 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DrWWind
Date: 2013-04-17 05:57
Hi,
I was wondering if I could get some opinions on my clarinet.
I just started playing the clarinet and I recently purchased a new yamaha ycl-650 from an online retailer. I like the sound but as I said I'm a beginner and do not currently have a teacher I can ask for advice.
I've been looking it over really well and I have noticed that they are 4-5 knots in the wood on the lower joint and one in the bell and what looks like a small surface crack at the top of the upper joint on the back. Also small cracks or deep grain inside the tenon of the lower joint. Should I worry that they will get larger?
I was wondering if anyone else has one of these or another comparable yamaha or buffet clarinet that could give me some opinions about the wood quality of these intermediate clarinets.
Is this common on this level of clarinet and do knots negatively affect the sound?Should I worry that the cracks or grain will get larger over time? Should I send it back? I'll try to post some pictures if i can. Thanks for any feedback! Ethan
Post Edited (2013-04-18 00:31)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-04-17 10:04
Most makers reserve the best wood for their pro level clarinets, so wood that has more twisty grain or knots usually gets used for student level instruments. It won't have any impact on the tone and as long as it has been aged properly, you shouldn't have any problems with it cracking. As wood is a natural substance, it varies a lot.
What appear to be surface cracks are most likely open vessels which have been exposed during turning and are normal. Companies like Buffet stain or lacquer their joints to make them look uniform so you can't see these natural features so well.
With Yamaha's strict quality control, they wouldn't have let this one leave the factory if it wasn't up to standard.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: snilsson
Date: 2013-04-17 10:20
I wouldn't worry at all about the knots. The surface crack shouldn't be much of a problem either. If the clarinet is good, keep it. A crack can develop in any wood instrument and I'm sure Yamaha will fix (probably replace) your instrument if that should happen. As always, you should make sure not to leave the instrument wet and, on really cold days, wait for instrument to reach room temperature before playing.
I actually bought a new YCL-650 only a few days ago and I couldn't be happier. I had an emergency; the day before a concert both of my Bb-clarinets broke in a way that couldn't be quickly fixed. I went to a local music shop and the first instrument I tried was a YCL-650, since I've heard that Yamaha clarinets are supposed to be of very even quality. The intonation was spot on for three octaves, including the more exotic fingerings, the resistance was very even, and the keywork was perfectly setup. I borrowed the instrument and played a Mahler symphony on it the next day with no worries what so ever. I bought the clarinet and in many ways I prefer it to my two other instruments, even the one that is a "professional" model and costs four times as much.
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2013-04-17 13:28
I can't give a diagnosis without seeing the instrument up close. You could have a crack in the upper joint, or it could be deep grain. I'll disagree with my esteemed colleagues here; I think the wood on this clarinet (knots, etc.) may be more susceptible to cracking. I'm not 100% sure about this, I've fixed cracks in lots of clarinets without knots.
Steve Ocone
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2013-04-17 14:22
I agree with most of the thoughts above. Only your first photo concerns me.
I would take off the register key and see whether that grain/crack descends into the wall of the register key cup. If it is a crack you will most likely see it make the 90 degree turn down towards the plane in which the pad rests, and possibly another turn onto to plane.
A crack is most certainly not the end of the world, but it does need to be taken care of immediately.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Joe Bloke
Date: 2013-04-17 14:27
"Should I send it back for a refund?"
Yes. Reason being, the fissure (or vessel) inside the tenon. Over an extended time, moisture and temperature change could cause this to run deeper and longer.
If you really like this particular horn and want to keep it; get it to Yamaha or a local tech ASAP. They should be able to seal both fissures with epoxy (or something similar). The knots I wouldn't worry about.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-04-17 15:31
Have a reputable tech to have a look over it before doing anything hasty.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: DrWWind
Date: 2013-04-17 18:25
Thank you everyone for your advice. I'm trying to decide if I should return it.
It doesnt look like the crack extends into the wall of the key, but the small cracks or grain inside the tenon are worrying also. Oh well I guess I should just be happy with it and practice. Thanks again, Ethan
Post Edited (2013-04-18 00:37)
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