 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Porteiro
Date: 2010-10-02 16:05
Attachment: broken_clarinet.jpg (82k)
This clarinet (Selmer series 9) has been in storage for over 10 years. Within days of bringing it out, my niece grabbed it while my back was turned and broken it.
>.<
Attached is a photograph showing the broken part. There's a piece of wood simply missing from the fingerhole.
Is this something that can be repaired? What is the prognosis for my clarinet?
Post Edited (2010-10-02 16:07)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-10-02 16:08
Yeah - a new chimney can be grafted on (which will be expensive) or the existing one can be built up with superglue and wood dust (which is more affordable).
I had a CT with a broken chimney which I built up with superglue and wood dust and it was fine - and this kind of repair will be permanent (subject to it getting broken accidentally).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2010-10-02 16:50
I had a similar problem with my CT (R3 finger hole). I built up the missing piece with epoxy containing black pigment. I then used the accessories from my Dremel tool (no motor) to carefully shape it to match the rest of the chimney. It worked just fine. It is possible that the epoxy might not grab the wood as well as superglue but, if it ever comes loose, I will have an exactly fitted piece to put in with superglue.
It was that way when I got it and I expect it was the result of someone carelessly using a screwdriver on the lower screw in the post just below it after removing the rings. On the other hand, that was its only significant problem and I was able to get it at a heck of a price. Great horn.
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Author: Porteiro
Date: 2010-10-02 16:54
When they put in a new chimney, what material is used, and approximately how expensive is it?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-10-02 23:51
The old chimney will be drilled out and a new one fitted (either in wood or ebonite), then it has to be profiled with a special cutter that shapes the sides, base and height at the same time (although the height can be altered with another cutter if it is too high). The tonehole may also have to be tapered by hand if the original one was. I've no idea of the expense, though at a guess somewhere between $100-200 depending on who does it.
Your best option is to have it built up (superglue and wood dust - the universal filler for clarinets and oboes!) as that will be the most instant and cost effective method which is less invasive to the clarinet. My CT had the RH3 chimney broken like that, but it was easy enough to put right with filler.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2010-10-03 00:10
For reference, I recently purchased a used clarinet that has nearly the same exact problem. The chip in the chimney is a little more "V" shaped than yours, however causes a huge leak when playing. I contacted a company (can't remember who, but one recommended by a sponsor of the BBoard who sells festivals) and was told that rebuilding a chipped chimney should be about 35 bucks. Of course that was sight unseen, but from what Chris describes (mixing some glue/resin with grenedilla powder, letting it cure, then sanding it to the correct dimensions I guess) doesn't seem like it's invasive and really that tough for a technician.
So I would have high hopes that your clarinet will play once more.
Alexi
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2010-10-03 00:26
Chris: I think CTs have a problem there because the screw next door is so close and so low. Too many people attacking carelessly with the wrong screwdriver.
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2010-10-03 00:37
Porteiro: It may just be the lighting, but that instrument looks quite different on the pivot rod between the Bb ring and the pad above it as compared my series 9. The angle also makes the left hand low E lever look like it has quite a bit more bend in the end. It's amazing how a photograph can make two of the same thing look so different.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-10-03 02:45
On CTs the RH3 chimney is very thin what with the large diameter of the tonehole, so any mishap with a screwdriver or similar will chip the chimney. This CT (which I deeply regret selling as I was the 2nd owner and it was pretty much original) had a 'repair' done to the chimney, but it was just a dab of varnish on the broken edge that didn't do anything to help.
For some time I rebuilt it with shellac which lasted several years but made a more permanent repair with superglue and wood dust just before selling it on. I had someone very eager to buy this CT who begded me to sell it to him for a long while and I eventually gave in. Sadly he passed away several few years after he bought it and I've no idea where this CT ended up - and I fear the worst that the barrel (the original 67mm) may have been shortened by whoever it went to.
Back to the original topic, Porteiro - if you managed to find all (or most of) the bits of wood that came off the chimney, they can always be glued back on and any small holes filled. If not, it can still be repaired by anyone with the aptitude for this sort of thing - it's almost like dentistry in having a chipped tooth rebuilt.
Looking at the photo I think this is probably an earlier Series 9 going by the bend on the underside of the E/B lever tip - the later ones had smooth undersides without the tip bent like that.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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