 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Aaron
Date: 2000-10-27 22:35
I have a Buffet R-113 that is about 4 years old now. It needs some adjustments and just basically some overlooking by a professional, I can only do so much myself. Pads and corks are fine that's not the issue. I'm just wondering if a horn of this age is somewhat due for a "tune up" of sorts? I am a clarinet major in college so the horn gets played alot. It just dosen't seem to have the response that it used to, expically in the throat register. I am in the Kansas City region, but would be willing to send it to someone who is very good at what they do. I would appreciate all information, and opinoins about getting a horn overhauled at this age.
Thanks, Aaron Diestel
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Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2000-10-28 02:24
I noticed that the performance of my horn had fallen off quite a bit, and I discovered that the tones holes were accumulating material. I removed the keys and cleaned out the tone holes and reassembled the horn and it played like new! The upper joint seems to collect more stuff than the lower one. If you don't have any leaks or low pads, just a general dropoff in response, tone and intonation, check for accumulations.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-10-28 18:50
Why dont you contact John Butler, "Right Here in River City" [meaning sneezy] , he'll do it well Don
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-10-28 19:25
If you can take off your register key, it fairly easy to run a pipe cleaner through. This is an obvious place for buildup. While I can't speak for what has occurred, if anything (it's also possible that changes could be attributable to changes in setup, embouchure, etc.), I would say that buildup in tone holes DOES occur.
One of the things we can *ALL* do: is to make sure that we don't play our clarinets after eating foods or drinking fluids, without first thoroughly crushing our teeth and/or washing/rinsing our mouths out properly. I think we are probably ALL GUILTY to some extent. Who's perfect? So, we all need to watch out for the "Clarinet Police" ! (harmless apparitions <sp.> that continually tell us "I told you so!")
Anyway, sounds like a mini-tuneup might be in order. Pads & corks are OK, but regulation and checking those tone holes out should be done sooner than every 4 years, expecially considering how much you probably play/practice your instrument.
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Author: Aaron
Date: 2000-10-29 05:56
I definately DONT play my horn directly after eating. I'm usually the one teling others that that is definately a not good things to do. Expically after drinking a coke or pepsi, the acids eat away at the mouthpiece and the wood, not a good thing. Expically for brass players.
It is not my embouchure, or any mouthpiece/reed problem. I have the best setup i have ever had, as far as mouthpiece, ligeature, and reeds go. (Greg Smith 1*, V12 # 4 strength, luyben or bonade lig). It's just certain notes that are having problems.I do also clean my horn about innce a year. I take it completely apart and buff all keys with a paper towel, and wipe out the tone holes with a dry Q-tip, maybe a little water if needed. But I do feel that a little requlation is needed, i just wanted to know if anyone came highly reccomended.
Aaron
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Author: Jodi
Date: 2000-10-29 17:24
I just recently had my clarinet overhauled by the Brannens in Illinois. It'slike having a brand new instrumnet!! It's pricey- $475 for the overhaul and shipping, but well worth it. I have had my R13 for about 4 years and it was in need of adjustments and repadding (the stain from the clarinet got on the pads and destroyed them)
I know it's a lot of money, but they are fast, friendly and excellent.
The tone on my instrument is ten times better than it was and it plays like a dream.
Best of luck,
Jodi
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Author: Lorie
Date: 2000-10-29 19:03
Bill Street at the University of Southern Maine (Gorham) and Phil Muncy and Rod Berry at Muncy Woodwinds in Boone NC are both excellent.
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Author: Gordon (New Zealand)
Date: 2000-10-30 11:32
Perhaps it's worth sending them to me in New Zealand. NZ$475 would be the most I have ever charged for an excellent complete overhaul, and that would have been a badly abused or worn instrument.
This converts to US190 at present!
Gordon Palmer
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Author: Lelia
Date: 2000-10-30 14:59
Lots of little things can need fixing on a constantly-used clarinet, even if you've taken excellent care of it, the tone holes are clean and the corks and pads are fine. For instance, bumper corks on the keys can gradually wear down and make the keys open to a slightly wrong height. It's amazing what a big intonation or tone-quality foul-up you can get from such a thin slip of cork! It's insidious, too, because unless the cork glue dries out so that the cork falls right off (causing clicking noises and a sudden, *major* intonation whoopsie), that gradual wear on the corks degrades the playing so slowly and subtly that I get used to the sound and don't notice for a long time how bad it's getting. Screws can slowly work themselves loose, too, especially the one on top of the front A where it crosses the A-flat (LH index finger). Too tight is as bad as too loose on that one -- for me, it's a difficult adjustment. Once there are quite a few little things wrong up and down the instrument, it's hard to disgnose exactly what to do, and that's where the professional repair technician earns every dime, IMHO!
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-10-31 03:14
Aaron, my comments were not directed to you personally re: food/drink habits. Rather, it is incumbent upon us all to "touch the bases" with our responses here so that we don't mislead others.
After hearing your FULL story, I think you would best be served by taking your clarinet to a superior technician who can *WATCH* your fingers and listen to the horn. Others you might think of are Tim Clark in Ohio, Jimmy Yan in NYC, Tom Ridenhour in Denton, TX, Wichita Band, John Butler in Houston ... there are many great techs. We are all fortunate.
Good luck.
mw
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