 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-05-29 22:46
I play an E&S clarinet serial number K25***. From the boosey hawkes website it's an E-13 before they started marketing it as an E-13. As far as I know, this is very close to an R-13 setup. Various websites tell me that it's easier blowing than an R-13 (which I believe from playtesting some R-13s). I do like my clarinet, it's 'good', but not 'great'. Unfortunately I don't have the money to buy a 'great' clarinet. So here's my various questions.
I was wondering how a barrel would fit this clarinet. If the bore is slightly different, which I suspect from the low level of resistance in my clarinet compared to others, then am I correct in drawing the conclusion that a barrel designed for an R-13 (such as the Moenig or Chadash barrels) would not work as well on my E-13? I'm sure they'd be better than the stock, but probably not quite "optimal" as far as design.
I was thinking about sending it to Walter Grabner who creates custom barrels tailored to the clarinet if you send it to him. I will email him and see how he handles different bore sizes, etc. But I was just wondering about that particular issue.
Also, when I emailed Walter Grabner before, I told him that my clarinet's keywork seemed heavy to press down and that I've felt many clarinets (including my other one, a piece of junk Rene Duval that is WAY out of tune) have very light and responsive keywork. He said it was probably due to the fact that it's an E-13 and therefore, by design, has "clunkier" keywork than a pro clarinet. I thought the keywork was supposed to be identical or VERY near identical to an R-13.
Also, I've heard Buffet's are pretty much "infused" with oil and are marketed that you shouldn't oil them. Mine is from 1970 and I've never oiled it, nor had it overhauled. I received it 6 years ago and before that don't know what work was done on it (but I suspect very little since it probably was just sitting in my uncle's closet for years). Should I get someone to do a complete overhaul/repad/tuning of it? Sort of starting from fresh?
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-05-29 23:03
Sluggish key action COULD be ameliorated by service.
Oil begins to break down over time, and 6 years between overhauls is pressing your luck...
An overhaul will likely go a long way toward bringing your horn back around.
I think most places selling barrels will allow a trial period (not free)...
They'll need some info on the tuning of the instrument, if you need to pull the barrel out, etc.
They may also want to know about your mouthpiece and reed combination.
Don't give up, just yet!
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Author: Henry
Date: 2003-05-30 00:34
Alexi:
If you want a good tech for a complete overhaul, I can give you one in New Jersey whom I used recently for my LL, to my complete satisfaction. Just send me an e-mail, if you are interested. From your description, I think your horn might benefit from one.
Henry
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Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2003-05-30 02:28
Alexi,
If your keywork feels "spongy" it may be as Synonymous Botch said about the oil being broken down as well as contaminated with dust etc. What you could do is oil all the pivot points and see if the feel of the keywork changes. If it does, at the very least a good tear down and cleaning is in order.
Best Regards
Mark
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Author: ReedChucker
Date: 2003-05-31 22:19
Send it to Peter Spriggs for an overhaul. He will make multiple changes to it and it will come back sounding the best that it possibly can. I sent him an E&S Master and oh my my.
ReedChucker
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