 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: garyeestra
Date: 2009-07-05 05:47
I got a normandy 'special' from this auction site about six months ago.
After reading some info on this site:
http://www.clarinuts.com/clarinuts/pages/selecting.asp
and found out that the normandy special only falls in the 'good' range, I immediately searched for ones that fall under the 'best'(surprisingly the buffet-11 falls under the intermediates) wooden clarinet on the same auction site.
I got the normandy special for 120ish dollars, and the yamaha 34 for almost 200.
I like the tone of the normandy but its responsiveness was lacking. The opposite applies to the yamaha, it's tone is too bright for my liking and but its very responsive interms of intonation and dynamics.
I used my normandy for two weeks or so until I got my yamaha. 4 months later, 2 days before our spring concert the a-flat key of my yamaha broke.
I don't know if any of you guys ever tried this... I decided to switch the upper joint of the yamaha for the normandy's.
Well it worked well, the result was like a cross between the two(having 3/4 the tone of the normandy, and half the responsiveness of the yamaha lol).
My yamaha needs to be fixed. I don't know how much an overhaul is but I definitely need a working clarinet because I plan on continuing my playing in college. I'm just worried that the price of overhauling the clarinet wouldn't be worth it. What do you think?
Post Edited (2009-07-05 05:49)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2009-07-05 07:14
First, it might not need an overhaul. IME out of all people who think their instrument needs an overhaul, most don't. So maybe your Yamaha 34 just have problems that need to be repaired, and doesn't need an overhaul.
Overhauling a Yamaha 34 is definitely a dillema.....
I consider that Yamaha 34 is a very good clarinet that plays great with an excellent tone. I like the feel of brightness and imediacy of the tone and response, and with a different mouthpiece you can make it sound a lot less bright anyway.
The 34 models I've seen had pilot pivot screws. This means they are not tapered, and are not as easy to remove free play, which is one of the main points of an overhaul. Also the flat springs are sliding directly on the wood, without a metal plate. The F/C lever to key linkage is very sharp with a relativley big gap.
What this means is that an overhaul for this clarinet will be more work (so cost more) than a better designed clarinet in the same condition, if someone is doing the overhaul to the same level. On the up side, this clarinet plays so good, that even if those mechanical issues (i.e. the pivot screws) are not fixed to highest level, the clarinet still plays great.
The 34 has a few more small issues, but they don't really affect the overhaul in any way.
I'd say the 34 is boarderline for a completely full overhaul (if it really needs it), but I'm leaning to say it's worth it because of how great it plays. There's a good chance your 34 doesn't need an overhaul and a good and honest repairer will tell you if that's the case after checking the clarinet.
I hope this helps.
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Author: garyeestra
Date: 2009-07-05 07:31
Thank you for the answer clarnibass.
By the way, the side C# key is slightly bent. I guess I'll just have those keys replaced.
Do you think replacing the pads and tenons would be ideal as well?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-07-05 11:51
Bent keys can be straightened out, so you won't need to replace them.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-07-05 12:31
> I'm just worried that the price of overhauling the clarinet
> wouldn't be worth it.
This is a really, really tricky question. It starts with the term "worth". I hate it, because it usually puts "value" against "money". Is a 15yo dog who has a broken leg "worth" the necessary medical treatment? Sure is, as we are emotionally attached to that poor mutt, even if a new one might "perform" better. (ghastly analogy, my apologies)
Same for a clarinet. A new, seemingly "better" one may "perform" better, but do your hands like the ergonomics, the touch and feel of it? Do your ears like the tone? Dilemma is, you know how "good" your current instrument is doing. You don't know how much better a different one will be. You can be sure that your current, brought back into fine repair, will be better than before (provided you got a fine technician going over it).
You're probably the only one who can answer this question. You'll have to try a lot of different instrument to find "your" one. Then you can decide. Maybe.
FWIW my preferred outdoor instrument is a 20$ wooden Vito...however, as I "do" my instruments myself, I can't describe its value in dollars and cents, but I'd sure invest eight hours' work in it, should it be necessary. Just because it's a dependable and sturdy instrument and we've gone through a lot of good times.
--
Ben
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Author: Cindyr
Date: 2009-07-05 13:56
I bought a Yamaha 34 last fall and had it overhauled after checking with my tech that it needed it. He even repaired a hairline crack in the bell beautifully. This was an instrument that was sitting around for 25 years unused.
I play it in my community band. It's a way to get a good intermediate clarinet for a reasonable price. People who play tend to look for used Yamaha 34's and 52's because they know they are good values, and the clarinets play well. Compared to the cost of a new clarinet, it's worth putting the work into it to get it playing well.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2009-07-05 14:36
It all depends on what is meant by an"overhaul".
IMO, unless there is some mighty severe damage, for a 34 it is well worth doing whatever needs doing to make it play well and reliably. Same for the basic student Yamaha. These are good instruments, difficult to wreck, and easy to work on.
If the tech wants to charge too much for that, then try to get better value for money from another tech.
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