usually be repaired so they cannot be seen
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Author: m1964
Date: 2025-03-26 02:46
crazyclari wrote:
> As mentioned cracks such as this can usually be repaired so
> they cannot be seen
From my experience, the clarinets with cracked bells had other (serious) damage.
For the price of $2200, he can find another clarinet without cracks.
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