The Clarinet BBoard

Repair/refurbish of LeBlanc Noblet advice

Author: Geoff Cashman  Date:   2000-10-27 18:02 Greetings, I have a 1969 LeBlance Noblet. Yes, I know it's not the best clarinet in the world, but it's a good one. My situation is that I essentially put this clarinet into mothballs about 10 years ago. I have periodically taken it out, and put more bore oil on it...about once every few years. When I first did this, I removed all the keys off the instrument, cleaned it extensively, and put bore oil on everywhere I could that didn't have cork or metal. Problem is, when I was putting it back together I came up short a screw. Argh! I know I have a few screws less, but geeze! Ok, another problem is that the cork/wood connecting the two middles pieces has a significant nick in the wood. The nick extends from the end of the piece to the cork on the outside diameter, and half that distance on the inside diameter. Those are the main problems, though the screw is a minor issue I guess. The pads needs to be replaced as do the springs, though the pads are in worse need than the springs. The instrument has been in my family since it was brand new, and has been mine since 1974. It is a cherished item. I have played dozens of concerts with this instrument, experienced a great amount of my life with it, and have many fond memories. I refuse to part with the instrument, and want only the best for it. I am lucky enough to live in a town (Bloomington, Indiana) that has a very strong university music department. However, I am still out in the cold as to who to take this instrument to for repairs. I do NOT want some hack or doesn't really know what they are doing working on it. The nick correction is most significant...it has to be done right. I don't know who the great repair people are in this area. I am willing to ship the instrument if I have to, but prefer not to. Can anyone tell me of a very good clarinet repair person in Indiana, or recommend a repair person that it is worth shipping this instrument (not from the cost of shipping, but the risk) to? Thank you very much for any advice you can give. I'd like to bring this instrument out of mothballs and start playing again, and these repairs stand in the way. -Geoff Cashman Bloomington, IN cashman@kiva.net

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