 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: pzh97
Date: 2011-08-22 09:18
HELLO EVERYONE!
I have a question:How long is the life of a new wooden clarinet?Is that old clarinet better than brand new clarinet?
THANKS!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-08-22 09:34
It depends on the quality, how long the wood has been seasoned for and how well it is cared for and maintained by the owner.
A top quality wooden clarinet should last a lifetime.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2011-08-22 10:09)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-08-22 13:30
Current-production clarinets seem (to me) to be made of lower-quality and less well seasoned wood than clarinets were 50 or 100 years ago. I have many soprano and bass clarinets that are between 60 and 100 years old, whose wood is in very good condition and which play great. They will definitely outlive me by a long time. As for modern clarinets which seem to crack the minute they leave the factory -- who knows?
But then again, I'm not 'the late great Harold Wright', I'm just an average player, so my opinion counts for nothing.
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2011-08-22 13:38
Highly variable, a function of use and maintenance, and care.
richard smith
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2011-08-22 14:24
My favourite clarinet is a French instrument of excellent quality which dates back to 1895. The wood is surprisingly dense and is showing no signs of age. The keywork still shines up well and appears to be German silver. There is no looseness in the keywork. The mouthpiece is modern and I've no idea how many times it's been repadded.
Tony F.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-08-22 19:01
It does depend on how you care for it and the climate it's kept in. My bass clarinet that I use on the job is 47 years old and going strong, my A clarinet is about 50 years and my Bb clarinet, which I have replaced but still use now and then is about 45 years old, and my Eb about 52 all in excellent condition. As long as the bores don't change, that has a lot to do with climate and care, it doesn't crack too much if at all, a good piece of wood can last a heck of a long time. Some clarinet get "played out" because of constant swabbing or changes in the bore or just over use but others take a much longer time if at all. I've known professionals that change very ofter and I've met others that have used the same clarinet all their career. Take care of your tools and you tools will take care of you. ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2011-08-22 20:22
Ed has said exactly what I think myself however I think there is also quite a lot of psychology involved as well.
I have known of many great UK players of the past who used only one possibly 2 clarinets throughout their entire careers.
The late great oboe player Leon Goosens was still at 90 playing the same Loree oboe given to him at age about 15.
The last time I met the late John Denman he was using a clarinet well over half a century old.
Ray Carpenter, pricipal in Bournmouth Symphony over 30 years, passed his well used 1010s on to his son who is now principal in the LPO (although he is a Buffet man and loaned them to his co-pricipal).
Thea King used Jack Thurstons 1930s 1010s for many years after he died.
etc etc.
However when I was visiting Leblanc in Paris about 25 years ago looking for a new barrel they seemed surprised that I was still playing an instrument that was 25 years old (still playing it now after 50) and indicated that most French players would change their instruments after about 10 years. That's obviously good commercial business for them!!
Clearly when France and UK share similar climates that can't be a cause so a lot must be in the mind.
Generations of players are often heavily influenced by their "professors" who may have been magnificent performers but who's view on matters more "mechanical" were not always above doubt.
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2011-08-22 20:35
Norman,
As far as I'm still aware Nick is still co-principal and Bob is still principal
Peter Cigleris
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2011-08-22 23:34
Yes Peter you have it right. However in recent prom concerts I see Nick was playing first and wondered whether perhaps Bob had retired (he must be getting close now - or do I slander him??)
Norman
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2011-08-23 00:27
I bought my first Buffet in 1972, it still works fine, and treated myself to a new Buffet several years ago.
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Author: prof anton weinberg
Date: 2011-08-23 15:25
a lot will depend upon the amount of bore oiling that you do--there are so many myths about this subject that i instituted 2 years research into the subject with the help of a scientists and chemist. we discovered that oils is not simply oil--there are many kinds--the best are hydrophylic and contain natural liposommes--others are either barrier oils or drying oils which encourage warping and therefore possible cracking. much of the so called authoritative advice given was based on personal anecdotal experience and not scientific fact and was therefore not helpful. the oil that we finally ended up with--a specific 'recipe'-- dropped Yamaha's return rate from 50% to 1%--their figures not mine,.
www.antonweinberg.com
prof. anton weinberg: distinguished teacher: The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, Washington. ARAM:ARCM:LRAM
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Author: DougR
Date: 2011-08-23 22:02
I've always been of the "no such thing as a blown-out clarinet" school, but I listened to the Wright clip too, and part of what he seems to be saying is that repeated air PRESSURE on the inside of the clarinet, several hours a day, basically every day of the year, over many years, causes the bore to distort over time. He was very certain and specific about the ten-year lifespan, too--but I was struck that he thought internal air pressure had such an impact on the dimensions of an instrument. Interesting.
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Author: Clarimeister
Date: 2011-08-24 07:56
Don't some repair technicians actually rebore the blown out clarinets? I know Backun advertises that, but never figured how much that would actually cost, or if it's just more worth it to get a new clarinet...
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Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2011-08-24 11:49
I think it's about 3 years, that's how long it takes Morrie to make what you're playing on now, obsolete!
Tom Puwalski, Author of "The Clarinetist's Guide to Klezmer, and the soon to be released "Klezmer Boot Camp" and a Backun Clarinet Artist ( I will playing on the first Backun clarinet made under strict rabbinical supervision)
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-08-24 18:58
Clarimeister wrote:
> Don't some repair technicians actually rebore the blown out
> clarinets? I know Backun advertises that, but never figured
> how much that would actually cost, or if it's just more worth
> it to get a new clarinet...
There are a few techs who offer a re-bore service. I haven't had it done myself but from what I hear it's not horrifyingly expensive. There was a thread a few months ago where someone mentioned that Backun quoted C$500 for a re-bore a few years ago.
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=344367&t=344359
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2011-08-24 19:16
I have huge admiration and respect for Wright's playing legacy but honestly think his theory on wind pressure on the bore (and it seems nothing more than his theory) is absolute bull****.
I think this is how myths develop when a player of high standing and visibility makes technical/pseudo scientific statements without any supporting evidence.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2011-08-24 20:50
One can't ever be too cautious!
For a modest sum I offer an exclusive service to dispose of blown-out instruments in a technically sound, environmentally friendly and socially sensitive way.
Clarinet BBoard members will, if they have participated in the 2011 donation drive, get a 20% discount.
![[tongue]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie6.gif)
--
Ben
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-08-24 21:57
I'm wondering how air pressure can affect the bore considering it's an open-ended tube and any air pressure isn't going to anything as it has the means to escape. Air is passing through it and not exerting any outward force on the bore, plus the walls are rigid enough not to collapse in on themselves or bulge.
If it's a completely sealed unit and air is forced in under high pressure, then that's a different story.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2011-08-27 19:03
prof. anton weinberg wrote:
>the oil that we finally ended up with--a specific 'recipe'--
>dropped Yamaha's return rate from 50% to 1%--their
>figures not mine,.
....and that recipe is....?
Laurie
Laurie (he/him)
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