 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jane84
Date: 2007-04-22 13:21
My Festival A-cl, aquired 6 months ago, has cracked; all the way from the top of the upper joint down to the thumb hole. Well, actually there are two cracks: one from the top, past the register hole to right under the middle of the key, and the other starting 5mm right of where the first one ends, going past the spring mechanism to the f tonehole. It doesn't seem to go through the bore, and isn't very large, though larger than a hairline.
After one hour of screaming and banging my head against the wall (at least mentally), I have the following questions, for the knowledgeable:
1. From the joint to the register hole, there seems to have been glued a crack before. There has also been a large crack on the other side of the joint (down to the a-hole). Is this a classical case of "bad wood"?
2. I'm supposed to be going to an audition in two days (tuesday), and I haven't got another A. Would it be OK to just play it as usual, and then put it away after tuesday, or is that likely to make it a lot worse?
I can't really afford to get it repaired at all, but I realise clarinets are seldom seem to be self-healing..
3. The tones from 3rd line B up to f sharp are suddenly hard to play and sound forced. Is this due to the crack(s) ?
4. Do I really deserve this?...sigh..
With many thanks in advance,
-jane
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Author: jmsa
Date: 2007-04-22 13:31
Hi Jane,
Very sorry to hear about your situation. It appears that you are from Norway. Due to your climate perhaps you would consider having the instrument repaired and then trading it in for a Greenline Festival. I wish you a positive outcome.
jmsa
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-04-22 14:12
"My Festival A-cl, aquired 6 months ago, has cracked; all the way from the top of the upper joint down to the thumb hole."
It may still be covered under warranty against cracks, so take it back to where you bought it with the receipt to see if the top joint can be replaced under warranty - this way you won't be out of pocket, though you will be without your A in the interim.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: jane84
Date: 2007-04-22 14:18
No, I bought it used... Made around 1990, I think.
I used to live a place in Norway where the seasons don't change around every day - maybe I should switch to xaphoon.....
-jane
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Author: jane84
Date: 2007-04-23 12:42
Hello, could someone please answer me: would it be OK to play it, as long as it sounds relatively well? I'd hate to pass down this audition, and it doesn't seem I can borrow a clarinet either...
-jane
(getting a bit desperate now)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-04-23 12:56
It would be alright to play on, though it all depends on how well it plays as it could be leaking where the split runs into a tonehole - you don't really want to do an audition with a leaking, and potentially squeaking clarinet.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2007-04-23 13:22
So sorry to hear about your clarinet. If you have no way to get it fixed and no way to borrow one from someone before the audition I suggest you go ahead and use the cracked one. It won't hurt it, but you might not do as well as you would have if it had not cracked. If it is possible to explain this and show it to whomever is holding the audition, I would do so before performing the audition. Be sure to let them know it has just happened and you will be getting proper equipment (either a repair or another instrument) if you get the position.
I would recommend Tom Ridenour's Lyrique A clarinet if you get a new one. It is hard rubber (yes a professional model) and would never crack. I have a Bb and it is quite wonderful. It has a big full tone similar to the Buffet. (Look the Lyrique clarinet up in a search on this bboard you'll find some happy owners).
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Author: hans
Date: 2007-04-23 14:43
jane84,
If the audition is without accompaniment, perhaps you could play on a Bb clarinet.
Re: #4... No, you don't deserve this.
Best wishes,
Hans
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