Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-11-28 20:19
A basic 'make it play' check-up will only cover so much as that will be the minimum amount of work to get it working. If it needs far more doing than a few tweaks here and there, then that could end up becoming a service.
A service will address more issues such as cleaning the toneholes out and replacing all the things needing replaced plus oiling the bore, but if it needs more than half of all the pads replacing as well as all the key corks and several springs replacing, then the cost will mount up and it may as well have a full overhaul.
Prices are variable from place to place and also from one repairer to another, so I can't begin to tell you the cost involved.
As far as any work goes, a check-up or check,oil,adjust (COA as it can be called) is the least expensive as only a few keys will be removed and the minimum work is done just to get things playable.
A service is more involved and therefore more expensive as it includes having all the keys removed, all the screws and key barrels cleaned, the keys polished, the joints, toneholes, sockets and bore cleaned and the bore oiled, the speaker tube cleaned out and depending on who's doing the work, either all or just the worn/damaged key corks and felts replaced and replacing any tired or damaged pads.
A full overhaul is the most expensive of the lot as it's a complete strip down and rebuild replacing all the consumables and doing absolutely everything to have an instrument that's better than when it was new (besides some cosmetics). Maybe replacing all the springs as well if they're not great - B&H 2-20 clarinets of this era had either phosphor bronze or beryllium copper springs which break easily and also have the annoying habit of breaking flush with the pillars, then the added hassle of removing the remainder as it's as soft as copper so the risk of flaring the broken end when using a spring punch is high, making their removal a pain. But once all the work is done, you should end up with a clarinet that plays better than new but without having to play it in as you would with a brand new one.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
The Clarinet BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
