 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: markm
Date: 2006-06-29 03:53
In the last year, I have bought a new R-13 vintage Bb and just now took delivery of a new R-13A vintage. The Bb has developed some buzzy notes (upper joint), noisy key work, and the ring keys are somewhat high (all). With the new A, there are also some buzzy notes also upper joint. Is this normal with new horns? Should I send it back or go visit my local repairman who is a very well respected person and has personalized some other horns for me (used). Key height is obviously workable. Thinking about cork pads. Thoughts?
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Author: RodRubber
Date: 2006-06-29 04:23
Visit ur guy and get the horns set up to ur liking. I use cork pads, some people prefer valentino or skin or whatever.
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Author: pmgoff78
Date: 2006-06-29 04:49
Just play the stupid horn.
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Author: markm
Date: 2006-06-29 04:55
Gee.... I'm sorry if I'm concerned about my sound!!!!! Let's see.. it's ~10:00 pm on the west coast. Perhaps it's bedtime on the east coast??????
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Author: mtague
Date: 2006-06-29 05:17
Take it to a repair tech. They can try and find out what is causing the buzzing that developed in the r13, and can give a once over to the a r13 and see if the buzzing on that one is fixable. I don't think sending it back would work, unless your repair tech it was something with the horn itself that can't be fixed (cracks?). I haven't a clue if it's normal with new horns since I've only ever bought used.
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Author: Ryan25
Date: 2006-06-29 06:27
I'm Sure Cork pads on the upper joint would help. Also have your tech check to make sure all the tone holes are clean. Sometimes new horns from buffet have little bits of debris in them like wood chips etc. Congrats on your new horns!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-06-29 11:45
Chances are good that the horn is not in same adjustment it was when leaving the factory. In addition, the pad/corking of new horns (Buffet is notorious for this) is not usually "top drawer." For the sake of expense, just address the issues at hand, leaks, buzzy pads, but for future reference, factoring the attention of a complete re-working by a very competent technician is always wise.
.......Paul Aviles
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Author: pmgoff78
Date: 2006-06-29 13:03
You're complaining about a brand new horn. None of us would ever have learned anything if we used a "perfect" instrument. Plus, nobody's instrument is ever going to be "perfectly" set up for more than 1 second because as soon as you touch it it goes out of adjustment.
BTW - the sound is you, not your instrument. If you really sound good, you'll sound good on anything.
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2006-06-29 13:33
>>the sound is you, not your instrument<<
However, if I read this question right, the concern is not the player's general sound, but an unnatural buzzing and key clacking which, in the case of the Bb, has developed after some time, and in the case of the A, has been present from the start.
I've experienced this buzzing with one new and one just-overhauled clarinet, and in both cases, it turned out to be a loose pad and a key height which was not optimum.
Should be easy enough to fix, with a tech who can hear the problem. It's like taking your car to a mechanic -- you've got to get it to make the noise for them, so they know what to fix.
Susan
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Author: Brad Behn
Date: 2006-06-29 15:02
Regarding your buzzy notes, in addition to the help already offered I would check to make sure your reed is not too hard and stuffy sounding. Perhaps a clear and vibrant sounding reed is all that is needed?
Good luck.
Brad Behn
http://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-06-29 15:10
But...........
About "your sound" vs. the horn. If the linkage between top and bottom jonts is completely fouled (for example), even Larry Combs couldn't play a decent one-and-one Bb. Once a horn is ADJUSTED PROPERLY I would then agree with the above sentiments.
.........Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-06-29 15:28
"Plus, nobody's instrument is ever going to be "perfectly" set up for more than 1 second because as soon as you touch it it goes out of adjustment."
If that was the case then none of us would be playing clarinets or any other mechanised instruments at all. Should we all revert back to playing chalumeaux and early leyless instruments to avoid this 'problem'?
I play on full Boehms (Selmers) all of which I have worked on and set up myself, and they don't go out of adjustment on me even after several hours of playing (and they have cork pads), and neither do any of the other instruments I play.
Please tell us where you base your findings pmgoff78, I think we're all very interested in hearing that as well.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ryan25
Date: 2006-06-29 16:31
pmgoff78,
If we as clarinet players should just play a horn right out of the box then the Brannens would not offer there brannenizing of new instruments that many people pay 500 dollars a horn for. I think you comments are quite strange and if this is your philosophy, I hope you don't expect to win an audition against an equal level player that has taken the time to make sure there instruments are set up correctly. If this works for you then great but I have a feeling it does not. Clarinets need to be set up and new horns with small problems are quite common. No horn will ever be "perfect" but new horns need a once over to cear out tone holes, check the linkage and pad seating as well as spring tension etc. I realy don't understand where you are coming from on this one?
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Author: Alex M.
Date: 2006-06-29 16:42
I cannot answer the question on bridges and key heights, but I get a very buzzy, almost hissing, sound on my clarinet when I play a reed that is too stiff for my embouchure. Are you playing the same reed/mp set up you used on your other horns?
Alex M.
Massachusetts
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Author: markm
Date: 2006-06-29 17:11
reed/mouthpiece is not an issue as I can play my selmers and not have the problem. Selmers are all corked. I'll take them to the repairman and see what he says before I do anything else.
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Author: pmgoff78
Date: 2006-06-29 23:54
I find it funny that you call into question my ability when you don't even know me. I say that to say this. I could win an audition with a plastic horn. I learned the hard way and that's a good thing.
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Author: Ryan25
Date: 2006-06-30 00:32
pmgoff78,
I appolgize for questioning your playing.....I just don't understand the attitude you have about making sure an instrument is set up correctly.....thats all. Good luck in your future playing on your plastic horn:). "the old way".....does that mean you learned before moennings time? Was Marcellus wrong for having Hans tweak his horns??
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Author: jbutler ★2017
Date: 2006-06-30 02:11
Markm,
I suggest along with the others that you take your instrument to have it evaluated. True, a clarinet set up properly should stay in adjustment for a good time, but sometimes pads with double bladder can cause buzzy problems if the outer layer of bladder becomes loose. The outer layer can vibrate against the inner layer causing an undesirable sound. Keys that aren't vented properly (not opening enough) can cause "airy" problems.
Noisy keywork can be caused by many different problems. Make sure the key corks are still in place. There may be some play in the pivots and key ends. Swedging can take up end play and pivots can be either replaced or recessed to take up lateral play.
Key height is easily remedied through use of different thickness of kicker material under the key or adjustment of the key itself. You state yourself that your local repairer is very well respected, so there shouldn't be a problem having him/her adress these problems for you.
jbutler
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Author: pmgoff78
Date: 2006-06-30 02:49
The hard way.
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2006-06-30 03:12
Advising someone to "play the stupid horn" is . . .well, stupid.
Unless you buy a custom-made clarinet they are mass produced. All of them need to be checked over, adjusted and set up to the players liking.
What do you get out of being so nasty?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-06-30 09:05
"I find it funny that you call into question my ability when you don't even know me."
So what do you know that we don't?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2006-06-30 10:45
Pmgoff78,
I question your tact as well as your manners and I do not know you. Please see the email that I sent you privately.
HRL
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