 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ben Shaffer
Date: 2015-10-03 23:15
Quick question..
I've got my eye on a Buffett E 11 made in Germany.
I spent about 15 minutes playing it and it sounds and plays very nice.
The problem, if it is a problem is a hairline crack that runs the length of the Bell. Many might not even see the hairline crack.
No other cracks in this Clarinet are evident.
I wonder if over a period of time playing this Clarinet, would the crack likely open up to the size of the Grand canyon, or might it just stay like the hairline crack it currently is?
The seller dropped the price $50 after the offending crack was brought to their attention.
At $550 its not a great deal, but also not a bad one for a nice sounding Instrument which otherwise is in very good shape.
So buy it and do nothing, buy it and have it pinned , or just walk away from this Instrument?
Ben Shaffer
GSO,NC
Post Edited (2015-10-03 23:16)
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2015-10-03 23:43
Way back in undergrad, I was carrying my clarinet (already assembled) to a lesson, and the bottom half fell off onto a vinyl tiled floor. It's my R13, and I had a panicked moment. The main result was a hairline crack in the bell. I never had it pinned. It never affected the sound or intonation.
Now (about 27 years later) I've lived in Minnesota since 1991 and despite the cold, dry winters, the "crack" is rarely even noticeable. At first, it was only apparent when running fingers along the inside of the bell. I think in the past 5-10 years when I have repeated "feeling" for it both in the more humid summers and during the drying winters, I have only felt it once, and even then I wasn't completely sure.
Were I you, I'd ask the seller to drop yet another $50 down and then I'd buy it. Part of this also depends on the climate where you are. In NC, you're probably more humid more of the time than I am here. Also, how big is the crack now? Is it visible and "feelable"??
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2015-10-03 23:45
Bell is too thin to effectively pin but glueing should fix it OK.
Crack in bell is almost never caused by moisture but usually by mechanical problem e.g. dropping it.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-10-04 02:07
If it's a ringless bell, then the crack can be glued and then a slot can be cut all around the bell rim and a carbon fibre band fitted (and filled in to hide it) to prevent the bell from splitting again.
Ringless bells are weaker than ones fitted with a bell ring and the chances are if repaired just by glueing, the crack can reopen if you use a stand that exerts pressure from the inside. So a carbon fibre band will add the additional strength that a metal bell ring would offer if fitted.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-10-04 17:31
Not if you've got the experience of dealing with it.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2015-10-05 09:34
I would check if they are willing to lower the price by another $50, then maybe compromise somewhere in the middle.
You can put some tape inside over the crack and test, see if you notice any difference.
Especailly (but not only) if the bell has both a top and bottom ring, it could be fine by doing nothing.
It's not clear if the crack is all the way to the inside or just from the outside. If the latter I would probably suggest to not do anything. If the former consider gluing it.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-10-05 11:44
If the crack isn't too big it may vanish altogether as the wood rehydrates.
Tony F.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-10-05 15:28
If the bell is ringless, the wood isn't supported and the crack can reopen or the crack can spread right up to the socket.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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