 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: RAL
Date: 2015-06-20 18:15
While I was in the already described shopping spree, I tried to get a clarinet but was outbid by far. It was a really nice looking Leblanc Symphonie 3, with a Selmer HS** and a Vandoren B46, a cream color case with an outer protective cover, small leblanc pouches for every part...
The winning bid wend over US$ 520, which almost doubled what I was willing to pay.
Suddenly, it reappeared. I asked the seller why, he said te buyer got cold feet (price too high?).
Well, this time I got it... Which I do not know if it is is a good or bad thing...
I paid around US$ 280 including shipping, which as per what I have seen and considering the mouthpieces, should not be that bad.
Opinions on the clarinet/price/etc? I am a grown up, so I am ready to read if I made a mistake...
Post Edited (2015-07-14 02:06)
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-06-20 19:18
I'd say you got a fair price, particularly when considering the goodies that came with it.
Tony F.
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Author: gkern
Date: 2015-06-21 07:08
RAL, I was after that one the first time also. Already in trouble for buying a LeBlanc 176 a couple of weeks ago. Love it, the Symphonie 3 probably nicer, you got a great deal in my opinion.
Gary K
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Author: RAL
Date: 2015-07-14 00:47
Got it now...
It is a BEAUTIFUL and well cared insrtument. New corks and pads, new corks for the two mouthpieces, both with flawless facings.
The box has an outer cover, so the cream-colored box itself is in really good shape. Gotta love the heavy full wood/no polystirene interior...
It was sold by a big pawnshop in Arizona, which is a bit sad, pretty sure this is not the end the original owner had in mind for the clarinet...
I have a couple of issues to sort out, though.
The barrel had, as per what was posted by the seller, loose rings. I can pull them off if I want to, but they do not fall off by themselves.
Also, the bell bottom ring is loose. Again, it does not fall by itself now.
My theory is that the clarinet dried up in Arizona, and after some days in Miami and a couple of days here is has started hydrating?
What should I do? Wait a little more? Should I glue the decorative bell ring? what type of glue?
Post Edited (2015-07-17 17:41)
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-07-14 05:27
If it came from Arizona it's probably bone dry. Give it a few weeks to stabilize and it will probably be OK. Wouldn't hurt to oil the bore when its stabilized, but not until then.
Tony F.
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Author: RAL
Date: 2015-08-09 15:41
At the end I put a thin rolling paper shim in the barrell - which initially gave a slightly tighter fit to the rings, and 3M regular office-style transfer tape to the bell ring, mainly to avoid vibration. Transfer tape is clean and not messy at all to put in and to wipe off the excess. It is also very flexible and compressible, so I thought would put less stress in the wood if/when is swells and expands with humidity.
Now clearly humidity is doing its job, and all rings are really firm, including the bell flare.
Another thing I did is to use good quality fruit scented teabags (I used blackcurrant Twinings tea) to get rid of a slight moldy smell (emphasis on slight) the clarinet had. I thought that if the Vandoren cork grease is apple-scented, fruit smell would be OK. And it worked like a charm. Now the clarinet has a subtle very nice berry smell instead of mold...
...and it plays beautifully! It is becoming my primary clarinet now.
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