Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2019-10-27 19:09
Elifix wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Recently I'm in a dilemma over if if should I go for either
>
> (a) full restoration of the r13 pair which includes
> - repad
> - new key /post plating (going for gold-mixed alloy); which
> includes change of all springs
> - bore restoration
How much of the $6K cost is the plating? I ask because it's a major difference between what you're asking about and what I've ever had done. To be honest, I'm a little shocked at what you've been quoted. Simply overhauling the mechanical parts of the instruments - springs, pads and corks, cleaning the wood, refinishing all pad seats - in short restoring the working parts to spec - shouldn't *in my experience* cost nearly $3,000 per instrument. That seems astronomical. As to "bore restoration," be careful what you wish for. Restoring any aberrations may improve the way the instrument plays, or it may not, depending on a lot of factors. But if the basic tone and intonation of the used instruments are good, tinkering with the bore will change one or the other, perhaps in ways you might regret.
>
> Being so old, there are key rattles, reduced responsiveness
> from the touch, peeling of plating, thinned out rods etc and
> even a upper-joint crack on the Bb.
>
All of that can be repaired by a good repair tech. The plating could be buffed down to eliminate peeling edges. That issue depends on how adamant you are about wanting the plating to begin with. There was a time (within my lifetime) when some considered plating to be detrimental.
> The repairs that I have been quoted would cost at most with
> shipping (*with good options that can last me a long-time)
> probably I estimate it at USD$6000.
>
> A price difference of USD$1000 frankly speaking, isn't that
> much on this level.
>
Well, if the $6,000 is realistically necessary to get the result you want, and if you can find a pair of clarinets you can be equally happy with, then, no, the $1,000 difference isn't much.
> What would you do if you encounter this issue?
I would talk to another repairer or two. (I'm still playing on Bb and A clarinets made in 1972 and 19082 respectively. I have had them periodically overhauled and have no complaints.)
Karl
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