 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: phoenix
Date: 2005-02-12 20:44
Hi,
I've been reading messages for a few weeks but have just
joined. I have some music background but have just begun
learning the clarinet.
I've only had the clarinet for about 1 week (it's a used rental)
and in putting it together have broken one of the cork pieces
(yes I used grease). I wasn't sure I should start this in
the first place as I have problems with my right thumb,
so I see this as a bad omen.
I've left it at the music studio but they were'nt sure it
can be repaired. I'm liable for this and am wondering
if this is a common problem and whether or not it can
be fixed.
Thank you,
Cathy
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-02-12 21:20
Seems to me that any cork appendage should be easily fixable.
And as for the right thumb, you may want to do a search for Kooiman, or neck strap, or things like that. It's a fairly common problem and believe me, won't stop you if you really wanna work around it!
Good luck with all and welcome to the OCD world of clarinetting!
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-02-12 21:38
If it's just the cork it's no significant problem. If it's the cork plus the plastic or wood under it....then it's somewhat serious.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Tom A
Date: 2005-02-12 23:50
So is it just the cork come off, or is the joint snapped? Bob is right about the seriousness of breaking the whole tenon, as the joint is called, but it takes a pretty serious bang to do that. You'd have to drop it heavily, or apply strong pressure at a very strange angle when assembling or removing the pieces. I'd be interested to hear what some of the techs on this BB have to say about the quality of the instrument or the previous existence of a poorly-repaired tenon.
BTW, I've seen clarinets in that situation repaired with a metal band. What make is the clarinet?
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Author: b.roke
Date: 2005-02-13 00:36
hi
i am also new to clarinetting - 5wks now and also this BB and this is my 1st post. i suffered pain in my right thumb from about day 3 on that progressively worsened until it limited my practice time and took my focus away from what it was i was trying to achieve.
i had had a kooiman thumbrest recommended to me and did a search on this board and bought one. i had just stopped a practice when it arrived, but i thought i would put it on and try it out anyway. 1/2hr later i had to stop to go out, not because of my thumb. it is better than sliced bread and almost as good as a roaring fire on a freezing day!
pity i can't give as good a solution to the cork problem.
cheers,
roger
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-02-13 01:32
If you get a chance, it might be good to take a picture of the broken cork and post it here. It could help us make a judgement call on it.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: phoenix
Date: 2005-02-13 09:48
Thankyou everyone for your responses. It's just the cork that
cracked with a piece coming off. It wasn't dropped, in fact it
appeared to go together with no problem but it didn't feel right
so I took it apart and a piece of the cork fell off. I left it at the
music studio, they were going to check if it could be repaired.
From what I'm reading here it seems that it should be able
to be fixed.
The Clarient is a Palatino, in good condition according to the
rental agreement. It actually appears to be in somewhat
poor condition, with a lot of the keys, etc. being loose and
having to be tightened.
I'm relieved to hear that it could probably be repaired.
I bought a neck strap for it and naturally it doesn't
fit the thumb rest which appears to have been replaced
at one point. I'm not off to the greatest of starts but am
not giving up, at least yet. I'll check out the Kooiman that
was suggested.
Thanks again,
Cathy
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2005-02-13 11:14
If it's a hire instrument, you probably will not be allowed to install the Kooiman thumbrest because more often than not, new holes have to be drilled. Check with your hirer.
Also, to me this instrument sounds a little under the weather. Unless you're paying an extremely good price for it, look elsewhere. I'm sure there are plenty of people here who can help you with that. I personally don't know much about it.
__________________
Don't hate me because I play Leblanc! ![[down]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley23.gif) Buffet
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-02-13 12:50
If it were me I'd insist the rental people give me a decent clarinet to use or go elsewhere. The broken cork is a very simple fix.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-02-13 13:02
Hi Phoenix et al, Yes you prob should see a repair tech for replacing the cork [if within your rental agreement] and also ask about reversing-raising the thumbrest to ease rt thumb pains, to see if an adjustable TR should be in your future. Just off hand, if you can withdraw from the rental agreement and buy a GOOD used cl, I'd recommend it. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-02-13 13:12
A ripped cork (came off) is about the easiest thing to replace on a Clarinet. If the store was clueless about it than you should be going to another store for your instrument.
Many/Most rental agreements cover damage as long as it wasn't willfull. You purchased a neckstrap but you still need the leather piece which converts the hook to fit on the Clarinet. The leather piece has a hole for the clip and another slot to fit over the thumbrest thus converting the thumbrest to accomodating a clip on strap.
