 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clairannette
Date: 2006-03-25 03:51
First of all, let me tell you about the history of my clarinet: My Buffet R13 was made in 1977 but sat untouched in someone's attic until 1996, when it was touched up (new corks, etc) and I purchased it. I have never had any problems with cracks (the wood is excellent) until last spring- I had my first crack above the top side key tone hole. I keep a sponge in a film canister in my case all the time and tonight I have noticed a new crack, this time on the lower joint. It goes from the top tenon about an inch down, but the crack goes at an angle. It hasn't opened up and doesn't appear to have gone through to the inside, but there is a ridge where the crack is.
My question is why has my clarinet been fine all of these years only to start cracking now? I play a lot, at least 3-4 hours a day, and was wondering if that contributes to it cracking? I make sure to keep it from extreme temperature changes and everything else one is supposed to do. Any advice? Thanks!!
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2006-03-25 19:05
Ouch,
I just had my '61-ish Buffet crack through the upper joint A-hole. I think it was caused by rushing the clarinet from my (cool/coold) car to my teacher's studio and putting my hot air through the bore. First crack in 45 years, and very sad.
I live in North (not northern) Idaho, and the humidity in residences typically runs at about 33% in this heating season. I keep a soaking wet Dampit in my case.
My teacher has taught me to place the joints in my arm pits until they are no longer cold to the touch before assembling and blowing through the horn. His, more contemporary, Buffets are riddled with (repaired) cracks.
Bob Phillips
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Author: GoatTnder
Date: 2006-03-25 22:07
Do you live in southern california? I have a 1974 Evette Schaffer that just very recently got a crack in the barrel. I think it's because it was such a dry warm winter followed immediately by three cold weeks of rain.
The dilemma now is, considering I don't use that clarinet anymore, do I get the barrel fixed? I think probably not, because I have others that fit...
-Andy Cabrera
a.l.cabrera@gmail.com
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Author: corks&pads
Date: 2006-03-26 16:05
It goes from the top tenon about an inch down, but the crack goes at an angle. It hasn't opened up and doesn't appear to have gone through to the inside, but there is a ridge where the crack is.
Get a very good tech to take a look at it. You don't say how much of an angle, but R13s are made with select-grain wood and "angular crack" sounds a bit suspicous to me. There's a possibility that it's not as bad a problem as you think. Let's hope so, anyway.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2006-03-26 22:10
The non linear crack sounds like "bad" wood to me. Imagine the billet this came from having had a branch near the top of it that was cut off....but all of the branch was not removed. Or the clarinet could have been dropped on end in the assembled state by a previous owner causing a weakened condition that got worse with moisture. I am a retired Materials/Metallurgical engineer so this is not just idle speculating.....although I could be wrong. Such angled cracks are more often seen in plastic horns in my experience.
Bob Draznik
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Author: corks&pads
Date: 2006-03-27 13:30
The non linear crack sounds like "bad" wood to me.
That's exactly why I find it to be suspect, Bob. If this were a student model Buffet, or even if the crack was in the bell, it would seem more plausible--but not on an R13. Of course, anything's possible, but I think this one deserves a close look by someone knowledgeable.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-03-28 18:36
I agree that you need to get it to a tech asap! Then, if you find out it cracked due to defects in the wood--I'd talk to a Buffet rep. and see if they would replace the joint.
Sometimes an older clarinet becomes vulnerable after we move to another house and there is a change in atmospheric conditions (although it's stored in a case it still is affected somewhat). You might need to add a humidifier to the case during the dry heating months of winter. Some houses are dryer than others due to central heat or other heating methods.
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