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 new clarinet with stiff tenon joints
Author: cigleris 
Date:   2009-04-26 17:49

Hello Everyone,

I have a student who is a pround owner of a new Buffet E13. As it's wooden I told him to only play it 30mins maximum a day for about 3/4 weeks.

Recently all the tenons have swollen and become very difficult to put together and take apart. Firstly I put it down to the wood changing in the blowing in process but it has been over a month now at it seems to have gotten worse. What would you guys recommend to cure this? His parents don't want to lose the warranty which they might if, as I've suggested, take it to the repair person.

Any thoughts that I can pass on would be greatly appreciated.

Peter Cigleris

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 Re: new clarinet with stiff tenon joints
Author: Rob Vitale 
Date:   2009-04-26 17:54

Grease the cork and leave the clarinet assembled over night. If that doesn't work, you can take a nail file and carefully sand the cork. Take the bridge key off before doing this as you may strike it.

good luck



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 Re: new clarinet with stiff tenon joints
Author: Ed Palanker 
Date:   2009-04-26 17:54

Well, if you don't do anything it might become a real problem when you can't get it apart or worse crack it trying. It's only going to get worse during the summer with the high humidity. I suggest you take it back where you bought it and have them deal with it, that way if something goes wrong it's their responsibility not yours. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com

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 Re: new clarinet with stiff tenon joints
Author: William 
Date:   2009-04-26 18:16

If cork grease does not help, it is the wood on the tendon that has swollen to the point of binding with the socket. Easily corrected by any competent repairperson by simply reaming out a bit of the lower socket. This was a problem with my new Leblanc Concerto Bb after a few weeks of playing and, according to my favorite tech, not uncommon.

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 Re: new clarinet with stiff tenon joints
Author: cigleris 
Date:   2009-04-26 19:01

Thanks for the replies,

William, I think that is what it is as, I've used cork grease etc. to no effect. I'll suggest they either send it back or get the tech to sort it out. It's one of the better E13 so I'd rather he didn't send it back.

Peter Cigleris

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 Re: new clarinet with stiff tenon joints
Author: tictactux 2017
Date:   2009-04-26 19:39

The repair person is inevitable. I'd have the parents call Buffet and ask how to get it fixed under warranty. Dunno if Buffet have the concept of "authorised repairers", but asking won't hurt.

--
Ben

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 Re: new clarinet with stiff tenon joints
Author: Caroline Smale 
Date:   2009-04-26 19:50

I believe that Buffet in UK use Dawkes Music to handle some of their warranty work, call them to check.
The problem is almost certainly slight warpage of either the tenon or the socket (or both), this is unfortunately all too common with new Buffet wooden instruments, but is fortunately very easy to fix by a COMPETENT repairer.

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 Re: new clarinet with stiff tenon joints
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2009-04-26 19:52

I disagree with Rob's method as leaving the clarinet together will only cause the tenons to bind in the sockets and sanding the cork down won't cure anything - it's not the cork causing the tenons to bind, it's the tenon rings binding against the socket, and this is normal on new clarinets (and also on Greenlines).

The tenon rings will only need a tiny amount skimmed off them to make them fit well, and the fit of the tenon should be tested each time a tiny amount has been shaved off so any high spots can be seen and then removed. It's only a tiny amount of wood that's removed with this operation (like dust) which is done carefully by hand and not on a lathe. If too much wood is removed, the tenon will rock and this can't be completely cured by having a thicker tenon cork fitted much later on - the tenon rings have to fit the socket as best as they can and the cork is there to create an airtight seal and hold the joints together.

Have your pupil take it to whoever they bought it from so their repairer can do the work which will be under guarantee. If they don't have a repairer on premises, they should then recommend one they're affiliated with who shouldn't charge you for doing this work.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

Post Edited (2009-04-26 22:16)

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 Re: new clarinet with stiff tenon joints
Author: cigleris 
Date:   2009-04-26 21:31

Hi Chris,

They bought the clarinet through the school and I believe the school got it from Normans. I've had dealings with Normans in the past and I'm not really a fan. Perhaps it's best for me to call Normans and explain the problem and see what they can do, but like I said this is one of the better E13s that I've seen recently in terms of intonation and I don't want them to force a replacement on them like they did with some other parents that had a problem with an instrument from them.

Thanks everyone for the replies

Peter Cigleris

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 Re: new clarinet with stiff tenon joints
Author: Ryder 
Date:   2009-04-27 01:24

It'll need shop work eventually, so try to explain to the parents that a reputable tech can solve the problem with ease. I would, if it were mine, only open the sockets up enough to avoid serious sticking because it may settle down and contract again. It's hard to put material back!!!!

____________________
Ryder Naymik
San Antonio, Texas
"We pracice the way we want to perform, that way when we perform it's just like we practiced"

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 Re: new clarinet with stiff tenon joints
Author: Mike Clarinet 
Date:   2009-04-27 12:34

I had a similar problem on my RC when I got it, on the middle joint. Dawkes sorted me out, but then I bought it from there and there was no charge. I would contact the original seller first, and if they can't or won't help, contact Dawkes, explaining the situation. If they cannot help you directly, they can probably advise on the best course of action.

I'm not a tech, but it seems to me that leaving the instrument together is highly dangerous.

Disclaimer - no association with Dawkes except as a satisfied customer.

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