 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mike Blinn
Date: 2003-04-24 01:34
I purchased a hard-rubber 1950's clarinet for forty dollars. It has no markings on it except for the words "Bay State Band" engraved on the bell, and "Made in France" on both joints. The restorator has identified it as being made by Noblet of Paris. Restoration will cost $230.
I could use a non-wood clarinet for those outdoor concerts with my community band. Best not to play my Leblanc LX out in the rain.
However, there are so many clarinets out there that I wonder if it's worth spending this kind of money on an old horn. Any advice will be appreciated.
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Author: msroboto
Date: 2003-04-24 03:07
I have one of those...well I have a $50.00 EBay Special that has really bad pads / corks and I am going to take it as a project to learn how to repad the thing. BTW - mine is a Bundy.
I think for about $20.00 - $30.00 I can get this thing working and learn something in the process.
This charming instrument came in a case that smells really bad too.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-04-24 04:09
Restoration is a personal matter. Repair is a practical matter. How much is a working combat Clarinet worth? You now own that marvel, so for $230 it'll be just like it was when it came from the factory. On the other hand, repair to working condition might be less. It's your money, so do what pleases you.
And msroboto, yours is a good plan, a great way to learn. That's what I did years ago with a $35 very sick Fontaine/Couesnon Bb. I still have it, and it still plays well. By the way, a Clarinet I bought fairly recently smelled as if someone had blown El Stinko cigar smoke through the instrument into the case. Airing out everything for several days worked better than any other fix.
Regards,
John
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-04-24 11:34
You may also want to play a more modern design, with replacement parts readily available. The Hard rubber Selmer and Vito V40(?) are solid horns that actually tune well.
They may be available for the same amount of scratch, plus which you may actually resell those to recoup your costs.
Dunno if the same could be said of your 'John Doe' horn.
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Author: Mike Blinn
Date: 2003-04-24 12:04
Thanks for the advice. Repading the clarinet myself is a good idea. I can learn as I go, and if I screw up, I can make a lamp out of it.
By the way, this horn and case also stink of tobacco smoke. I wonder if I can dip the clarinet in soapy water and clean it out good (after removing the old pads)?
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Author: Dan1937
Date: 2003-04-24 13:05
Mike -
You would need to remove all the posts, keys and springs as well, to prevent any rusting or other chemical reaction caused by the water. Sounds like a lot of extra work to me. If it's just the smell in the case, and airing it out doesn't work, put a dryer sheet (Bounce or something similar) in the case for a day or so.
BTW, I saw a guy submerge his Buffet clarinet in his swimming pool and then play it!! I have no report on what the long-term results were, but I think I could guess.
--Dan
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Author: Clarence
Date: 2003-04-24 13:19
Mike,
You can buy a spray product called Febreze at your local super market that is designed to clean odors from fabrics. I use it and it works good on horn cases.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-04-24 13:45
Your restorer has done you a favor by identifying the maker. If true you probably have a horn worth restoring but $250 to restore a horn just to play outdoors doesn't seem prudent. Why hesitate to play your wood horn if it might rain? Just keep a plastic bag handy and use it. Go the do-it-yourself route and have fun like we who have already done it.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-04-24 16:41
Concerning the case...
Three viable approaches to remove the smell...
1) Completely fill with baking soda and store in a ventilated area. Dump out the baking soda and refill - twice. This should take a week.
2) Remove the original lining and replace using 'Tacky glue' and fabric of your choice. This will spruce up the looks of the case, too.
3) Pitch the case in the trash and get a $35 Protec replacement.
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2003-04-24 16:56
My friend just gave me an old plastic/rubber Albert system Conn. (I'm wondering, first of all if I should keep it or let my tech friend have it) But it definately needs a fix too. And it smells to high heavens.
But here is an interesting piece of information. I just had my tech friend fix an alto clarinet from the 60's that I bought on ebay. The pads were badly damaged. Then I learned about Weevils. They live in cases and eat pads. So, he said they had to put the case in the freezer to get rid of the infestation. ewwww. Make sure your's doesn't have weevils!
In the Conn case, I noticed dead bugs. Ew... I hate dead bugs.
Anyway... with the do it yourself work. I repadded and cleaned up my metal clarinet, and it doesn't work. :( I killed the screws, and the pads won't seal. I recommend asking one of these fine clarinet people how to disassemble and adjust the horn properly.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-04-24 20:35
I have been using my pro wood clarinets (Buffet R13s, LeBlanc Concertos, Yamaha effer, Prestigue low C bass as well as a set of Selmer mk VI saxopones) for outside concerts for 40 yrs and have never had a weather related problem. You just have to have enough since to go inside when it starts to sprinkle. Sunlight does not harm them. However, Legere reeds and wind clips are recommended.
