 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jeepgal98
Date: 2016-09-11 07:27
My daughter wants to learn to play the clarinet (she will be taking lessons in school starting this week). I just got back my old student clarinet from a relative (in a buffet case, so I assume it is one?) I have no idea what model it is (plastic body, metal keys and bell ring; no logo; made in W. Germany with serial #). I played it for 8 years throughout school and it was a great instrument. It needs a complete overhaul (new pads, new cork). Is it worth redoing it all (I'm hoping I can learn to do it myself) or should we just rent for now? I would love for her (and me to relearn) to use it for sentimental reasons.
Thank you!!!!
Post Edited (2016-09-11 07:39)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-09-11 10:02
Attachment: buescher-aristocrat 001.JPG (165k)
This is what I think.
You can buy a brand new Buffet B12 (which is the clarinet you have) for the cost of a full overhaul.
Although you will do better to have your B12 fully overhauled as that will be a much better finished instrument than a brand new one as the repairer will have taken time to do things right rather than the minimum to meet quality control standards.
So I think you're better off having your B12 overhauled as you'll have a much better instrument compared to a new or rental one.
I've overhauled several entry level plastic clarinets for their owners at the full cost of an overhaul which far exceeds the used cost of these clarinets, but the customers understand they will still have their clarinet and it will be a much better one than if they were to buy the same one new or used.
Attached ia a photo of a 1970s Buescher Aristocrat (same as a Bundy) that I overhauled for a customer at the end of last year. It has sentimental value to the owner and he still plays it after all this time.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2016-09-11 13:13
I would council against "doing it yourself" for your first experience - this time. It will be your daughter's clarinet, and I'm sure you want it as close to perfect as can be. You really don't want to frustrate her experience by not having the horn done totally right. If you have interest in repair, get an old hack instrument at a rummage sale, or off e-bay, to tear into and learn.
Have a professional technician overhaul your Buffet. It will probably come back to you in better shape than a brand new clarinet of the same model.
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2016-09-11 14:28
>> You can buy a brand new Buffet B12 (which is the clarinet you have) for the cost of a full overhaul. <<
I'm not sure how much a B12 costs in other countries but even if the clarinet is in pretty lousy condition an overhaul is unlikely to cost as much as a new one (at least local price). With a student level instrument it is often reasonable to save some repair costs by not going to the same accuracy that an overhaul of a pro model would have, which can save more than a little for the overhaul cost too.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2016-09-11 17:36
If she starts this week, you should rent one for now. A full overhaul will take a week as a minimum, possibly much longer (Marching season has started, the shops are full of marching instruments needing work. So I'd suggest renting, and if you want to overhaul your old instrument, get that work done and give it to your daughter after the work is completed. You'll possibly need a new case as well.
I agree with the 'dont do it yourself' comment. It takes much experience to learn to overhaul clarinets, plus you need many different parts in different sizes. Have a professional overhaul your instrument.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: kdk
Date: 2016-09-11 18:46
pewd wrote:
> If she starts this week, you should rent one for now. A full
> overhaul will take a week as a minimum, possibly much longer
> (Marching season has started, the shops are full of marching
> instruments needing work.
I'm not sure a shop that's so busy with marching band instruments is the best place to have your work done. Most of that marching band (and rental) work, in my experience, is done in this area (I live and work in the Philadelphia suburbs) by the big music stores who run the rental programs for the schools. The repair people who work in those large shops tend to be a little anonymous and the work quality unpredictable, though I know specific techs in those shops who are very good to whom I would give critical work with no worries. Probably safer, though, to go to a well-reputed repair tech who runs his own shop.
That said, a rental (if you're talking about a school lease-to-own program) is for months. You might just leave the clarinet with a repairman who will get it back to you within a few days, then talk to the teacher and let him or her know what you're doing.
>
> I agree with the 'dont do it yourself' comment. It takes much
> experience to learn to overhaul clarinets, plus you need many
> different parts in different sizes. Have a professional
> overhaul your instrument.
>
Absolutely agreed. If you want to learn repair, buy cheap, out-of-condition instruments wherever you find them and use them for repair practice. Your daughter needs the clarinet to be in the best condition possible so it isn't in her way.
Karl
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Author: jeepgal98
Date: 2016-09-11 18:55
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! This helps tremendously! Most of the repair places around are bigger stores that do rentals as well. :( I'll have to look around but I don't even know who would be a good person to take it to.
I'm in NJ if anyone knows someone around that I can go to!
Thank you so very much!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-09-11 19:23
Attachment: b&h_edgware.jpg (35k)
I don't know how far synthetic pads have evolved since the late 1990s, but Buffet B10 clarinets used Valentino Greenback pads. Seemed like a perfect solution for a robust, low maintenance and all weather clarinet.
Until they were put in the hands of young players and problems soon began to arise.
The main problem is the synthetic pads became very sticky and stuck to the plastic toneholes on the clarinets. The only cure was to repad them as cleaning them didn't cure the problem.
I have since read that Yamaha have fairly recently been using Valentino pads on their plastic clarinets (YCL-255).
Whenever I repad a clarinet I tend to use cork pads as standard and leather pads for the largest pad cups. Sometimes I use more leather pads and cork pads for the low lying toneholes which are the ones prone to collecting condensation. Once I know more of how well the new breed of synthetic pads are performing, I may go on to use them too.
But in any case, paying out the cost of a full overhaul done to a high standard will ensure you have a very reliable clarinet and that will make life easier for your daughter while she's learning as a poorly repadded clarinet with leaks and regulation problems will only cause more frustration and disappointment to her if she's struggling.
A few years ago I overhauled a 1983 machined plastic bodied B&H Edgware for the owner's daughter so she could start playing. I got a message from the parents saying how much easier the clarinet was to play since being rebuilt. See attachment.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2016-09-11 19:25)
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2016-09-11 19:48
Check out Napbirt.org to find a repair tech in your area. Don't do it yourself. An overhaul on a plastic Buffet should be less expensive than a new one. Unless bugs got into the case and had a field day, or it smells musty, it may not need a complete overhaul.
Steve Ocone
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Author: jeepgal98
Date: 2016-09-11 20:03
Thank you! I found someone and I'm going to meet with him tomorrow. Thank you!
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