 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Henry
Date: 2003-06-29 18:39
I play a recently overhauled Leblanc LL with a VD B45 mpc and Rico Royal 3 reed, and my teacher has a Buffet R13 (with a set-up that is unknown to me). At my last lesson, I had some problems with a particular Rose study. In an attempt to solve my problem, my teacher and I exchanged horns, but keeping our own set-ups. I found his R13 easier to play (with my set-up), while he thought my LL might have a leak, since he thought it was not responding properly (with his set-up). I have great confidence in both my teacher and my tech. Hence my dilemma. Should I trust my teacher and accept that there is something wrong with my horn, or should I trust my tech who just looked at the horn and declared it to be in perfect shape? My problems may be simply due to a worn-out reed, for example. My main question is: If a certain set-up plays well on one horn, should it play well on any other horn, or does the best set-up depend on the kind of horn it is attached to? The LL and R13 have different bore diameters, to start with.
I expect the Buffet mafia to come back with some wise-guy comments but they will not shake my belief that the Leblanc LL is, au fond, as good an instrument as the R13!! Any (serious) comments? Thanks!
Henry
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-29 18:52
Well, both could be right or wrong but there is no buffet mafia. "Set up" means more than mouthpiece,reed, lig IMHO
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Author: Henry
Date: 2003-06-29 19:23
Bob, OK, so how would you define "set-up"? Sorry, perhaps I used the wrong terminology.
Henry
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Author: Dee
Date: 2003-06-29 20:20
Just because the tech says its fine doesn't make it so. For example, some of them have rather strong hands and can press keys shut (such as the ones for the little fingers) and play with no problem. But when someone with less hand strength plays it, the key leaks. It has to work for you.
Whenever I have anything worked on related to the keys activated by the little fingers, I always check it before leaving the shop to see if they work fine for me. If the spring tension is too high, I have them adjust it.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2003-06-29 21:19
Dee is right on as usual.
A gorilla grip is unquestionably the wrong approach. Techs should adjust the horn to respond to a very light touch; then, if the customer prefers otherwise, modify the keys tensions from there. In other words, the instrument should respond freely to a featherweight touch.
Most techs will gladly re-adjust the instrument because as the pads 'settle' a slight tweaking may sometimes be necessary - especially if it was a rush job.
There's no mafia in this business.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: William
Date: 2003-06-29 21:25
"Never say never"--however, I do make it a practice to ALWAYS play-test my instrument before leaving the repair persons shop so that if something does not seem right--non-responsive or fuzzy notes, tight keys, joints, etc--it can be worked out "on the spot" and you go home with a playable clarinet. As stated above, often minor adjustments need to made after repair or overhaul, and this does not necessarily mean incompetence, nor you being overly picky. It is just the clarinet must play for you the way you want it to, so don't be afraid to say "Hmmm, this doesn't seem right......." If your repair tech seems annoyed-or downright rude and refuses to re-do the work, then get another opinion (and another repairperson). The overwhelming majority, I suspect, of repair professionals will be more than happy to help you "get it right."
It is most likely not your mpc/reed set-up as your teacher also noticed the problem. Good luck!!!
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Author: DezzaG
Date: 2003-06-30 08:27
How about you check for leaks by taking the top joint and finger a C, close off the end with the other hand and blow through the top, if there is a leak you will hear a hiss and it will feel funny. Try the same on the bottom joint covering the 3 holes and also closing the low E key. Don't press too hard.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-30 13:01
Henry, I wasn't being critical I just didn't understand what YOU meant by "setup". Setup to me means the total horn adjustment and accessories.
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