The only time I play a lesser grade clarinet is when I attend my once-a-year old university alumni marching band gig. We actually put on a pregame show and march half-time, about 300 of us. For that "fun time", I have a golden lacquered metal Noblet that is indestructable (but plays "not too bad")
But for all other outside orchestral, concert and jazz band gigs, I use only the best equipement. Playing outside should not be an excuse for not playing and sounding your best.
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Author: clarinetmama
Date: 2003-04-24 21:23
I think the idea of learning how to restore it yourself is a good plan. I have a not so great instrument I bought because I wanted the ligature (it was that cheap). SO, one day I hope to take this baby apart to see how it works.
Jean
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Author: Non musical type
Date: 2003-04-25 02:46
Greetings! Aquired a Godfroy Clarinet which says 501 made in France on it. I brought it into a music shop and they said it needed an overhaul which is basically (cork replacement); that it would then be worth about a grand or so. Quite simply want to know if anyone has any information on the value of this piece. Real wood, quite old, and with no cracks. They said the aged wood is a better sound. I personally have not a clue, and so I am seeking your advice. All the internet seaches I have done turn up the history of Godfroy, but not the Clarinet specific. Thanks a bunch! Jim
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Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2003-04-25 04:53
Hi all,
As far as learning to work on instruments, you have to start somewhere. The first horn I repaded was a saxophone (yeah, I'm a Gladiator). Thank God I used my digital camera to document how it looked before and the step-by-step disassembly. It took me 3 days. Two days to disassemble, replace the pads and reassemble, and one day to seat the pads and regulate. I didn't think I could do it. Half way through I still didn't. However, once it was done and it played soooooooo much better, I realized that I could do it.
Since then, I have done many horns, mostly clarinets. I have two on the bench now. A Boehm system Buffet H.P. from 1907 (almost done), and a Evette from 1955 (finally got it apart). The Evette is interesting, because when I traced the serial number on the Buffet website it comes up in the E&S, E13 section and nowhere else, but the horn is not marked E&S only Evette. Buffet seems to think it is an E13. At any rate, I don't get it.
Mark
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Author: funkymunky
Date: 2003-04-25 19:38
Baking soda! is what i used in a really bad mildew infested case. Just sprinkle a bit of baking soda evenly, close case and shake. wait like a day. and then vacuum out. Repeat a few times if it still is bad.
I bought a $20 dollar clarinet just to learn how to pad and all and this is the case it came in. Of course the clarinet stunk too. So i took off all the keys and used windex.smell went right away. I wouldnt use windex on wood.
Of course tobacco smoke is alot less pungent than mildew,baking soda should be more effective. Some guy at a repair shop taught me this trick.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2003-04-26 01:41
I think they were pulling your leg when they said the Godfroy clarinet would be worth a grand when fixed up.
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Author: Mike Blinn
Date: 2003-04-26 07:38
William,
Thanks for the advice. I think I will continue to play my Leblanc in outdoor concerts and not worry about it. (I know all about clothepins, but can you explain why Legere reeds?)
By the way, at our Fourth of July concert last year, sandbags on the music stands would have been helpful, the wind was so bad!
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-04-26 08:12
Legere reeds don't fluctuate with temperature, humidity, any weather. Reeds do. So they are always ready to go whereas a reed may be great while practicing the day before, or even an hour before, then you go outside and it dries up and you use all yoru saliva trying to keep it moist, not to mention your tongues starts to stick to you lip, and it's just bad in general.
alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Non musical type
Date: 2003-04-26 11:11
Bummer... just rain on my parade? What leads you to believe the worth of the Godfroy not of this caliber?
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Author: Dee
Date: 2003-04-26 11:39
Non musical type wrote:
> Bummer... just rain on my parade? What leads you to believe
> the worth of the Godfroy not of this caliber?
Because not even a Buffet or Selmer of this age (you state quite old in one post and "Grandpa's attic type find" in another thread) is worth a grand even if perfectly restored.
Also there are many high quality intermediate level wooden clarinets that sell brand new for under a grand. Even top of the line pro instruments run only about two grand or so.
There have been thousands of little known makers come and go. Some made excellent instruments and some did not. Unless there was something quite unique about them, they are not collectible and don't bring particularly high prices on the used market.
Now having said all that, if it is a decent instrument, it is worth fixing up so it can play once again.
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