 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Conn Alto
Date: 2007-12-05 16:05
Well two questions.
1. Who in New England does the best clarinet overhauls?
2. Does it make sense to ship an instrument out of the area to have somebody special do the work?
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2007-12-05 16:30
Bill Street in Gorham Maine does an excellent overhaul. He uses a synthetic pad that seals wonderfully.
Also you may try Amillio at Rayburn Music in Boston.
There are a few folks who recommend the valentinos. Avoid 'em.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-12-05 16:57
"There are a few folks who recommend the valentinos. Avoid 'em."
As in avoid the people, the pads, or both?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: redwine
Date: 2007-12-05 17:22
Hello,
I always think it's best to go locally, if you can. A really good repairman will listen to you play and adjust what he/she does depending upon what he/she hears. I think the best work is done when you can drop off your instrument, let the repairman set the instrument up on their own time, then when you return to pick up the instrument, plan to spend some time for that person to "tweak" what they've done.
If you don't have a good local repairman, of course, then you have to ship your instrument out or learn the trade yourself. It's not rocket science, but there is definitely artistry involved. If you find a great repairman, you'll know it when they finish your instrument.
Sorry I don't know anyone in MA, but if you can go down to NYC, Wojtek Komsta is the best I've used.
Good luck.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2007-12-05 18:24
I don't particularly care for affect the valentino pads have on sound. They are also mad-crazy easy to install (read...."cheap" in terms of work hours), so I am suspicious of repairmen that sing their praises.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2007-12-05 18:45
redwine wrote: "I always think it's best to go locally, if you can. A really good repairman..."
I think that's Conn Alto's predicament, finding the good repair people. Around here (L.A. area), there are some excellent shops, and others that may very well make your instrument play worse than before you took it in.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: Conn Alto
Date: 2007-12-05 19:29
I am much inclined to go local and almost certainly will. Whatever I might lose by not having my instrument repaired by the so called "best" is made up for by local service and a good relationship with the repair tech. I was just curious as to opinions but in an area like this there are good choices. My needs should be easily met by any pro.
I hear so much about Emillios sax work pro and con but I don't know that I have ever heard his clarinet work discussed. I own a Series II alto that he overhauled that is just fantastic, he did it for a friend of mine who he really likes so it seems he put a lot of care into the work.
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Author: redwine
Date: 2007-12-05 21:49
Hello,
If this person did a good job with your saxophone, you should take your clarinet in to him too. If he's a class act, if he can't handle what you are asking, he'll send you to someone that can do what you desire.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: skennedy
Date: 2007-12-06 01:45
Glenn Sargent of Northern Kingdom Music of Camden, Maine did some excellent action work for me.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-12-06 02:56
Paul Aviles- "Bill Street in Gorham Maine does an excellent overhaul. He uses a synthetic pad that seals wonderfully."
Do you know what this magic synthetic is??
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Author: mnorswor
Date: 2007-12-06 04:55
I' try Gary Gorczyca in Hingham. His # is (781) 749-3050. He's doing a lot of work for pros in the area and I've used him several times with wonderful results. He'll really take the time to listen to you, which for me is important. Tell him I sent you!
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