 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: curious
Date: 2002-11-10 02:15
How much do you think i should pay to have my instrument overhauled?? It's a 6-year old Leblanc Concerto, and it needs all new pads, etc. How much should i expect this to cost me? thanks!!
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Author: William
Date: 2002-11-10 03:01
A six year old LeBlanc Concerto should not have to have all of its pads and corks replaced via a complete overhaul. I would recommend a "playing condition" tune-up, where only the necessary repairs are made. However, if you do opt for the complete redo, consider having cork pads installed on the upper joint. Cork pads could also be installed as part of a "playing condition only" repair for considerably less expense than the complete. I have cork on all of my Buffet and Leblanc soprano clarinets and haven't needed a "complete overhaul" on any of them for--at least--the past thirty years. Just periodic checkups (and I do a lot of playing).
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Author: William
Date: 2002-11-10 03:06
Opps--didn't address the reason for the post. Cost--at our local Music Mall repair shoppe, a complete on a Bb clarinet runs about $175.00. My last "repair only what's necessary" cost was about $55.00. Get the idea???? ( $$$$$ )
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Author: curious
Date: 2002-11-10 03:21
do cork pads last longer than the standard ones that come with the instrument? my clarinet isn't that old, but a lot of the pads are getting really yucky and some are even sliding out of position a bit (and i've already had some replaced). thanks for your advice!
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2002-11-10 05:17
I agree with William. A repair what's necessary come unfrequently enough that I think in the long run you'd save money instead of overhauling every time. For a 6-yr old leblanc, I doubt it needs an overhaul. And I doubt that there's really much that's necessary to repair as well (unless it was really physically abused)
Cork pads last longer, but typically they are only put on the upper keys. The side-keys on the upper stack, the g#/c#, register key, and I'm not sure about the throat G# and A. Maybe someone can tell me about those. I don't know exactly why they are usually only on top, but the only thing I can offer is that these pads are usually "raised" to produce a tone, rather than the others that cover a hole to produce one. I guess cork, if pushed to cover a hole, would leave a loud "pop" or something.
Alexi
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2002-11-10 06:12
Alexi said "these pads are usually 'raised' to produce a tone, rather than the others that cover a hole to produce one. I guess cork, if pushed to cover a hole, would leave a loud "pop" or something"
Huh? I have had two clarinets done recently with cork pads in the upper keys. They play just like the clarinet did when it had skin pads there. No pops, bangs, or clunks. I am glad to hear they will last longer than the skin pads did. I only got about 30 years out of the first set of pads. I guess I won't be around long enough to worry about replacing them again.
About the price of a complete overhaul: I have just been looking at a few shops as I had to send my A clari out for overhaul. Top notch folks quoted from a low of $200-300 to another shop quoting $700-800. This was for a full Boehm so for a standard horn a top notch job should run $200-$700 or so. (These are sneezy sponsors.) The last overhauls I had done ran in the $300-$400 range. For that you get cleaned body, oiled, keys polished (about $100 more for plating), new springs, steels replaced as needed, chipped tone-holes repaired as needed, keys repaired as needed, teflon on keys, all new pads (cork and skin), all new tennon corks. The tech will stand behind a good overhaul because when it is all done right it is unlikely there will be any problems.
I'll let you know how my A comes out when it returns to me in about 6 weeks.
TH
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Author: terry
Date: 2002-11-10 11:25
one,
I would get a "play condition" instead of an overhaul.
All of my clarinets have had a full overhaul, but they
came to me with at least 30 years of no work except for
botched pad work. After the overhaul, just like having
a "new" clarinet with less than 15 years on it with
decent service, I would be surprised that anything other
than "play condition" is needed.
two,
I would very much recommend replacing with cork wherever
possible. I have had "full cork" vs. "partial cork"
and have like the full cork better. Note that even with
"full cork" apparently no one replaces the lower keys
with cork). The "partial cork" repair technician argued
that regulation is much tougher with cork on the top
(where the fingers go) of the upper and lower joint.
That may be true, but I have really liked the "full cork."
three,
Two highly recommended repair technicians. Guy Chadash
and Larry NaylorI have done both drop-in and UPS repairs
with them. Excellent. More details at
www.sterkel.org click on "clarinet"
charette disclaimer: about 3 years ago I did Mr. Naylor's
website. He did an overhaul of my 1953 R13. We have had
no other commercial relations except for his checking the
regulation. He has had a different webmaster for over one
year.
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-11-10 12:22
All,
I think after six years of playing that the instrument probably DOES need an overhaul, partiularly if it is being played for several hours on a daily basis. The ends of the keys wear slightly. This wear allows the key to float along the axis of the rod as the key is being depressed. The result is that the pad may not be seating properly. An overhaul will take out any of this lost motion and the repair technician will also tighten up the keys that rest on pivot screws by replacing the worn screw or seating the screw deeper into the post. Pads and corks are only a small part of a good overhaul. The mechanical condition of the instrument is being preserved.
Secondly, if as stated, that all the pads need replacing, then the mechanical work should be performed. Replacing the pads without making sure that the pad is going to seat <b>at the same place every time</b> the key is depressed is utter nonsense. The lost motion, or "wiggle" if you prefer, must be addressed or leaks will remain even with replacing the pad(s).
Inspect your clarinet. Take the any key, but the register key is most accessible. With finger and thumb try to slide the key from side to side. Does it move? How far? Do you think that spring tension alone is going to make sure that the key is going to seat at the exact same place each and every time? Think about it.
jbutler
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-11-10 18:05
Listen to JB, he knows his stuff.
Don't be cheap... $150 for an overhaul, over the course of 6 years=
how many dollars per year?
Why not spring for cork on the trill keys and the C# for the upper joint? They resist failure by damp and are no noisier than any other pad.
Your leBlanc is a lovely instrument, it deserves full measures.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-11-11 02:30
I agree with jbutler that if you play it several hours a day, it deserves an overhaul. But how's this for a contrary opinion: $55 sounds good for putting it into reasonable playing condition. If you do not play your instrument very much, perhaps do that. The overhaul can wait for a few more years -- maybe two or three -- though you might need another pad or two before then. But $175 sounds somewhat low for a really thorough overhaul. If you're going to have it overhauled, have everything done, not just a total pad-and-cork replacement. And do take a few cues from the experts: consider pad materials other than the ones that came on the instrument. Cork pads up high, at least on the speaker key. Maybe look into leather. Even ask about resonator pads on the lower/larger tone holes. You may decide against these things, but it couldn't hurt to understand why some players do favor them.
Regards,
John
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