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 A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: CWH 
Date:   2007-12-29 21:19

I had one of those moments today, a true realization that I have some pretty nice horns in my collection. With much apprehension it was time to have my favorite Leblanc overhauled. After speaking with several other professionals here in the Scranton Pa. I dropped her off with a real local pro. The harsh reality came when I realized now what? Which horn will I use until I get her back? So with that I stared pulling out some horns, Dynamic II, Dynamic H, Symphony, and a L7. So I spent some time diddling around and then I played each. It was when I got to the L7 it struck me why I bought her, clear tone, great projection and intonation. Here is the epiphany, I then became more relaxed about having my Leblanc overhauled knowing I have an equal if not superior horn waiting to step-up. Here in lines a bigger question, like many of you why to we continue to buy more horns when we have great ones sitting in our closet? Perhaps it is a quest to find the perfect horn?

Study, Practice, Play and Enjoy.

Post Edited (2007-12-29 21:20)

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: EuGeneSee 
Date:   2007-12-29 21:39

I can speak only for myself, but I must be nuts!! I don't have the self-discipline to practice like I should in order to be able to play the clarinet at least (way up there) at the Junior High level, yet I can't look at a clarinet without an overwhelming compulsion to buy it!! Mom asks, "Where did I fail my child?" Eu

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: tictactux 2017
Date:   2007-12-29 21:46

Hehe, sounds all to familiar.

A bunch of good and not-quite-so-good clarinets went through my hands, but in the end I ruefully return to my Trusty Three plus the one I play on Birthdays only.

I think we're still at the cavepeople stage. (When I read the newspaper I usually feel confirmed in that perception). Hunters, collectors. That's what we are.

--
Ben

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: EuGeneSee 
Date:   2007-12-29 21:55

Yeah, but if I'm gonna spend that kind of dough on something, apparently to eat rather than play, then let it be truffles! Eu

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Lelia Loban 2017
Date:   2007-12-29 22:20

>>Here in lines a bigger question, like many of you why to we continue to buy more horns when we have great ones sitting in our closet? Perhaps it is a quest to find the perfect horn?
>>

We may think we're all refined and civilized, but then the old hunter-gatherer instinct kicks in....

Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Bill 
Date:   2007-12-30 00:04

I was standing on a Boston subway in about 1992 or 1993 with a woman I knew slightly, who had been a clarinetist in high school and college, and she said "I hear those really old Selmers were great clarinets." I had just started playing (1992) and her words got burned into my brain. I had no idea about "old Selmers" but my imagination was touched forever.

I can still see that scene and hear her say those words. I'll probably always remember it.

Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)


Post Edited (2007-12-30 00:04)

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: stevesklar 
Date:   2007-12-30 03:01

there's many great clarinets out there. some ppl prefer Leblanc, Selmers Buffet, SML B&H etc. It all personal preference.

I like my favorite 3 which I keep. a buffet R13, a Leblanc LL and a Selmer CT. One of each ... can't go wrong there.

I'm glad i keep my personal horns to only 3.

or should i say 4 .. I got one of those old Selmers too laying around - K or before series.

wait make that 5 ... 6 well, I guess we keep a collection because we like certain qualities of certain instruments.

==========
Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: David Spiegelthal 2017
Date:   2007-12-30 04:18

I'm with ya, CWH! I had a similar epiphany this weekend with alto saxes -- I'm going to be playing same on New Year's Eve, so I figured I'd dig out the various altos I've got and see which one sounded the best, to take on the gig. I was shocked to discover that I have SEVEN excellent alto saxes in my two closets. And I don't even play alto very often.

What's worse, I have quite a few times that many soprano clarinets in the house, and I'm primarily a BASS clarinetist.

We must all be demented.

But I suppose there are worse addictions.

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Bill 
Date:   2007-12-30 12:57

I thought it was cool that at one time I had examples of the largest and smallest Bb clarinet bores ever made: a B&H 1010 and a Selmer "Recital."

I have xxxx, K, L, M, N, and P Selmers.

Yeah, maybe it is time for a long walk ... some fresh air. LOL!

Bill.

