The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Monster clarinet set up

Author: Tony F
Date: 2019-02-25 17:09

A few years ago I was asked to have a look at a pair of Leblanc LL's that had been the personal instruments of a professional player that I had known for many years and who had long been a close friend. I had always admired his playing and the wonderful sound that he got from them. He'd had some minor surgery that prevented him from playing for a couple of weeks, which provided the opportunity to sort out some issues with them.
I knew that he wasn't a believer in maintenance, so I expected them to need some work. To my amazement I found them to be almost unplayable. They leaked everywhere, the joints were held together by plumbers tape and the keywork was way out of adjustment. He must have been compensating for their condition for probably years.
I pulled them down, did what was necessary and at the end had a pair of clarinets that were as good as any that I have come across. They felt good under the fingers, they played and tuned beautifully and they looked as good as I could make them. When I gave them back I felt a bit smug and quite pleased with what I'd achieved. He said that they were ruined, and that they felt lifeless and out of tune.
He did continue to play them and still produced the same wonderful sounds, but he never really came round to believing that they were better after my ministrations than before. He passed on a few years later and they went into the box with him.

Tony F.

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics