 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Musicmom123
Date: 2014-02-06 21:31
Bought a used R13 two years ago. Serial 527xxx. It has been excellent.
It has developed two bad cracks on the upper joint. Two local estimates suggest range of 8 - 12 pins, but recommend replacing the upper joint with a replacement from Buffet. Prob $600. I would be much more inclined to go this route if Buffet still warrantied their products for 5 years, but I hear that as of Jan 1, 2014 they offer a 2 year warranty. Really???
Even on the brand new clarinets. Seems they are driving more people to the resale market.
Not happy about having to break it in like a brand new one because of the new joint.
In your experience, will the clarinet play like the original?
Non-musical mother of musical children
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GaryH
Date: 2014-02-06 17:00
If your clarinet was made within the last 5 years it should be warrantied. The new warranty should cover instruments made after that date. Contact the dealer you bought your clarinet from and let them research it for you.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Musicmom123
Date: 2014-02-06 17:28
I believe it was made in about 2002. I used to know but Buffet has removed the serial number tracker from their site, and I don't recall exactly. We bought it via auction from an individual that used it in college but was no longer playing.
I don't think a warranty will apply.
We may bring it to TMEA to the Buffet booth for an assessment. May also take it to Loeff & Pfeiffer while at TMEA, because it has some really, really, really expensive pads on it that were done in Nov 2013. (Did I say really?) Grumble.
Anyone replaced a non-warrantied upper joint and been happy with it?
Non-musical mother of musical children
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-02-06 18:02
Whereabouts are the cracks on it and how extensive are they?
While it may not be a clarinet but is still a wooden instrument, my oboe teacher's oboe top joint split down both sides (Minnesota winters aren't exactly kind to woodwinds) from top to bottom and was pinned. That was back in 1974-75 and it's still perfectly playable to this day and the cracks haven't opened up.
You also have the option of having it carbon fibre banded and it is possible to get a band around the middle of the top joint between the LH1 chimney and the E tonehole as well as bands positioned above the throat A tonehole and the speaker tube to keep it all held tight.
If it's still playable as it is and you like how it plays, then consider having the top joint repaired instead of a new one which will have to be played in and also may or may not crack like your existing one.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: pewd
Date: 2014-02-06 23:43
for something closer to home, try Karlsson Woodwinds in Carrollton.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2014-02-07 02:07
I'd be very leery of an 8 to 10 pin job since that much drilling might cause additional problems. Besides.......super glue seems to be more common these days.
Bob Draznik
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Musicmom123
Date: 2014-02-07 01:39
Thanks, Karlsson is one of the two estimates I have gotten, so at least I am on the right track.
Non-musical mother of musical children
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
