 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: morgan
Date: 2004-09-17 19:01
I bought a new Leblanc Rapsodie Sept. 3. My clarinet's keys and pads on the lower joint were quiet until a few days ago. Now they make a clicking noise when I press them. I have been trying my best to keep the clarinet clean since I bought it, so I don't understand why the keys and pads on the lower joint are behaving this way. Is this typical for a LeBlanc? Should I bring the clarinet to the store and ask for an overhaul?
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-09-17 19:40
An... overhaul !!!??? ![[frown]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie2.gif) You just bought it!! Two(?) weeks ago!
Why are you posting here, Morgan? Do not pass GO. Do not collect anything. Pick up your instrument in a hurry and go directly to the store manager and ask for it to be put in condition it was when you took it home. This is not typical behavior of any two week old decent piece of equipment.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: Fred
Date: 2004-09-17 20:59
Could it be that some cork on the bottom of keys has come off? Leblanc isn't known for great cork or glueing.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-09-18 01:22
<<My clarinet's keys and pads on the lower joint were quiet until a few days ago. >> Now they make a clicking noise when I press them.>>
The SOURCE of the click needs to be found. It is most unlikely to be the pads, or any single pad.
<<Now they make a clicking noise when I press them.>>
"They"? "them"?
It is most likely that there is a SINGLE cause, affecting a SINGLE key. Precise, analytical diagnosis is required, before correction can be made. If you are unable to do this, then definitely, take it to somebody who can, and although guarantee issues may be involved, the place you bought it may not necessarily have these skills.
EXPERT diagnosis would take a few seconds, and correction , probably a few minutes.
BTW it is common for silencing material to fall off new instruments. This is because reliable adhesives take more time to apply, and manufacturers, even of top brands, are cost cutting in every way possible that they can get away with, which is a good reason to take it back.
If several corks fall off during the guarantee period, I personally think you would be justified in asking for ALL the corks to be replaced, with glue that performs. :-) Piecemeal replacement of insecure corks is a costly exercise, especially in your time involvement, repeatedly returning the instrument to a technician.
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Author: morgan
Date: 2004-09-18 02:14
I went to the store I bought the instrument from, and a guy at the front desk said this was an instance of sticky pads. He proceeded to clean the pads with the cigarette paper I had brought. That seemed to silence the instrument for a little while.
I take the instrument home a few hours later. When I get home, I check all of the keys and pads again on the lower joint. Stick, stick, stick. Click, click, click. It's hard to tell which key(s) are making the loud noises, because none of them are completely quiet. I inspect the lower joint carefully with my untrained eye. Nothing looks bent, broken, or missing, but what do I know? I clean the pads again with the cigarette paper and swab the clarinet through with my silk swab. No significant change. Grr. I drove all the way to the store for nothing.
Does anyone know of a good clarinet technician in the Dallas/Fort Worth Texas (USA) area ?
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Author: Karel
Date: 2004-09-18 03:21
Personally, I would take it back to the store and ask for someone more expert than the guy at the front desk to look at it. When I bought my R13 and had some minor problems the store sent it to a technician for adjustment, at their cost. If you go to a repair tech on your own, you will have to carry the cost. If that is no problem, it may be the way to go. Makes nonsense of new istrument warranty which I would have an issue with. Best of luck.
Karel.
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Author: Burt
Date: 2004-09-18 03:31
I agree with Ron B and Karel. But if you are giving up on warranty service, try Tom Ridenour. He works at Brook Mays on route 183 (Dallas? Irving?). If he doesn't have the time, ask him for a recommendation.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2004-09-18 04:18
> Does anyone know of a good clarinet technician in the Dallas/Fort Worth Texas (USA) area ?
Burt is referring to the Brook Mays pro shop,
8605 CARPENTER FRWY Dallas, TX -
which is on the west side of 183 just south of Regal Row.
if you go there, make sure Tom Rigenour himself works on it - not one of the other techs at that site.
I had problems with an R-13 repaired at that location. full repad, i went back 3 times - they kept sending it back with an obvious pad leak (horn unplayable when returned to me). it also had some pitch problems due to improper regulation when returned to me. i finally got fed up with them and fixed the leaky pad and regulation issues myself.
10 months later, the new pads were failing. i sent the horn elsewhere for another repad job.
i've heard good things about john butler (carrollton, not the one in houston) but havent tried that shop yet. 1215 s. broadway, carrollton, tx
as always, your mileage may vary.... my bad experience with the pro shop seems to run against the grain, may of my friends think they're wonderful.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: morgan
Date: 2004-09-18 20:59
I'm going to try the music store again. I called and contacted the clarinet technician and he's going to look at it Monday. Is it a bad idea to practice on the instrument before then? Clarinet is like crack to me -- I must have it or I'll go crazy.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-09-18 21:51
You won't damage anything except your nerves by playing the instrument, Morgan  You really need to take it back as soon as possible though, Monday you say, and demand that they make it right. The tech seems like a reasonable sort and will probably do what is necessary. Play the horn before it leaves the shop to make sure everything is working "normally". If it happens again after that, a session with the owner/manager is in order.
- ron b -
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