 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2009-09-22 23:45
I am a clarinetist and retired high school science department (that's right -- it was a small school) in California where our governor is siphoning off money mandated for the schools and applying it to other purposes. I am also a relatively competent clarinet repairman (though only a threat to a repair shop that specializes in clarinets). Our music programs are clearly at risk. That is on top of the usual problem of students giving up in frustration because they are unable to obtain a decent instrument that allows them to play more easily.
Having seen the positive impact that a music program can have for the entire curriculum, I decided to try to help out the schools in my area (I play in a community band with many high school band directors). I have been buying older, intermediate quality clarinets off that auction site and fixing them up to make them available through schools to students who need them at little or no cost. For the most part, it has been pretty straight forward -- cleaning, polishing, oiling, straightening bent keys, repairing chips and cracks, replacing springs (I can make my own as needed), replacing cork, and replacing pads ("may need some pads" means they are VERY tattered).
My most recent project, however, has presented a problem. It arrived with several missing pivot screws. Except that they are a straight taper, they match the heads and threads of the ones on my Selmer Centered Tone (and I suppose, my other Selmers). The nearest competent repair shop is well over an hour's drive from here and then there is the problem of talking them into selling me the parts rather than having them doing the work. That sort of defeats the little or no initial cost idea. Hopefully, that would create more future business for them by creating more clarinetists, but how many look at things that way?
I contacted a wholesaler I found on line (even offered him a resale number) and explained the situation. He explained to me that there is nothing he can do to help, suggested that I take the instruments to a repair shop to have them fixed, and that the real problem is to fix the state budget so that schools can receive appropriate funding. He had no ideas for the students going through school while that budget fix is being accomplished.
If I can avoid it (again, minimizing cost), I would rather not have to buy a large number of junk clarinets just to have the occasional odd part that may be needed. Does anyone have any suggestions where I might be able to obtain the occasional pivot screw and/or maybe pivot rod stock without having to spend a fortune on gas or become a full fledged business? Can this be done or am I looking at futility?
Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2009-09-23 01:11
Thanks, David. I have done so. Thank you for reading all that!
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