 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jesse
Date: 2008-05-06 01:28
I know that Venus is a "questionable quality" model, but I cannot afford any non-questionable models at the moment...
Anyway I received a Venus E-flat soprano (it says CL303S if that helps) and I am having problems with pitch. All notes from the lowest E to clarion C# are a half-step sharp. For example I play a scale from middle C to clarion C, and it sounds like an e major scale instead of e-flat major. However the notes from clarion D up are in tune and play as normal, rather well in fact.
Does anyone have an idea as to what the problem is with this? Is there anything I should try before going to a technician?
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-05-06 03:47
The fault could very well be with the clarinet itself, but if you are using the mouthpiece which came with the instrument. you might start by experimenting with a higher quality Eb mouthpiece ...GBK
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Author: Victoria
Date: 2008-09-29 10:19
I know this thread is quite old, but I purchased a Venus (Bb) not so long ago and have had nothing but problems with it. It sounds fine, when it makes a sound!
The lower register (from lower B down to F/E) is playing as 'upper register' notes, unless I slide down the scale into the lower register in which case it will actually play. The upper register I have no problem playing, sounds fine.
Quite a large number of notes suddenly stopped playing recently, after fixing the Ab key this was fine. Still I have no lower register and I can't find the problem myself.
Now, middle F down to C just won't make a noise at all, apart from "pffffffffffff" and it takes a lot of puff to get that much out! A and Ab keys are playing fine though.
I suspect a crack, which I'll check for later. I refuse to pay to have this clarinet repaired, it's just not worth it. I don't know if Venus clarinets tend to be problematic in general or if it's just this one, but I definitely won't buy a Venus again.
V
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-09-29 12:08
Clarinet purchasing Rule #23 -
Never buy a clarinet named after a bird or a planet.
Clarinet purchasing Rule #24 -
Never buy a clarinet made in one of the primary or secondary colors.
Clarinet purchasing Rule #25 -
Never buy a clarinet whose name reveals an ominous anagram:
clarinet by Bestler = Lyric treble? Absent
Venus clarinet = cavern utensil
...GBK
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-09-29 15:21
Hello Victoria,
GBK and Don see this problem all to frequently, whereas this is a first time issue for you.
The fact of the matter is that the you could spend a considerable amount of money to have this instrument fixed (if the repair technician will even work on it) and still have an extremely sub-par instrument with which you will fight every time you play it.
You have to make a decision about how much money you have to sink into something that may not be worth it in the end. The problem you described initially is/was clearly a leak in the upper joint, and although you've had it repaired it sounds as if you have another one.
If you've already had the A and Ab keys repaired, you need to check the RH trill keys, as well as the bis key and the bridge key alignment.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Victoria
Date: 2008-09-29 18:09
GBKs post is quite amusing :D
Cheers James. It is indeed a fight everytime I play it. I'm not going to have it repaired, it's a good for nothing pile of plastic and metal!
It seems these problems are common with the Venus clarinets. When I buy my next one, I'll be more careful...
V
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Author: mrn
Date: 2008-09-29 19:23
GBK wrote:
<<Never buy a clarinet whose name reveals an ominous anagram:
clarinet by Bestler = Lyric treble? Absent
Venus clarinet = cavern utensil>>
Oh no!!
Buffet clarinet = frantic elf tube (or worse, "afflict be tuner" ... so now not only is your tuning bad, but you sound like a pirate ... must be where the "arr-13" comes from)
Selmer clarinet = menace, re: trills
Vandoren mouthpiece = um....a pinched overtone
Vandoren reeds = or never sanded
On the other hand, Leblancs with those Backun bells sound promising:
Leblanc clarinet = clarinet bell can!
Post Edited (2008-09-29 20:16)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-09-29 20:11
Selmer clarinet = near relic melts
Buffet Greenline clarinet = unfitting reference label
Morre reeds = reorders 'em
Vandoren reeds = sand veneer rod
Rico reeds = cries "redo"
...GBK
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2008-09-29 20:57
Well said, James T, while we can have great fun with anagrams and "might have beens", we should try to help Jesse with a ? possibly Solveable? situation. I've had a couple of instances to try to make "poorly-made" cls into [short term] acceptables. To me, its somewhat of our "duty", PM thots, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-09-29 21:16
Don,
...a short term solution with a lasting effect would be to ditch the Venus and get something off the classifieds or from clarinuts.
Sure, one could always try, question is whether two or four hours spent with that specimen are well spent.
--
Ben
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-09-29 21:29
" we should try to help Jesse with a ? possibly Solveable? situation "
[ For those that haven't noticed, the original question was from May 2008 ]
...GBK
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-09-29 22:36
Hello Don!
I think that we all agree that the best solution for the Venus would be to either:
1. Turn it into a lamp.
2. Melt it down into a fragrant paperweight.
3. Plant it and pray for an M'pingo tree.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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