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Don Berger 
Date:   2007-12-30 13:13

I'm with y'all, got the [good] disease/custom nearly as bad as D S, lots of Bb's, the CT and L7 also head my list, only one alto, Selmer B, but bidding on a Leblanc, only one bass, Selmer W, but tempted by a 1992 Buffet [C !] in OKC for $1500, looks like a "safe" investment, so I'm an H-G er also, I guess, OH, how I need to win the Lottery !! Saxes, only 2 altos, MK6 and "Buck Rogers" Leblanc, our son has my MK6 tenor in CA [don't sell it, Ed !!] Don

Thanx, Mark, Don

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: D 
Date:   2007-12-30 13:23

If I show my parents this will they think I don't have such a big problem after all?

the count so far:
4 clarinets
1 flute
1 alto sax
1 trombone
1 bombard
6 recorders
1 violin
1 fife
1 keyboard

I have a massive list which I'd like to add to that and it includes - baroque flute, early classical flute, more recorders (can never have enough - especially low pitch), oboe, baroque oboe, an early clarinet (or 4), bass trombone, piccolo, proper keyboard with weighted keyboard, pedals, ability to alter pitch to 415, harpsichord sound etc, tenor sax, soprano sax......etc.......

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Lelia Loban 2017
Date:   2007-12-30 14:03

>>If I show my parents this will they think I don't have such a big problem after all?
>>

That depends on how many instruments *they've* got.... ;-)

You can point out to them that the flute, the fife and the four recorders are so small they hardly count.

Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Ken Shaw 2017
Date:   2007-12-30 14:31

Lelia -

Not all recorders are small. See
http://www.adrianabreukink.com/ADRIANA/HOME and
http://www.adrianabreukink.com/ADRIANA/CV/SCBSTORY

For more sickness than you can stand, search here on GAS (gear acquisition syndrome). Even more than with clarinets, once you start collecting recorders there's no end. I'm well over 50.

Ken Shaw



Post Edited (2007-12-30 14:31)

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: clarnibass 
Date:   2007-12-30 14:50

>> why to we continue to buy more horns when we have great ones sitting in our closet? <<

"We" don't  :)

Well, I don't. I used to, but I not anymore. Maybe a coincidence, but I noticed it ended the same time when I found my way in music and started playing what I want to play. Not only I stopped buying stuff but more importantly it stopped being on my mind. Now I just try other instrument/mouthopieces/etc. if I have a chance because it is interesting to see something (or meet someone, same thing) different.

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Bill 
Date:   2007-12-30 15:59

You have been healed my son/daughter. Now take up your Baermann and walk ...

Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)


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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2007-12-30 16:12

If we have more than two of the same (or similar) thing, we have a collection.

If we have more than three of the same (or similar) thing, we're a hopeless bunch of hoarders.

If we have more than we really need (and still don't think that's enough), we're just shamelessly obsessive to the cause.

Hands up who falls into the latter category (he says holding up BOTH hands!).

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: clarnibass 
Date:   2007-12-30 17:25

Yes Bill, I'm a graduate of GASA [grin]

Re the Baermann, thanks but no thanks!  :)

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: JJAlbrecht 
Date:   2007-12-30 18:21

ChrisP, I have a couple of questions about the Selmer CT horns, and I don't want to bore the rest of the group to tears. Could you contact me offline?

Many thanks,

Jeff

“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010

"A drummer is a musician's best friend."


Post Edited (2007-12-30 18:49)

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: EuGeneSee 
Date:   2007-12-30 18:31

Hi. I'm EuGene and I'm a GASaholic.

You, too, can start one of these 12-step groups in your community. There is hope for recovery for those who suffer . . . etc. etc.

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2007-12-30 18:36

I suppose a succinct and to-the-point answer to the thread title is 'because they're there!'

(even if you're not meant to begin a sentence with the word 'because')

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Bill 
Date:   2007-12-30 22:16

I promise, you won't bore me! Chat away about CT's. Aw c'mon.

Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)


Post Edited (2007-12-30 22:22)

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: BassetHorn 
Date:   2007-12-30 22:25

When I realized I had too many horns (sopranos, basses, contras, saxes), I got myself a new hobby and I've now become collector of another kind...

You can beat the symptons but not the disease.

Happy collecting!

