 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: POPPY BOY
Date: 2001-04-19 17:48
I purchased a new R13 about one week ago by mail order. I just noticed a small crack in the barrel, it is only a hair line but runs the full length outside of the barrel. It is also very difficult to disassemble. I apply cork grease every time I assemble the clarinet, it goes together with no problem, but once the joints are seated they are very difficult to get apart. Should I return this instrument for a replacement or is this typical.
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Author: Linda
Date: 2001-04-19 18:43
I would replace it, too expensive to keep a defected horn!! The crack can and will effect your tone...if you do keep it, have some of the cork shaved down by a professional...I did that with mine..
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Author: connie
Date: 2001-04-19 20:01
FWIW, my new Buffet was also very hard to assemble and disassemble. But it wasn't the cork, it was the wood. A knowledgeable repair person can ream that down enough so that it doesn't stick. This will vary with humidity factors, so it's probably a good idea to let the horn acclimatize some before tinkering too much.
So after you return this, if the next one also sticks, that's something you could consider.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-04-19 21:47
Unless the new instrument is exceptional, you should return it for exchange.
Tightness in the joints that is not fixed by cork grease is, as connie says, caused by wood binding on wood, almost always the tip of the tenon against the bottom of the socket. This is extremely dangerous and can result in cracking of the tenon. You need to have it fixed immediately, and without assembling the instrument again.
This must always be fixed by reaming out the socket, and *never* by filing down the tenon, even though this is much easier. If you file the tenon, no other socket will ever fit it.
New Buffet clarinets imported in the regular channels have Platinum Service certificates, which also guarantee perfect condition. If the instrument is truly fine, and you want to have *this* instrument and no other, you should get in touch with Francois Kloc, who is the Buffet employee in charge of the Platinum Service program in the U.S. He's very knowledgeable and very concerned to have every customer satisfied. He works out of Chicago, and his e-mail address is Francois.Kloc@boosey.com .
Good luck.
Ken Shaw
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Author: David Kinder
Date: 2001-04-20 05:35
Definitely replace the instrument. Then if you have the problem again, have a professional repair person work with it.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-04-20 13:28
Swelling tenons on brand new, tope line instruments is very common indeed in the last decade or so. For example here in NZ at least half the Selmer Paris instruments have the problem. I believe it is because the world has run out of the best quality, stable timber from old trees, and lower quality timber is frequently used. The only other explanations I can think of is finer tolerances in these joints at manufacture, or the clarinet made in a factory environment with an overdose of climate control.
My experience differs from Ken's. If the timber jams immediately when assembly is attempted then the problem is the END of the tenon. For me this is not so common. I find the timber more often jams for the last few millimetres of assembly (or the beginning of disassembly), indicating that the timber at the other end of the cork is binding.
I also disagree with Ken's treatment. Ken says "If you file the tenon, no other socket will ever fit it" My response is:
a). If you file the tenon then it COULD be a slightly loose fit in SOME other socketS.
b). If you remove material fronm the socket then it COULD be a slightly loose fit with SOME other tenons (so what's the difference???)
c). It is extremely unlikely that one will ever WANT another socket to fit.
d). In any case it is far easier to correct an tenon made undersize (a regular, routine operation) than it is to correct an socket made oversize (a very unusual operation indeed).
I prefer to solve the problem by removing material from the tenon (a quick, simple operation) , even though I have equipment for doing both equally easily.
I consider that no timber should bind, and that the socket should for the centre tenon shouyld be no more than 0.1 mm larger in diameter than the tenon, otherwise wobble can occur. The other tenons are less fussy re wobbles.
The mouthpiece tenon & socket are a special case because they are, for almost all manufacturers, a standard size. If this joint jams I adjust whichever part does not conform to the standard. It would be a real shame to adjust the socket and then find that all other mouthpieces were loose in this enlarged socket.
I cannot see how a jamming tenon can split.... it is under compressive forces. What IS subject to forces which could cause splitting is the socket, but that is highly unlikely to split because of the metal reinforcing ring which is there to prevent splitting from the end.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-04-20 13:33
I agree that a split barrel should be replaced. Although the split MAY have been caused by its joints being tight that is a separate issue from any other tight joint, for which at least one adjustment is a frequent requirement for new instruments, depending on climate.
If tenons nade from currently available timber are so subject to swelling I consider that manufacturers should be installing metal tenon caps on all tenons.
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-04-20 16:08
Boosey & Hawkes _was_ located in Libertyville, IL, not too far from Chicago, IL. From what I have been told & heard, they are in the process of completing their move to California. (e.g. don't think that Parts Dep't. is running at full speed yet)
I would think that Francois Kloc is also going to be making the move, too. However, to be sure, check with him.
A week old clarinet should not have a cracked barrel ... period ... end of tape. There are many possible causes. I have no doubt it will be (happily) replaced. First step, would be contacting the merchant who sold the instrumnet to you.
Is this R-13 being broken in properly? [Sorry, so much narrative above, I couldn't read through all. Forgive me, if this has already been suggested.]
Best,
mw
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Author: Benny
Date: 2001-04-21 01:21
When I bought my R13 (mail order) the top tenon ring was very loose on the stock barrel so I switched it with another clarinet that they sent. That one used to come off but doesn't anymore (probably because of the weather) but I don't worry about it because I use a Moennig. If you like the horn and don't want to return it, get a special barrel or just switch barrels with another horn.
Benny
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Author: Erin
Date: 2001-04-21 04:13
I would contact the merchant. If they're reputable, they would either replace the horn or just the barrel. Many stores have a guarantee, ie when my top joint cracked 7 months after I bought the clarinet, the store pinned it for free.
How are you breaking in the instrument? An article by Moennig reccomends playing it for intervals of only a few minutes to allow the wood to adjust.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-04-21 07:25
My understanding is that Buffet's instructions are quite different.
I think the most likely cause of a cracked barrel is assembling the tenons when the climate is so dry that the rings are loose. After all, the purpose of the rings is to stop the timber of the sockets from being forced apart and split by the tensions exerted by the tenon cork (and the timber if it jams). If the ring is loose it cannot serve this purpose.
However I think that any instructions should include something like: If the clarinet is operated in an environment sufficiently dry for the tenon socket rings to become loose it is the owner's responsibility to get adjustments made by a competent technician - under guarantee - before assembling the instrument in this condition. Buffet cannot otherwise be held responsible for splits that may be caused"
Without such a warning I would think that replacement should be immediate and without question.
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