 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: anna
Date: 2003-02-09 21:44
i'm going to get the "big pads" on my clarinet's lower joint changed. liek the 4 big ones for the low E key, etc. how much should it cost? i dont wanna get ripped off
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2003-02-09 23:02
Hi, Anna
I really doubt anyone's gonna rip you off over four pads. At least, I Hope no one would see this as a great scam opportunity - but, you're right I guess... you never know these days :|
California shop charges differ from shop to shop but the average is probably around $5.00 to $6.00 per pad. That includes checking out the instrument, determining whether you really need the pads replaced and, if you do, adjusting everything to optimum playability. The pre-check is usually no charge; that's done to determine what work is needed and to give you an up-front price for the materials and labor cost to do it. Techs prefer the free pre-check so there are no shocking surprises to either party. If you need the four large pads replaced, that's probably around $20 to $24 in central California.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Peter
Date: 2003-02-09 23:57
Ditto for Florida, although I'd like to add that if it was a long time since my instrument was serviced and I had the money, I might consider replacing all the pads, and, without turning it into a complete overhaul, that would cost around $60.00, on the average, in Miami.
You might replace a couple of pads today, only to return in a month to replace a couple more pads, so unless it's a matter of replacing the odd pad that went bad prematurely, I usually just get them all done and get it over with.
The extra expense is often more conducive to a reputable tech spending a little more time on your instrument and initially doing a better job of adjusting it, overall.
A tech who is not reputable won't do a good job no matter how much you spend or how worth his while the job might be to him.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-02-10 01:59
I would spring for the entire overhaul.
If you have a few pads that have gone off, you've been playing a good deal (Bully for you!)... and other parts could do with service.
$125 for a complete overhaul in my neighborhood.
What Peter said is important; the final steps of adjustment by a qualified technician make the most of any replaced parts.
A good setup should last another 5 years (barring incident), if you divide your cost by the years of use an overhaul is a good value.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Peter
Date: 2003-02-10 02:40
Ditto on SBs suggestion of a complete overhaul, the only reason I didn't go into it is because it sort of sounded to me like Anna, by omission, was saying that the instrument was in good shape, other than a few pads.
It's about $125.00 by local techs in Miami, too.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2003-02-10 08:54
Some lousy "technicians" will simply change pads and when they do not close well, tell you that you should press the keys harder. With your weak left little finger while playing at speed! - Yeah right!
A good technician will carry out many adjustments associated with these keys, maybe tighten up a sloppy pivot or two, replace a vital linkage cork, ..... Pads CANNOT close reliably if the mechanical infrastructure around them is not right. At least 2/3 of most overhauls concern this infrastructure rather than the simple changing of the pads.
To do the job WELL, especially in this area of a clarinet, involves many complications, that require a BETTER than average technician.
The price a technician charges bears little reflection of how good he/she is.
So change your priorities to quality of work, rather than price. Ask a NUMBER of WELL established teachers an players in your area to find where the quality work is done.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Fred
Date: 2003-02-10 19:07
Total repads for $60 and overhauls for $125 don't exist at shops in Southeast Texas - at least not for quality work on a pro horn. Double those figures and you're in the right ballpark. I have seen overhauls on student instruments down in the $175-200 range.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jbutler
Date: 2003-02-10 22:54
I concur with Gordon. Most times it not just a simple matter of changing out pads. There are mechanical problems that have to be addressed as well as pad replacement. The pad may or may not seat the same each time if there is excessive play in the key or adjustments are not correct. You'll wind up taking it back or to another repairer thinking that the pad was not installed properly when, actually, other adjustments or corrections should have been made as well. I will not work on or warranty my repair of an instrument UNLESS I can repair it to my satisfaction.
jbutler
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2003-02-11 13:15
To cover the time, the cost of 'changing' F/C & E/B pads on a low quality or neglected instrument SHOULD be several times that for a well maintained, well made instrument. Herein lies the daily dilemna of the technician. The bread and butter for molst technicians is the former.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
