 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: escher
Date: 2011-10-18 12:41
Hi folks,
First of all, lets just get this out of the way - I'm an idiot - I did two stupid things.
**First Mistake - I purchased a used MP on ...that site.. listed as a reworked / refaced chedeville blank evette-schaeffer... blah blah blah... That was mistake #1 - jumping into something I knew nothing about.
The tip rail was non existent - like less than .25mm (my best measurement was 0.2 at thinnest and 0.5mm at widest.. It would barely produce any tone at all, just air with a little tone... I get very good tone on my other MP's (just factory buffet MP and a Pyne Polycrystal). This was both using a Mitchell Lurie 2.5 and a Legere 2.5.. yes I played with reed position and two different ligatures (A classic metal version and a Rovner)
** Second mistake (caution - I'm a Mechanical engineer, and we do stupid things like this, its a curse). I decided to try to *fix* it...
Now, I know what your thinking... I didn't put it on a belt sander or anything that crazy... But I did do some research and long story short I worked on the facing a bit... (Yes I used a proper flat surface, Yes I watched videos on refacing, no I don't have the right tools, and yes, I'm an idiot!!)
Tip rail is now about 1mm, but I'm sure I have the length and curvature wrong.
Result - it plays *better* but still quite airy... and I'm sure its because the facing curve is wrong, but I just don't have the tools to investigate further...
So - I'm looking for someone with some refacing skills who wants a project... I'd be willing to put some money into this if it ends up being a good MP in the end... if you think its worthless upon investigation, throw it in the trash... Lesson learned.
Anyone interested in having a go at this?
And - please... try to refrain from telling me how stupid this entire endeavor was... I know... Really I do...
*hangs head in shame
- Chris
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Author: davyd
Date: 2011-10-18 13:15
FWIW, I don't think you're an idiot. There's nothing wrong in the abstract with buying things off The Auction Site, as long as the buyer bewares. Nor is there anything wrong with attempting do-it-yourself repairs on one's own equipment. That's how one learns. The attitude of "failure is not an option" may well be appropriate under some circumstances, but it's not a universal truth.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-10-18 13:46
As long as you haven't destroyed anything vital in the equipment you've been using, the worst you may have done is wasted some cash and maybe some time. And the time you've spent (and maybe the money) has value as a learning opportunity.
You don't say anything about having measured the curve or the tip opening, and it sounds like you don't have the tools to do the measuring. You'd need either to buy the measuring tools - which, if you buy them in one kit can be expensive - or have a mouthpiece finisher/refacer restore a usable facing. Having someone else do it would probably be cheaper.
If you wanted to continue trying to fix the mouthpiece yourself, you'd need at the minimum:
the glass with half-millimeter markings on it (to provide valid comparison to standard measurements) to allow you to make measurements along the curve,
a tip opening gauge (which may be hard to find), which is generally a tapered wand with markings either in hundredths of a mm or thousandths of an inch that you slide down between the glass and the mouthpiece tip to read the opening (I also have a dial gauge with a plunger that's designed to do the same thing, but I don't think it works as reliably),
a set of metal feeler gauges - the kind once used to measure the gap between the distributor points in a car. It helps to use specific standard thicknesses, again to make valid comparisons to the standard values other people have published.
You already have the flat glass and the abrasives can be bought at most hardware stores. With these tools and the instruction videos you've already watched, you may be able to get close enough to a workable facing to get the mouthpiece to play.
However, the best results will still come from someone with experience at this. There are several excellent mouthpiece craftsmen who advertise and sometimes post on this BB. Pick one or two and email them directly, in case
they haven't seen your post here.
Karl
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2011-10-18 15:21
Yeah,
I'm an idjit ME, too; and I've ruined several auction-site mpcs.
When reentering playing, I bought a bunch of mouthpieces, paying in the $0-20 range. I soon quit attempting to reface or flatten tables, though there are some temptations...
Pick a refacer and send him the carcass. It might come back sterling.
There is a yahoo group that discusses/shares refacing and internal design advice and experience. You'll probably want to experiment with baffle design, too. One thing I gleaned from them is that all facing curves are nearly circular arcs. All you need to do is find the radius that gives the opening you want over the length of lay you want and then make this little compass that will drag the 'piece along a sanding block...
Bob Phillips
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2011-10-18 17:34
Somewhere in my stuff is a set of gauges , all in a carrying case, but the name escapes me. Maybe someone can help (if they are still available)
richard smith
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-10-18 18:04
A kit was marketed years ago by Eric Brand. I think the equipment with his name on it is still available, maybe from a place like Feree.
Karl
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Author: escher
Date: 2011-10-18 19:13
Wow - this place is great - I have already had two offers to help. Thanks so much guys!
I will let you know how things proceed in a week or so.
- Chris
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