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new clarinet tuning issue

Author: M123
Date: 2017-08-18 21:25

Hi guys,
I'm new to the forum here but need some qualified input on my daughters clarinet. My daughter took an interest in the clarinet during her schools compulsory introduction to band. She seemed committed enough that I decided to buy her a better instrument than what the school would issue and not knowing anything about woodwinds got online and did quite a bit of research online and chose to purchase a Ridenour 576 Bb on ebay from them that was advertised as gently used and was informed it was traded in for a newer instrument. I avoided the new price but it was still a significant number. Ordered a Ridenour Encore mouthpiece for it and figured I wouldn't have to look back. Signed her up for lessons this summer and on maybe her seventh lesson the instructor told her that she had been playing flat and checks it with a tuner sees a flat "open G" and said she may need to get another instrument. They tried a different mouthpiece with some improvement but still flat. That's the short version of what my daughter told me. I wasn't there so can't fully convey what transpired there. So I took it to the tech at the local music store this morning and had her check it out to see if there was a quick fix. She played it with a tester and she said and I could see some of the notes were flat and some were sharp by the needle going way left or right. She informed me the market was flooded with cheap Chinese instruments that could never fully be adjusted and that she didn't recognize the brand, pointed to the models for sale on the wall, etc...I don't fault her for not knowing the brand but that gets my attention. She said something about the position of the holes and maybe shimming and bending the keys but wasn't encouraging about the result and didn't push the service. Now I'm under the impression that I have a bigger problem than trying a new barrel or mouthpiece. Part of the reason I went with the brand was because a lot of the reviews (some on this forum) claimed the brand was good at being in tune but now I have two people who I believe are competent saying there is a tuning issue. I haven't checked in with the instructor which is something I intend to do. Not trying to dog on the maker but thought I was buying in at a point that would avoid major tuning issues. I haven't contacted the maker yet, but wanted to see what opinions may come from your collective knowledge before I throw good money after bad. Is this likely a correctable issue-enough to warrant a trip to the factory.
Thanks in advance.

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