 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: PT
Date: 2010-10-12 00:04
I recently just purchased a Leblanc Bliss 210S from WWBW. The order was on back order, so I am pretty sure that means the clarinet never came from wwbw, but it went straight through the manufacturer. When I recieved the clarinet and tried it with the Cadenza mouthpiece that came with it, I was shocked to see that the facing on the mp was so wide that my reed (legere quebec 3.5) did not even cover the facing! I knew the problem was not the reed because I had already been using it with my 5rv lyre. Putting the upper and lower joints together was nearly impossible and I had to use alot of cork grease and alot of muscle just to get them to fit. Playing the clarinet was great for about two weeks, everything was fine until I tried putting the barrel on the upper joint one day and it was nearly impossible. It was so hard I had to shave some of the upper joint cork, and even then it barely fit. A day later i noticed two cracks in the clarinet. One started at the tenon of the upper joint and went down to the second trill key tone hole (cutting right through the first). The other one was much more subtle and goes from inside the bottom of the barrel up to halfway on the outside. Also, when I tried to assemble my clarinet, the rings on the D and E keys on the upper joint are being forced down. I do not think I can return it because I through the mp away, took off the padding on the thumbrest for my ridenour saddle, it has two cracks, and the keys are wierd. Help!
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2010-10-12 00:15
I'd still send it back without the mouthpiece. Good luck. Let us know what happens.
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Author: curiousclarinetist
Date: 2010-10-12 02:36
If all you say is true, that is ridiculous! Call WWBW and tell them about the problems. Even consider calling Backun Musical Services. The clarinet should come with some type of warranty. Cracks and the like are things that should not happen within the first few weeks of owning your instrument, as long as taken care of properly. There is a proper way of breaking in new wooden instruments and if you played them too much right when you got them, you may have caused the cracks and swelling. Call them and see what they can do. I really hope it works out for you.
Curious Clarinetist
http://curiousclarinetist.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Curious-Clarinetist/155848744465821
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Author: donald
Date: 2010-10-12 05:29
I have had students with similar problems with the Bliss clarinets (there's already been at least one thread on these instruments). To be fair, I've also had students experience this with buffet clarinets, but really only one or two over the years, whereas 4 of the 5 Bliss clarinets have experienced swelling joints. None of my students clarinets cracked- send it back straight away, you should get a replacement clarinet.
dn
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Author: JamesOrlandoGarcia
Date: 2010-10-12 21:22
- Most dismiss the mouthpieces come the clarinets they buy in the first place.
- Most have to do some adjusting of the cork on new clarinets. If it was so impossible to get the joints together in the first place then you should have sanded the corks then and there and not be shocked when it wouldn't then come apart. Yes this should have been done at WW or even the factory but it isn't shocking that a clarinet not be ready to play out of the box. Buffet is well known for this. There are people out there like Brannen Woodwinds that overhaul new clarinets to bring them to their highest potential.
- You might be able return it. Who ever ends up with the clarinet will at least get an upper joint replacement from Leblanc.
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Author: PT
Date: 2010-10-12 23:02
Thank you for your comments. My instructor told me to send it back and he also said wwbw and leblanc were reputable companies and that they should handle it the right way. If and when I do return the clarinet I am intent on getting a Ridenour Lyrique, which is the other clarinet my instructor reccomends for his students. I think the reason it cracked was because the barrel and upper joint were forced together (which they shouldn't have to be) and then when I played it, the wood expanded and caused the crack. I just hope they will not say everything is my fault and I will be stuck with a broken clarinet.
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Author: scott kurtzweil
Date: 2010-10-13 13:01
Hello PT -
The problems you have experienced with your new Bliss clarinet are unacceptable and of course will be taken care of under the standard 5 year warranty! Please contact the wwbw via phone and ask to speak with Jim Grondin. They will handle the return and send a replacement. Please feel free to contact us directly if you need any assistance with the return (skurtzweil@conn-selmer.com)
As some of the previous posters have mentioned, all wood clarinets experience some unwanted expansion and contraction. We have been working very hard to eliminate this potential through strict hygrometric controls and prescribed rest times for the wood between cutting processes during manufacture. Unfortunately, as with all organic substances, the wood doesn't always follow the rules.
Please keep us posted. We want to make sure that you receive the follow-up you deserve and get to experience the full potential of what we believe is the world's best clarinet in its price range.
Best -
Scott Kurtzweil
Kurtzweil Musical LLC
www.kurtzweilmusical.com
269-340-9013
scott@kurtzweilmusical.com
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Author: crsbryan
Date: 2010-10-13 14:02
Good for you, Scott.
Thank you for standing up for your product and your customer at the same time.
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Author: PT
Date: 2010-10-13 22:25
Thank you for your post Scott. It means alot to know that people really look out for other players out there!
Thanks, Parker
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Author: scott kurtzweil
Date: 2010-10-14 16:50
Hi Parker -
I just spoke with James @ the wwbw and he is expecting your call. Please let me know if you need any further help from me.
Best.
Scott Kurtzweil
Kurtzweil Musical LLC
www.kurtzweilmusical.com
269-340-9013
scott@kurtzweilmusical.com
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Author: MartyMagnini
Date: 2010-10-14 18:43
Scott,
I am Parker's band director, and I was the one who recommended the Bliss & wwbw. Thanks for stepping up to the plate on this one - I had told him before you responded that wwbw was a reputable company, and would take care of him. The fact that you are willing to respond in this forum in such a positive manner just makes me all the more comfortable in recommending wwbw in the future. My school and students use wwbw all the time, and have never experienced a customer service problem. On the rare occasion when something goes wrong with an order, or something arrives in less than perfect condition, wwbw has always made good on it for me - bravo!
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