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: sfalexi 
Date:   2007-12-30 22:59

I have a similar problem, but with mouthpieces. i have collected a few horns, but I basically try the horns, and if the new horn is better than my old horn, I keep it and sell the old one. Otherwise I send it back. Mouthpieces however . . . GAS meetings probably wouldn't help with that (considering as of right now I have three more coming in . . .)

Alexi

US Army Japan Band

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: stevesklar 
Date:   2007-12-31 15:50

Alexi - 3 more coming in ? and just about how many do you have ???

I have a bunch too, but i prefer about 3 or 4 of them

==========
Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: sfalexi 
Date:   2007-12-31 16:04

Oh I've got . . . (in no particular order) . . .

1 Walter Grabner (and two more coming in)
3 Richard Hawkins B Models
1 Chedeville Refaced by Richard Hawkins
2 gigliottis (one on a new blank, one on the original
Otto Link blank)
1 No name that came with a clarinet
1 Buffet C-Crown
1 Crystal Selmer refaced by Richard Hawkins
2 Tom Ridenour Mpcs

That's what I can remember . . . probably a few more on their way back from overseas.

And on the way I have two more Grabners (different model than what I currently have) and a Peter Eaton (hehehe . . .kinda coming packaged with a clarinet that I felt like trying out . . .)

And that collection is what's left after my wife forced me to sell a few . . . ! But when I get all my mouthpieces back, I'll have to pick a few and sell the rest. I'll probably stick to about four.

Alexi

US Army Japan Band

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: JJAlbrecht 
Date:   2007-12-31 16:30

Alexi, I just sent you a mail to your account.

Jeff

“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010

"A drummer is a musician's best friend."


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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: CWH 
Date:   2007-12-31 17:09

Oh my look at what I’ve started.

It’s refreshing to know that I’m not the only one. To make matters worse, an opportunity to purchase an Opus II has landed at my front door. I guess the question is, can I make room for her in the closet? Do I have to sell something off in order to make room? Or do move on and start filling another closet?

Now on the serious side, I do have a chance to purchase an Opus II, and I do have a huge question. Is there any substantial change among or between the L7, L27 and the Opus II?
If anyone has experience with the L7 and Opus I would love to hear form you.

Study, Practice, Play and Enjoy.

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: stevesklar 
Date:   2007-12-31 18:01

cwh - a closet can hold many more clarinets than saxophones - which is my issue, a couple saxes take up too much space for me.

Alexi - not too bad. I guess my mpc collection is much larger ... i'd have to make a list ....

==========
Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: stevesklar 
Date:   2007-12-31 18:07

Box #1 - my A list

old Selmer crystal B facing
modern vandoren M13 lyre
vintage Noblet 2
pre 1938 Selmer HS* (lower logo)
post 1938 Selmer HS* (lower logo)
modern Selmer C85 120
2 Buffet C-crowns pre 1974
pre 1960s Buffet
modern logo Selmer HS*
vintage Woodwind K9
Selmer oval HS*
1920s Selmer HS*
1930s (?) Buffet evettine
1980 OBrien crystal

3 other boxes .....

==========
Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Bill 
Date:   2007-12-31 20:24

Steve, I love that mouthpiece gallery! Who did that snazzy art with the O'Brien mouthpiece? LOL! I agree that Buffet "Evettines" are excellent. They have, in my opinion, the perfectly curved windway. Your A list is similar to my own.

Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)


Post Edited (2007-12-31 20:29)

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: stevesklar 
Date:   2007-12-31 23:50

QUOTE: "Who did that snazzy art with the O'Brien mouthpiece?"

that snazzy artwork i grabbed with permission from some auction site guy .... can't remember his initials ... B.F. I believe ,
lives in Washington DC too =-p

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: nahoj 
Date:   2008-01-01 02:30

I suffer the same symptoms, but I can still control it: I've got two contra's and a soprano now. But I can feel the urge to get a bass too. The cost is holding me back though. And also I find that I really need to first master what I've got -- as if to 'earn' the next instrument.
None the less, always keeping my eyes open for a good bass...

You see it all around, people collecting stuff.

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: C2thew 
Date:   2008-01-01 02:58

it's when it becomes an obsession is when things start to go wrong. Some people that sell at swap meets make it their reason to go house to house to search and horde things.

