 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: LC007
Date: 2017-10-19 01:05
Attachment: DSC_0207.JPG (818k)
I was examining the bore of my clarinet and can't tell if this is a crack starting or just shoddy tone hole undercut. There is also some pitting to the right of the tone hole. The hole in question is the last one on the top joint (third finger C note) . Many other holes are rough inside the bore - like as if the tool was dull and it chipped a bit here and there . Should I be concerned? This is a brand new instrument.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-10-19 17:47
Looks like the grain has been ripped when the D/A tonehole was drilled or uncdercut. It's not uncommon, neither is the pitting you see as wood is often full of imperfections that are only evident once cutting or reaming has been done.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: LC007
Date: 2017-10-20 03:37
Thanks Chris. The trial period ends this week and I am just covering all my bases in case I should return it to the store. I don't feel like driving back to the store just to have the clerk tell me "there all like that" or "that's normal". So I thought I would ask here. But I will definitely check the bores on other clarinets next time I'm there.
The horn plays and sounds fine and I like it, but the inside of the bore is a mess. And this defect does look like a crack "starting". It also looks like you say: a splinter of wood that went off during the drilling. I was just under the impression the bore would be "cleaner". Well, it is a student grade instrument and it didn't cost all that much.
Cheers.
Luc
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-10-20 03:57
Is it an E12?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: shmuelyosef
Date: 2017-10-20 04:20
It is a smaller bore deviation than the toneholes themselves. I assume that you are talking about the little spike-shaped shadow coming from the tonehole nearest the end of the joint.
If you want a perfectly smooth bore, you will need to get a polymer clarinet, or find a really old one that is exceedingly well-preserved and has been oiled regularly for most of that time.
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Author: LC007
Date: 2017-10-20 04:51
Attachment: DSC_0208.JPG (643k)
Chris: It's a Selmer "USA" CL201.
Here is another pic... a little clearer I hope.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-10-20 07:02
I see - their build quality has never been particularly great. I think they also use kiln dried grenadilla instead of naturally seasoned grenadilla (kiln drying is a much faster way of reducing the moisture content of wood, but not always the best way), so the dryness of the wood can cause it not to machine as well as wood with more moisture content.
I noticed when I've been cutting toneholes and reaming bores in summer when humidity levels are high, grenadilla feels very soft and almost waxy compared to winter when it's dry and powdery what with low humidity levels.
I've seen so many wooden oboes made by them with warped joints and the bores on their wooden clarinets aren't the smoothest which is why their plastic bodied instruments are better in that respect as they're moulded to leave a perfectly smooth bore and also don't warp like wood.
But I've seen wooden Yamaha, Buffet, Leblanc and Selmer Paris clarinets with fairly rough looking bores too, so it's something that can happen to any maker.
Reaming the bore can tear out defects in the timber leaving rough patches or voids - this can happen on high end instruments as well what with wood being a natural, massively variable and live substance.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2017-10-20 08:06
It probably doesn't matter at all and another one without it won't necessarily play better, less likely to crack, or anything like that. However it is a manufacturing defect. Maybe let the store know and see what they say. If it would bother you like a tiny voice in your head maybe better to replace it.
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