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Author: clarinetist04
Date: 2005-02-13 16:06
Good advice all...actually I broke the tenon on my old student clarinet several years back and it was repaired beautifully...moral is: even bad things can be fixed nicely! I agree, it may be best to look elsewhere for renting...although I would always suggest buying a nice intermediate model that will last a while...maybe an E11 or 12. Used of course...that will keep the price down; probably under 500 dollars. Good luck!
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-02-13 18:36
E12 for under $500 is really unlikely (more like $700).
Personally I think that the E-12 is the best student clarinet on the market for under $1000 bar none. It isn't the R-13, but not the price either.
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Author: phoenix
Date: 2005-02-14 09:14
Hi,
I appreciate all the responses. Don't know why the store doesn't
know if it can be repaired. I can't be the only person this ever
happened to. I should know by the end of today. It's assessed
at 279.00 but as the teacher pointed out, it's not in the best
of shape.
It's probably a good idea to get it repaired, pay for the repairs and turn it in, then buy one. This one may be an accident waiting to happen. The screws keep coming loose and have to be tightened. I'm
lucky the teacher's been noticing it or they'd all have fallen
out by now.
I have all the parts of the strap but apparently the thumbrest
was replaced by someone. It's too wide for the leather piece
to fit over. I've looked at the Kooiman and wish it wasn't
as expensive as it is. Still it would eventually be worth it
if it would really help.
I think 700.00 may be a little out of my price range (for the E 12)
but I should be able to find something for less.
Thanks again,
Cathy
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-02-14 11:56
Kathy, the Kooiman has the plastic model which is only $20!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't get the one for over $100 as your Clarinet doesn't warrant that kind of money spent.
As for the Leather piece, all you would need to do is to cut it wider to fit.
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Author: Orlando Natty
Date: 2005-02-14 21:12
I don't know what the rules are on here for mentioning places to buy things, [ Perfectly fine, but you may want to read all the rules of the bulletin board at: http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/help.html?f=1 - GBK ] but I've always thought that the woodwind and brasswind store has good prices. I don't work for them or anything, just bought my Buffet E11 more than 10 years ago there and they offered the best price at the time. They have a web site, but are located in South Bend Indiana. Or you could try Ebay, but it doesn't sound like you know a tremendous amount about how a clarinet should look, so be very careful when buying!
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2005-02-14 22:43
Since I hadn't heard of the Palatino brand before (and suspected what it probably was), I just did a quick Google search on "palatino clarinet" without the quotes. The first site I came across was Giardinelli.
http://www.giardinelli.com/srs7/search/detail/base_pid/466508?src=AWBZ4C2!!b_id=17
They will sell a brand new one for $149.99 so I would say your local store's valuation is ...um "inflated"? Not that you'd want to buy one. You might want to read the reviews posted on the site, though. Two of the three particularly note problems with the keys and the key layout.
While I don't agree with the recommendations that you rush out and spend $500 or more to buy a clarinet, just yet, I think you should terminate your contract, if you can and find another rental source. The four major makers of student clarinets, and the ones I think a novice should stick with, are Buffet, Leblanc, Selmer and Yamaha. A used student model from one of these makers shouldn't run more than $15-$20 a month. If you can buy one for $150-$200 (and on eBay they often go for far less), you can resell it and won't be out much if you decide the clarinet isn't for you. Do yourself a favor, though, and get a decent instrument in good condition so that you have a fair chance of enjoying it.
Best regards,
jnk
Post Edited (2005-02-15 13:42)
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Author: phoenix
Date: 2005-02-15 09:13
Hi,
Thanks for the info. on the 20.00 Kooiman thumbrest. I definately
didn't see it on the website.
As far as widening the opening on the leather piece, it's not
possible. The opening is almost at the edges now.
I'm not sure what I'll do yet but I will turn in the Palatino.
Because the cork just seemed to come apart the way it
did I'll always be uncomfortable putting it together.
I don't know anything about the clarinet, I used to play the
piano and they're about as far apart as 2 instruments can
get. Easier as far as the music goes, but I have a long way
to go to get my breathing up to par.
Sounds like the Palatino is a good brand to avoid. It doesn't
make sense to rent out a poor instrument. You end up
with the person thinking the clarinet is wrong for them
and quitting. It's a good thing I joined this group.
Cathy
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