At least for us, we know our limits (financially) as instruments are not cheap to come by. we are therefore limited by our finances to keep our GAS down.

or we just have more sensible control over ourselves. who knows.

What did i end up getting over the past 3 years?
3 buffets (2 Bb's and 1 A)
A modified bass clarinet
a fox oboe plastic
metal selmer (I saw one in the store when i was young and it just fascinated me to pieces that i had to own one, even though it needs alot of work)
King marigaux

and i've limited my accessories to a drawer in my desk; a very VERY packed drawer =)

Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: EuGeneSee 
Date:   2008-01-01 03:34

nahoj: Dad gum it! Now you have rained on my parade when you suggested that one must master their current instrument before they buy another. Since I have violated that "rule" many many times already, does that mean in order to make amends I must donate my R13 to Glenn and list the other horns on that auction site? Eu

P.S. Happy New Year, folks!

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: ned 
Date:   2008-01-01 03:42

Well, good luck to you collectors. I wouldn't mind one or two from Eberhart Kraut's collection though. Check the picture at the bottom of the following link:

http://www.new-orleans-delight.dk/Sidste%20nyt/Eberhard%20Kraut.html

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: nahoj 
Date:   2008-01-01 16:17

EuGeneSee: donate it all to me and thou shalt be forgiven! ;-)



I have already violated the 'rule' too -- if I'd live by it, I would only have one horn. I'm trying though to stick with it for some time -- it wouldn't feel right to already buy another rather expensive horn.
My brother is way worse, by the way (collecting tuba's).

In fact, there's nothing wrong with collecting nice instruments, I think, as long as your life doesn't suffer financially from it. And if you play the horns, even some only sporadically. It's kind of a waste to have a good instrument which never sees the daylight.

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2008-01-01 23:21

"My brother is way worse, by the way (collecting tuba's)."

Blimey! I thought tubas were acquired, and NOT collected! Has anyone got the floorspace for that sort of thing? Surely one is enough (but do keep it quiet about the cheap Wagner tubas on eBay.de).

Though they do make good garden ornaments, half-buried and with plants growing out of them.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: LeeB 
Date:   2008-01-02 01:21

Well, I just think that it's nice that there are people out there who enjoy giving a home to all these instruments. Let's face it, a lot of instruments in some collections are of historical interest, but are past their prime (or simply were never that great), and wouldn't necessarily be anyone's first choice as their main instrument.

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Cass Tech 
Date:   2008-01-02 15:39

I have a measly single set of clarinets, an A and a B-flat. As a amateur, I'm willing to settle for the 60's R-13s that were selected by my first teacher. If I were a pro, I might be compelled to examine the options. But just consider how lucky we are to be clarinetists instead of violinists. With a pair plus mouthpiece- reed-ligature-barrel combo, we can sound as good as our talent's limitations and our willingness to practice allow us. If we were violinists, we might well be dreaming of Strads, Guarneris and Amatis - and collecting them takes major bucks! In fact, I would argue that no one should have the right to own them. They should be public property and awarded to the worthiest players.

Cass Tech (leatherlip)

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Don Berger 
Date:   2008-01-02 16:40

Lee B [and others] say it well. I am now-continuing in the decision-throes of horn disposal, and have given a number of oldies to 2 musical museums, and another number of "playables" to our comm. band, local history museum and individuals beyond the family "supply" needs. Our most-musical son is helping me. Let that be a warning to collectors of "miscellany", 'tis hard to find recipients for "junkers". Don

Thanx, Mark, Don

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: D 
Date:   2008-01-02 18:47

Oh I feel so much more normal now...thanks everybody.

I have decided that for 2008, whenever I save some money on something I would have bought anyway, i.e. if I get a 5p a litre card for petrol, then that money is going in the music fund. As I can't afford to go on holiday or anything else like that I think it is fair! Saved £10.00 today, so off to a good start. Only need £689 more and I can have the sax I have my eye on.....

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: nahoj 
Date:   2008-01-02 22:21

Chris P wrote:
>>>>>
>>"My brother is way worse, by the way (collecting tuba's)."

