 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: gallega25
Date: 2004-07-01 17:33
Hello,
I played clarinet for many years in highschool and in a small group through a music school and private instructor. I miss playing and would like to begin again. I have three small children now and would like them to learn an instrument and participate in some form of musical art.
My old clarinet has seen better days and I believe is beyond repair. It is a Bundy that was purchased 20 years ago for about 400.00 dollars. I wonder if anyone might direct me in a direction or if an overhaul of my old clarinet is possible and even worth it or if I could possibly purchas a new one that is of decent quality for a reasonable price. I do not have a lot of extra money.
If any one can give a little guidence and help I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for your time in reading this.
Sandra
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2004-07-01 18:11
I'll betcha that old Bundy is in better shape than you think. Those things are almost indestructible, as long as it hasn't been run over by a DC-10 or dropped off the Chrysler building or something like that.
Price of an overhaul depends on a lot of things, including where you live. Ballpark, I'd say probably between $100-$200. For a Bundy, if you know of any decent local technicians in your price range, go to them instead of looking far and wide for the best in the trade.
Keep in mind that decent Bundys are also available from eBay for usually less than $100. Some may need a little touching up, others may need an overhaul. Poke around over there, see if anything tickles your funny bone, then run the numbers and see what's more economical for you -- buying another or fixing up yours.
Good luck. Welcome back to Madame Clarinet.u
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: hans
Date: 2004-07-01 18:31
Hi Sandra,
The first thing I would do in your position is get a competent repair tech to evaluate the Bundy. Then you will know where you stand; i.e., the cost of repairing the Bundy versus the cost of buying another instrument.
If it turns out that your clarinet is not worth repairing, you could contact some of the repair techs that frequent this BB. They often have good used instruments for sale. Another alternative is the BB classified section (at the right side of the screen).
To get your small children involved in music, perhaps the recorder would be an inexpensive and effective way.
Regards,
Hans
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-07-01 18:51
Welcome back, Sandra! I rather agree that unless your Bundy was dropped from a DC-10 or run over by a Chrysler (or something like that), it can be repaired. If you enjoyed playing that instrument, fixing it might be the best thing to do. Otherwise, there are many options for instrument purchases which are discussed frequently on the board.
Hans offers a good suggestion, too: a recorder is a fine inexpensive starter tool for getting a small person involved in instrumental music, plus it's a real instrument. A plastic one of marginal quality costs only a couple of bux, while a reasonably good wood recorder can be bought for well under fifty dollars.
Good luck, and let us know how things are going.
Regards,
John
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-07-01 18:54
Fine advice above, if another inst. is being considered, widen the scope to Vito, Yamaha, Buffet "student" models. Best wishes, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-07-01 18:56
In my estimation, Sandra, without even examining your horn, its value as a trade-in may have actually in-creased by a few dollars over its 20 dormant years. I believe, from what you say, that a play condition servicing (repad) might be the way to go to get you started up again.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
__________________________________________
...and, right on, Ralph. The Bundys that visit my bench are built like trucks -- they just keep going and going and...going some more. Most of them come in, in need of a few pads and some cork and they're off to play another glitch-less season.
And, for Sandra's information, rarely does one need a full overhaul and only the ones that are to be re-sold ever ask for the treatment. If a complete overhaul is the order, about $160, the instrument is then worth in the neighborhood of $250 - $300 (USD) tops... on a very good day.
As trade-ins and re-sales go, Bundys are a pretty good investment. They're also pretty good playin' horns 
- rb -
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Author: gallega25
Date: 2004-07-01 19:13
Thanks for the info and the time to give it to all of you. I will look into the overhaul/ repair, my only concern is there is some corrosion on the keys because I had a marching band director who used to like to keep us in the rain or shine for practice. The corks are good, believe it or not, and the pads were replaced once, al-be-it some 10 or 12 years ago so I guess that is my main concern. My good old Bundy kept me in first chair through highschool, went to many marching band comps with me and won me many competitions in the state I grew up in so there is a degree of sentimental conection there. Plus it was a comfortable instrument with good sound that I throughly enjoyed so I would love to resurrect it. THe recorder is a great idea, then my kids can play with me, i did not even think of that. Thanks to all for the advise. I look froward to rekindiling my fun and play with an old friend.
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2004-07-03 15:20
Welcome back. I started clarinet from scratch about a year and a half ago at age 59. I'm really pleased with my progress and happy to add this instrument to my sax playing. With your past experience, it should not be long before you're playing again. This board is a great resource for all kinds of information and advice from some really great people.
Leonard
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