 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: kthompson
Date: 2013-08-23 14:48
I hope you don't mind my posting here.
I know nothing of clarinets.
However my son wanted one for band class at school. I found one yesterday.
Was hoping someone can tell me if it is OK for him?
Has a scrolly looking emblem that says VITO on all the pieces, in two places it has number 020715, with 7214 below it.
Does it require tuning like a piano?
How can I safely sanitize the mouthpiece?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-08-23 15:15
A used Vito is an excellent and robust clarinet, ideal for school use.
Clarinets don't need tuning as such as they're already built to a specific and fixed pitch, but they will require servicing to make sure they're well regulated and the pads all seat properly or replaced if faulty. The mechanism is the most important part of a clarinet and like all machines and mecnanisms, they do require servicing to be sure everything is working fine.
As for the mouthpiece, wash it on cold to lukewarm water with washing up liquid, then dry it with a paper towel but don't rub the table (the flat surface where the reed goes). If there's a lot of calcium build-up in the mouthpiece, soak it in a glass of vinegar, then wash and rinse it in cold/lukewarm water.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: pewd
Date: 2013-08-23 15:44
You should check with the school band director.
Many band directors have specific equipment requirements for beginning students.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: kthompson
Date: 2013-08-23 15:57
Attachment: rps2.jpg (22k)
Attachment: rps1.jpg (52k)
Tried adding pics..but keep getting error.
Thanks for the advice.
How much would I be looking at to have it serviced?
Any idea as to what it would have cost if I had purchased it?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Katrina
Date: 2013-08-23 16:25
Getting a used plastic clarinet serviced can run anywhere from $50 to $200 depending on exactly what might need to be fixed. This could include pads (the white things on the ends of the keys), corks (where the pieces join together and also the "bumpers" where the ends of keys touch each other or the body of the clarinet), cleaning (if necessary) and adjustment of the keys so that the pads can cover their holes without leaking.
I can't find any sites at the moment which sell new Vito 7214 but last I recall (6-8 years ago?) they were between $400 and $600.
One side note to the excellent mouthpiece cleaning notes above: do as much as possible to NOT get the cork on the end wet! Sometimes the adhesive which holds the cork on can dissolve.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: MSK
Date: 2013-08-23 16:25
Where I live, a compete overhaul of a student quality plastic clarinet is $115 (higher-end wood clarinets are much more). This includes completely removing all the metal parts, cleaning everything, reassembling it, straightening mildly bent keys, and replacing all the pads. They also offer "playing condition" servicing which is done "a la carte" say to replace a few bad pads or a single bent key. Pretty quickly you can a run up a bill where the complete overhaul is the better deal. Especially since old but intact pads may start deteriorating one at a time as the year goes on. Whatever you choose, make sure the instrument is in good playing condition - otherwise it will be very frustrating for your beginner. If you got this instrument for free, you made out really well even with paying for an overhaul.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: kthompson
Date: 2013-08-23 16:38
Thanks again for all the info.
Really freaky about finding it.
Son started band class yesterday, came home and told me he wanted to play the clarinet...we could either buy one or rent from the school.
My husband came home from work 2 hours later with this. (We work for banks/mortgage companies cleaning out/repairing/maintaining foreclosed homes). He had found it in the closet of a home they were cleaning out.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Roxann
Date: 2013-08-23 16:47
With kids, I'd suggest renting for the first year until they decide they want to continue playing the instrument. Usually, serving is included in the rental deal. Oftentimes you can also do a rent-to-own program so you own the instrument at the end of the year.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2013-08-23 17:44
Since you already have the clarinet, ask the band director to recommend a decent repair shp in the area. Have the technician look it over and estimate what it will cost to get it into shape. It should be (ballpark) less than $150, assuming there is no grievous damage to it.
Also ask the director about the mouthpiece that came with it, and whether the pie ce is good enough. If not, there are g4reat student-grade mouthpieces for <$40, including the Clark W Fobes Debut Mouthpiece. It is currently on sale at wwbw.com for about $30 with free shipping. Get the essential maintenance gear, too. Cork grease, silk swab, etc. You will also need reeds, and something to hold them when they are not being played. If you don't have one, you will also need a ligature (the cloth or metal piece that holds the reed onto the mouthpiece.
The Vit0 7214 was a good quality, student/beginner clarinet.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
