 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Vince
Date: 2000-01-31 05:01
Help!! I've recently dug out an old clarinet from my closet, and I'm confused regarding what brand it is.
I'd always assumed it was a Buffet, but in the top of the oval it says "Evette & Schaeffer' with Paris and France beneath it. On the bottom of the oval it says "Modele Buffet Crampon". The serial # is K37231.
This clarinet was bought in about 1980, and has been played a LOT, but has hardly been touched in the last 10 years (playing tenor sax has been much more lucrative for me). I found it difficult to play, probably lots of leaks, and the pads are badly discolored and have never been replaced. Should I have it over-hauled?
Thanks for your help,
Vince
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Lelia
Date: 2000-01-31 13:13
I think you should take the clarinet to a technician who can look things over and tell you if you need an overhaul. It sounds as if you do need some work, since you're detecting leaks already. They're not going to "play in" and get any better on their own. Maybe you don't need a full overhaul, but only a tech who can examine the clarinet can tell you.
Sometimes discoloration of the pads doesn't mean much, but if they're really dark, they're probably shot. If the pads have turned golden brown, they've probably got "the curse of the Mummy's tomb" -- some kind of dry rot, I guess (common on "garage clarinets"). The pads might seal all right for a few hours of playing time, but then they'll start to pack down, peel and disintegrate quickly (like the poor old Mummy dug up and exposed to daylight!). If the pads are black, maybe they're mildewed or rotted. Even pads that look all right on the outside can sometimes turn out to be no good after a few hours of playing, because pad bugs (mites?) have chewed up the felt stuffing inside.
Even if the case looks okay, it might be a good idea to go over it with a vacuum cleaner, to clear out any critters and their eggs. I usually wash out an old case even if it doesn't look like it needs it, then leave the case open to sunlight for a couple of hours. Don't put bug poison in there, though, or it could make you sick.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: J.Butler
Date: 2000-01-31 13:28
You've probably got a "Master Model" of which you can find a lot of references about here in the sneezy archieves. An approximate equivalent now is the E-13. They are very good instruments.
J. Butler
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tobin
Date: 2000-01-31 17:03
If it is a Master Model it will say Master Model in chunky block letters just below the insignia on the upper joint. Most of the other Evettes won't list a model name. Yes, they were made by Buffet at the time you bought yours. You can tell which model they are by the insignia, which is slightly different depending on year and model. Look here under search using "evette" for a wealth of info. Try same on the Klarinet Archives (scroll to the bottom of the page and a link is there.)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
