 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: johnniegoldfish
Date: 2008-06-01 14:04
Hi,
I;m new here. I just purchased a brand new buffet r13 w/ nickel keys/wood. As I have been away from playing for a longtime I did not know what to expect.
From day one the mid joint sticks severelyand I was advised by Ellis Music/Vermont to ad more cork grease and now after two weeks they want to put it on a lathe. They said it was fine when they recd it in the winter. VT is moist to say the least. Should I be accepting this or should it arrive from Buffet in perfect ready to play condition?
Thanks for any help
Johnnie
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: skygardener
Date: 2008-06-01 14:25
A lathe is the best, most accurate way to do this job, IF they know how to use the machine properly. Most people would just use sand paper and do it by hand, but a lathe is essentially a better technique.
Post Edited (2008-06-01 14:25)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2008-06-01 15:03
Given what Ellis Music is saying, their repair tech has probably determined that the joints are sticking because the wood has expanded and is now binding (rather than the cork being a little too thick). Assuming the repair tech is a good one, having him/her take a very little wood off using the lathe is the correct way to resolve the problem. So should you accept their opinion? IMO, yes. But should we be able to expect that a professional clarinet from a reputed maker will arrive in perfect ready-to-play condition (as long as our definition of "ready-to-play" is relatively mainstream)? Considering their cost, also, IMO, yes -- at least in an ideal world. But we aren't in an ideal world and the problem you are describing is one that has been reported too often on this board. Indeed the music store may have arrived at its conclusion so quickly because they've seen it before in recent history, perhaps more than once. It may have to do with the wood Buffet is using for the R13 these days or the way it is aged/cured. But, for whatever reason, recent R13s appear to be susceptible to binding joints, perhaps due to changes in moisture as you are describing.
Best regards,
jnk
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: johnniegoldfish
Date: 2008-06-01 18:22
Thanks to Jack and Sky,
This eases my trepidation as Ellis has been around for a longtime and is very reputable and supplies instruments to the entire state for kids at very reasonable prices and rent-to-buy deals.
Thanks for your assisitance.
Johnnie
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-06-01 18:33
Refitting the tenon on a lathe will true up the shape from slightly oval to round, though it should be done carefully so not too much wood is taken off which will make the joint wobble - only a tiny amount of wood is removed to make it fit. So the joint has to be taken off and checked each time some wood is removed to be sure it's a good fit, and refitted and more taken off if it's still tight, then checked again until it's right. Not a job that should be rushed - patience is important here.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-06-02 00:51
This is normal. Just ask them to be very careful not to over do it. ESP
www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ABerry
Date: 2008-06-02 03:48
Hi Johnnie,
I lived in Vermont for 15 years, graduated from Johnson State in 1978.
I bought my first Buffet R13 in the fall of my 2nd year at Johnson.
Ellis is probably correct, when they received the clarinet in the winter it was fine, the humidity was close to 0% and now, in the late spring the humidity is probably getting close to 70% or more, so the wood is going to swell. I am not familiar with Ellis music, I dealt mainly with Peterson’s Music in Burlington for minor things, but for major repairs I took my clarinets to Rayburn Music in Boston. They did great work.
If it were me, I would have Rayburn's take a look at it before putting it on a lathe. Taking even a little too much off can mean a wobbly joint.
Hope this helps,
Allan
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2008-06-02 16:19
This is a no big deal thing. Except to you, of course. I understand your frustration completely, but it is not a serious matter. This is quite normal and they have explained it to you as it is. Sometimes an instrument will need a bit of "tweeking" once it gets to its final destination. Climate changes will often cause a change in a pad, etc. The wood is also making changes and adapting to the weather.
Let them fix it. They might just change out the cork and it will be fine.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: johnniegoldfish
Date: 2008-06-02 18:37
Thanks to everyone, all is sound (lol) advice. The R13 goes under the knife tomorrow. Ellis musid felt it was not the cork as the barrels connect fairly smooth until the last bit where it is already past the cork. The instrument itself is sweet to play even with the standard mouthpiece and it is hard to put down.
Thanks again to all and Enjoy!
Johnnie
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: A.F.Danny.Q
Date: 2008-06-02 20:06
You could do it by yourself.
But I prefer to use a sandpaper rather than a lathe.![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
Post Edited (2008-06-02 20:07)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2008-06-02 21:13
Well, using sandpaper with the joint mounted on a lathe is probably what they will do. Mounting the joint in a lathe is more simply stated than done and if this firm's reputation is trusted one would assume it's "old hat" for them as they probably would have all the fixturing necessary.
Bob Draznik
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ryder
Date: 2008-06-03 00:08
I had the same problem, not as bad, but the joint is quite tight.
1st- does the wood on the tenon bind in the tenon joint, or the cork?
If i were you I'd use some 400 or 600 grit sandpaper and sand the cork a little at a time. If it is the wood that is binding, then i'd take it to a good tech if your not comfortable removing wood. I'd be afraid because you can't put back what you took off.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed
Date: 2008-06-03 00:24
Common problem. Don't worry about it. Have it done and enjoy the clarinet.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: johnniegoldfish
Date: 2008-06-04 13:41
thanks to everyone for your support.
Ellis Music in Royalton, Vermont dis a fine job and very fast. The R13 is firm but no longer sticks.
Enjoy!
Johnnie
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
