The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: darby
Date: 2001-04-27 23:26
I just got an older model Leblanc model 1176. It plays wonderfully, but was cracked in the upper joint at one time. The method of repair is what I'm curious about. It appears to have been "coated" or "shrink wrapped" from just below the register hole to the top. It darker than the rest of the wood. Do any of you know about this method of repairing cracks? Is it an old fashioned method? It doesn't affect the tone or anything, but I was wondering if whatever it is can be removed, the wood restored and whatever crack there is pinned? The cracking does not appear to have gone through to the bore and honestly I can't tell where it was cracked. Thank you.
Darby
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-04-28 06:23
Darby, you say,
...'and honestly I can't tell where it was cracked' .
Maybe it wasn't.... :
- ron b -
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-04-28 11:57
Sounds like to me that a graft was performed. Is there a "line" around the circumference of the clarinet where the colors meet? This is a common way to replace broken tenons. I'm just surprised they would take the graft that far down on the clarinet. No way to change it if this is what has been done.
John
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Author: darby
Date: 2001-04-28 21:11
Yes John....there is a line around the circumference of the horn, so it must be a graft. Now, what do you mean by a graft ? Two pieces joined together ? If that's so, then wouldn't the horn be weakened? Thank you. Darby
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-04-28 22:50
Darby,
It is not a complicated process, but one which is labor intensive. Precise measurement is of upmost importance, ie. measure twice...cut once. I presume that the tenon was broken beyond the point of repair. The upper joint was put on a lathe and turned down to form a tenon of quite a long length in your case. Most repairers find another "junker" instrument that has the proper part in which to make a mate. In your case another 1176 upper joint. It was cut and bored to mate to the existing piece, ie, necessary to form the sleeve over the "tenon" part on the original piece. This piece also has it's original tenon still attached. Think of it at a "veneer", ie. an outer sleeve over your original upper joint. The two pieces are epoxied together. The repair is quite strong and should never cause you a problem.
When this process is done on the lower joint it usually involves redrilling a tone hole or two.
John
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