 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2016-05-08 20:48
For those who play Yamaha clarinets, who do you really trust your instrument to for repairs? I'm in New England and would be interested in repair techs in that region (Boston/New York/etc..)
Thanks,
Matt
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2016-05-09 02:41
You know, I grew up in Chicago (Bill Brannen country) and assumed that any city of decent size would have at least one of not two incredible woodwind repair people to choose from. As I moved around the country I found out how rare really good techs actually are.
These days, Bill Brannen only will repair Buffets (and I think it may even be more specifically R13s). I have run into a wonderful repair person in the Nashville area, Jason Onks of Onks Woodwind Specialists. I would trust him with anything and he'd do a great job.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2016-05-09 03:07
What is unique about Yamaha clarinets that requires Yamaha specialist repairers?
I have worked on just about every make imaginable, mass produced and handmade, and when it comes down to it a clarinet is a clarinet. If you can fix a Buffet or Leblanc then any other make should present no specific problems.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2016-05-09 04:47
I totally agree Norman, but there are some techs that don't want to stock too many different size pads, springs, stuff, and therefore refuse to do some brands (as discussed above).
On the other side of the coin, I met a guy just outside Miami who LOVES repair work and does everything imaginable. He not only has his own lathe (more uncommon these days than you'd think), but he also does silver soldering. Word got out about this and a fellow with a very expensive antique car enlisted him to do the grillwork.
But repair people who can "afford" to love their profession are fewer and farther between these days in addition to the whole "competency" thing.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: TomS
Date: 2016-05-09 06:44
We have a really good shop in North Little Rock (actually Sherwood) area (you can look them up) ... and they fix mostly everything, but prefer Buffets, partly because the availability of parts and usually they aren't fighting bad design or mechanical workmanship that is frustrating to maintain . They see a lot of B12s, E11s and R13s ... (a lot of R13s around here) ... and a good amount of Yamaha, old Selmer intermediates and Vitos. Would be fine with your Yamaha, but I don't think they'd do esoteric tweaks such as undercutting and bore reaming ... Was just in there a couple of days ago and they are staying very busy and doing well ...
Tom
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Author: gwie
Date: 2016-05-09 10:34
I send my Yamaha clarinets to Wolfgang Lohff. He does a great job, and my CSG's play awesome.
My students mainly have R-13's these days, and we've sent instruments off for overhauls and have had good experiences with John Butler Woodwinds as well as
Kessler and Sons.
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2016-05-09 21:58
Ed:
I will probably be contacting Albert Alphin as he does come highly recommended from others as well. He's within an easy drive so I don't need to deal with shipping and the concerns that arise from that.
Thanks to all for the comments.
Matt
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Author: JamesOrlandoGarcia
Date: 2016-05-10 01:08
Scott Winkler in Sheyboygan is arguably the the most current sought after clarinet specialist in the Midwest. Many many professionals in Chicago make the trek up to Wisconsin to have him work on their horns. I believe the majority of people mail their clarinets to him. His repair rates are about half of what I'd gladly pay for his quality of work.
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