 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dano
Date: 2005-01-22 21:32
I don't like storing my clarinets in cases that keep the bell attatched to the lower barrel. I prefer storing my clarinets with the bell removed. I think it promotes better cleaning and drying of the instrument. But then why would clarinet makers provide cases that keep the bell attatched to the clarinet? Am I being paranoid and overly concerned?
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Author: John Stackpole
Date: 2005-01-22 21:53
The one time I left the bell on "too long" I had the devil's own time getting it off again later. Don't do it! Why take a chance.
I haven't looked but can you get just plain clarinet cases without clarinets inside? Obviously you will want a "bell detatched" case.
JDS
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-01-22 21:56
My first clarinet had a wood body and "resonite type" bell and barrel. The case was designed to keep the barrel and bell assembled. I never had any cracking problem. I imagine there are various arguments for and against even with an all-wood horn. Theoretically , keeping things assembled may compress the cork. ....and so on. Not many clarinets today are sold with longer cases.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Dano
Date: 2005-01-22 22:42
The new Selmer St. Louis and the Buffet R-13 Vintage do come with "bells attatched" cases. I imagine that they are not the only ones. I have just a plain Propac that I keep my Buffet Vintage in but find it strange that the manufacturers of these clarinets don't seem to think keeping the bell on all the time will do any harm when as BobD says, theoretically, the cork may become compressed. I would at least like a disclaimer from Buffet. They put a disclaimer in the case that says storing the mouthpeice in the case may darken the silver plate on the keys, and they are not responsible for darkened silverplated keys, (which I find odd). Why not say either way if storing the bell attatched is harmful?
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-01-22 23:06
One of the common problems with new wood clarinets is that the bell or barrel may have to be forced on due to the wood moving over time after leaving the factory. Perhaps shipping the horn with the bell attached overcomes this customer problem. But.....the customer might have a problem getting the bell off!? But...if the case is made to accomodate the horn with the bell ON......the customer theoretically won't have to remove the bell. Maybe the cork they are using now doesn't compress like "the old cork" did. Don't know the real purpose.
Bob Draznik
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Author: msloss
Date: 2005-01-23 01:54
Many repair techs like the Brannens are not big fans of the cases that keep the bells on because yes, the cork can compress with time, but more importantly the tenon and socket don't dry well. Reality is those compact pochette-style cases are just more convenient for those of us who have to schlep multiple horns, folios, etc. to gigs.
The best thing you can do is leave the bell loose on the lower joint. It saves the cork, allows air to circulate, and pretty much guarantees the bell won't lock up. I have done this for more than 20 years with various Buffet and Selmer clarinets and have never cracked a lower joint, locked a bell, or ruined a cork. My ca.-1984 R13s still have the original bottom tenon corks and the bells are snug as a bug in a rug.
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Author: allencole
Date: 2005-01-23 16:14
I just bought a pair of Buffets in a double case and was similar disappointed. Of course, I still take them apart after each playing so that moisture can be wiped away.
Also, if there is a day that I don't play, I generally take them out, remove the bells, and make sure that corks are adequately greased.
Allen Cole
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-01-23 16:42
The Buffet type double cases with the bell loosely attached to the lower joint are ok for traveling, but in my opinion not for long term storage.
Rather, if you like your double case with the bell attached, find a few used single cases for storage between times you need to travel. Many clarinetists own double cases, thus have put their unwanted, used single cases up for sale on sites like eBay. They can be found at quite reasonable prices. The new Buffet single cases are VERY overpriced.
I have all my clarinets stored in either (1960's old style) Buffet single cases or double cases and use BAM double cases for travel ...GBK
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2005-01-23 21:26
As long as there is adequate GOOD quality grease on the cork, It should never be too difficult to remove.
A perhaps valid point has been made regarding the joint not being dried after playing. . If it is left assembled all the time, then there is no reason why sufficient grease could not be used to fill the gap between the end of the tenon and the socket, such that there would be LESS exposure to moisture than for a regularly-disassembled bell.
Yes, the cork will compress and lose resilience. That is seldom a problem for a bell, where the demands on the cork are small. A loose CENTRE tenon is a very different case.
What I see as the downside of cases that keeps the bell on the body, is that such cases usually require the barrel to be left on the upper body. because this is a part of the body subject to slight bending forces, and because the joint may need to be stable while pulled out for tuning, it is more important that this cork have sufficient resilience and be firm-fitting.
For such cases I sometimes suggest that the barrel be kept inside the bell.
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