 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2010-01-24 12:41
A few years ago, I saw a pro-line clarinet on display at a local music store, whose bell had not been properly sanded out. Lathe marks from rough-shaping were clearly visible underneath the manufacturer's gold-leaf logo.
I recently had the opportunity to play-test a dozen pro-line horns, and found a loose thumb rest, and a mis-adjusted left thumb-ring. All of the sliver keys were set too high. Spring tension was relatively uniform between samples, but typically high enough to interfere with trills, especially on the extension levers. Most troubling, though, was that all of the middle joint tenons were to varying degrees cut sloppily.
At the least extended position, the "adjustible" thumb rest was at exactly the height position as the non-adjustable one on my 20-year-old instrument, so there are downward options but no upward ones.
What are they thinking?
Post Edited (2010-01-24 12:42)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-01-24 14:06
There is a greater tendency nowadays to rush things through production and cut corners here and there to get more units sold rather than taking time to make a quality product.
The high sales price remains even though the production time has been cut significantly - it's all about profit which is a shame.
One day it'll backfire.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2010-01-24 14:22
I agree with Chris.
And these sorts of faults, and more, are common with brand new instruments - almost standard. Normally-open keys having pads that do not close flat is another standard fault.
You buy the instrument, then take it to a technician to have such things corrected. And chances are, if you rely on a technician associated with a purchase guarantee, then the job will be skimped, because it will drain profits from the original sale. It's not a perfect world!
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2010-01-24 15:48
And so long as we keep buying the instruments on which corners have been cut, the manufacturers will keep producing them. How about insisting on a properly finished and set up instrument before we take out our wallets. If the work is not top notch when we pay a top price, reject it. If enough people do that, the retailers will eventually send pressure back up the line to the manufacturer.
Show of hands -- How many would buy a brand new car that you are in love with if it had trouble starting, constantly backfired, and had a bad tire even if you could take it back later to be fixed for free? I think most of us would insist that it be repaired to top standards before we were willing to buy it.
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2010-01-24 18:23
Working in Detroit, I wouldn't say these horns backfired or had trouble starting. Some auto manufacturers are beginning to realize that putting in cheap tires and batteries, then throwing the warranty over to vendors, does not generate repeat business.
I think these instruments all played reasonably well, initially, or at leat after the store's technicians addressed minor issues. 20 years ago, there were response, intonation, and fit issues, which did not exist last week.
But working around high sliver keys is sort of like bumping your elbow on the armrest whenever you reach for the radio controls. Whether LeBlanc, Selmer, Buffet, Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota, Nisson, Hyundai, etc. - if nobody there drives a product for its entire life cycle, they will have no idea what real customers experience.
Leblanc did a poll of pro players, perhaps 15 years ago. It was good they were actually making an attempt to find out what artists in their marketplace really want. But is anyone still doing this?
Post Edited (2010-01-24 20:11)
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