>Blimey! I thought tubas were acquired, and NOT collected! Has anyone got the floorspace for that sort of thing? Surely one is enough (but do keep it quiet about the cheap Wagner tubas on eBay.de).
<<<<<

He's indeed running a little short in floorspace... but then again, they're nice looking. Ànd sounding: no cheap Wagner tuba's!

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: PlainEd 
Date:   2008-01-05 01:48

I possibly have an idea. I, too, have become a "collector" of instruments over the past 5 years: several saxophones, a few clarinets (sold my Buffet E-11 recently), a couple of recorders while I've thought about flutes, a mandolin and an accordion.

When many of us were young and beginning musicians, we had little idea of the vastness of what was available pertaining to instruments. Our world was often limited to the one instrument, provided by parents, that we carried back and forth to elementary, middle and high school during our weeks. Some teachers and band directors were kind enough to encourage a number of us to "double" and experiment on other instruments. This never happened for me.

I'm now a more "enlightened" middle-aged guy who finds himself enamored with the wonderful and interesting variety of things to play that are out there...and a few dollars of my own to purchase these with. I don't see that it's such a threatening habit situation for me at this juncture (I do think I have the ability to control myself a bit as I move along - I actually walked away from a 1950 Conn 14M I saw in a pawn shop recently). And I do plan to sell a few more of my "precious finds" in the future when I can do this without too much of a sense of regret (grin).

Ed Crotts
Forest City, NC

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Lelia Loban 2017
Date:   2008-01-05 12:02

Ken Shaw wrote,
>>Not all recorders are small. See
http://www.adrianabreukink.com/ADRIANA/HOME and
http://www.adrianabreukink.com/ADRIANA/CV/SCBSTORY

For more sickness than you can stand, search here on GAS (gear acquisition syndrome). Even more than with clarinets, once you start collecting recorders there's no end. I'm well over 50.
>>

Of course you're right. I've got a bass recorder and a couple of tenor recorders. Well, maybe more than a couple. (Maybe four...or so. But only one bass and no contrabass yet. ) I was comparing the recorders to the bass sax and the contra-alto clarinet. I've only got one of those each, and no Bb contrabass clarinet yet, so maybe I have to hit 60 next spring before the addiction really becomes hopeless.

(Never mind about the mouthpieces. Or the reeds. Those really are too small to count...aren't they?)

Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: shmuelyosef 
Date:   2008-01-07 00:27

Storage is an issue, but all the clarinets can disappear. I also have 3 baritone saxes and four pianos in addition to every type of everything.

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Bassie 
Date:   2008-01-07 15:31

There's a lot to be said for having two of whatever you play, just in case of disaster / extended servicing. Two viable reed manufacturers, two mpc's etc. But then I suppose you need more than that to compare them against, right? Which is why I have so many reeds and mpc's... but I've never got into collecting instruments. If you start looking historically there's just so many, and it's hard to try them against each other without... well.. buying them... and I'm still saving up for my brand new extended bass and set of proper pro instruments :-)

But better these old instruments go to loving homes than become lamps (or worse). I mean, just think of the grenadilla. We owe those trees something.

I imagine that playing a collection of instruments occasionally is good for them... keeps the moisture balance in the wood right. I would hazard a guess that mothballing an instrument requires great care.

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Lelia Loban 2017
Date:   2008-01-08 12:18

>>I imagine that playing a collection of instruments occasionally is good for them... keeps the moisture balance in the wood right. I would hazard a guess that mothballing an instrument requires great care.
>>

Thank you for that excellent, plausible-sounding excuse, oops, I mean *reason*! ;-)

Speaking of mothballing--I realize you probably didn't use that word literally, but I've been wondering about a damaged wooden clarinet I saw at an indoor flea market earlier this winter. It was a decent older student model (Evette, if memory serves) and looked as if it only needed the usual corks, pads and springs to make it playable, but I decided not to buy it because I don't need another student clarinet and I thought this one looked too cosmetically damaged to re-sell if I refurbished it.

The cosmetic damage was in the form of bleaching and discoloration all along the side of the upper section that was next to the open parts compartment--the side with the a-flat throat key. The wood along that side (but nowhere else on the clarinet) was pale and had an orange tone that looked to me like a chemical discoloration. I wasn't sure what might happen if I tried dyeing the wood back to black (discolored wood can take stain in unpredictible ways), so it stayed at the flea market.

