The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Eric
Date: 2003-01-15 01:33
I played my R13 for about 6 hours today but in bursts (1 in the morning,3 in the afternoon, and 2 at night). In my last hour I happened to have to hold low E and low F, to my astonishment I heard air leaking. I looked down and there was a crack (which I had previously pinned) through the tone hole (throat A). Can I get this fixed?
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Author: ron b
Date: 2003-01-15 03:38
Hi, Eric -
Any reasonable crack (and some astonishingly nasty ones) can be fixed. How long is the crack - and is it the same one? My surprise, if it's the same one, is that it's still a problem.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-01-15 11:39
I wonder if the pad seat needs to be 'redressed'?
For a slight additional charge, anything is possible.
If this clarinet embodies the characteristics you favor in an instrument, repair is a reasonable recourse.
If you're careful with money, repair should be less expensive than replacement, and is also a sen$ible choice.
If you're not keen on the horn - now is the time to start your search for the next one!
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Author: d dow
Date: 2003-01-15 12:54
If this is an excellent clarinet and quite in tune it is well worth repariring. Make sure you have it "pinned".
The lower joint is usually less susceptible to cracking.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-01-15 14:51
Repair of a section is always better than replacement for accoustical reasons. A crack, expertly repaired--even through a tone hole--should be of no further concern. And if you like your clarinet, have if fixed an keep it.
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Author: Walter Grabner
Date: 2003-01-15 16:22
Good advice from William
<<Repair of a section is always better than replacement for accoustical reasons. A crack, expertly repaired--even through a tone hole--should be of no further concern. And if you like your clarinet, have if fixed an keep it.>>
I have repaired literally dozens of cracks, from almost invisible hairline cracks to seven inch whoppers.
An expert repaiman can repair a crack so that it is sealed permanently and is almost invisible.
For years, the best repair was pinning. With new technologies in "suoer glues" and epoxys, many cracks can be filled, repaired, and buffed so that you never have to woory about the crack again and the repair doesn't show.
I do all bet the worst cracks that way now.
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetXpress.com
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Author: Er
Date: 2003-01-15 16:52
You could always have the tone hole replaced, as well. Some can redrill a tone hole nearly exactly where it was before. Many times, it will not affect the the horn adversely at all.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-01-15 18:07
William wrote:
>
> Repair of a section is always better than replacement for
> accoustical reasons
Not always. Francois Kloc replaced the upper joint of my son's clarinet when it cracked, and the clarinet was literally better than new after he worked on it.
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Author: Eric
Date: 2003-01-15 20:18
Actually when I re-examined it, I found it was two cracks, but there was a small break between them (possible where it was pinned?). I'm going to get it back tomorrow, hopefully it will all work out.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-01-16 06:22
If it has been repaired before and has reopened the pinning has not been successful. There is a school of thought that cracks should not be pinned as it causes stress on the wood. This may make the clarinet tight to blow and less resonant, again this is debatable, or crack somewhere nearby which is at least plausable. When I fix an instrument with this problem I leave the choice up to the owner although I make suggestions as to which I think will work best. I have seen sections of clarinet that just won't be repaired and just keep opening up no matter what. The only alternative in that situation is to try and get a replacement section from the manufacturer. This is difficult with Buffet but no problem with Selmer or Leblanc. Walter above is right about the quality of epoxy fillers now available which may help your problem. A visit to a repairer who specialises in clarinets would be a good thing and they can make some suggestions. I personally would be looking for a replacement joint.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-01-17 04:26
IMO (worth just what you paid for it), if a clarinet has already been pinned and cracks again, it is high time to do some shrink banding. Also, a crack through a tone hole could require reshaping or chimney installation. Done by an excellent tech, either should be fine.
Regards,
John
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