The parts compartment had no lid and the partition was low enough not to touch the inside lid of the case when the case was closed. The case sat open at the flea market and so I don't know which things in that parts compartment might have migrated around in the case when it was shut during transportation, but among the things in that parts compartment were several mothballs. They were conspicuously shrunken and I couldn't smell them at all: They'd been in that case for years. They were the only unusual things in the case. The rest of the stuff was the usual case litter: an old swab, cork grease (completely dried out and cracked) a screwdriver, reeds, etc.. It was obvious from the obsolete brands of reeds, the brand and condition of the cork grease, etc. that nobody'd played this clarinet in decades and I'm guessing the mothballs may have stayed in the case all that time. Is it possible that the mothballs in the compartment next to that discolored upper section caused the discoloration?

Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2008-01-08 13:48

With any collection of instruments, especially clarinets, DO make sure the one you happen to take with you to do a job with has a mouthpiece with it!

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Bassie 
Date:   2008-01-08 15:29

Ah, there's the rub! -

if you store an instrument long-term with the mouthpiece in the case, you'll tarnish the silver.

All round wherever the mouthpiece sits, expect discoloration. So the same sort of thing with the camphor in mothballs makes perfect sense.



Post Edited (2008-01-09 10:25)

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Ed 
Date:   2008-01-08 16:26

why collect more horns?




firewood!

[whoa]



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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Bill G 
Date:   2008-01-09 03:28

I agree with Chris P., and also suggest that when you go on a dance job you be sure to take a Bb and not an A. It has happened to me. Bill G.

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: sfalexi 
Date:   2008-01-09 17:47

Quote:

With any collection of instruments, especially clarinets, DO make sure the one you happen to take with you to do a job with has a mouthpiece with it!
Easy solution. Buy enough mouthpieces to store two per clarinet. In case one gets dropped and chips on the job, you have the spare right there. No matter WHAT clarinet.

Alexi

US Army Japan Band

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: Chelle 
Date:   2008-01-10 18:43

For me, playing in a pit orchestra pretty much justifies most of my instruments. We have very limited space for the orchestra, so the more instruments I can cover, the fewer people we have to squeeze in. Plus, I just have a thing for vintage/antique instruments.

My Selmer CL300 (basic plastic student instrument) was my first clarinet. For being a student instrument, it plays fairly well. I may sell it one of these days, but it has a bit of sentimental value since I've had it for 20 years, so maybe not.

My Conn 524 silver clarinet was bought just mainly because it's kind of a novelty, but since I've recently found out that it's actually a professional jazz instrument (unlike the lamp that my clarinet instructor called it. lol), I'll probably play it more once I repad it (doing West Side Story this spring so it might fit in fairly well with that music).

My B-series Evette-Schaffer Crampton Buffet was actually given to me for free last year so who am I to turn down a free step-up clarinet? It's going to replace my Selmer as my primary clarinet.

My circa 1967 Noblet Bass clarinet is actually what I consider to be my primary instrument. I started playing bass clarinet in high school (school's instrument) and once I graduated and started college, I bought my own and I absolutely love this instrument. It's not a professional level instrument and it has it's little quirks, but it has a beautiful tone and I'll never sell it.

My Amati Classic Deluxe sax was just bought specifically for pit orchestra. It's been 10 years since I picked up a sax, so I have a couple weeks to relearn it before we start West Side Story rehearsals.

I also wouldn't mind buying an alto clarinet (I see parts pop up occasionally in my community band) and a flute (never played before, but it would be another nice doubling instrument for pit orchestra).

-Chelle

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 Re: A players epiphany - why collect more horns?
Author: claritoot26 
Date:   2008-01-10 19:28

Hmmm. I guess I am limited by space, finances, and practice time to warrant buying so many instruments. I just have one each of Bb, A, Eb clarinets and one alto sax. Next purchase will likely be a low-C bass, and that's plenty to keep me busy for awhile! Mouthpieces and reeds on the other hand are a little bit different story. But I am starting to get a handle on those collections too, getting rid of junk. The Oprah episode called "Inside the Lives of Compulsive Hoarders" was an eye-opener.

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