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Re: Worth it?

Author: Chris P
Date: 2020-03-15 00:08

I've overhauled many plastic beginner level clarinets to the same standard as I overhaul pro level clarinets and they're infinitely better playing instruments as a result compared to a brand new one that's come straight from the factory. Yes they can always be bought for next to nothing used, but that doesn't mean they're worth nothing as long as they're structurally sound which most are, apart from the usual degradation of consumable and replaceable parts.

The reasons being I use much better quality pads, corks and other materials and deal with all the other issues that were overlooked when it was made, such as key fitting and spring balancing, tonehole work and whatnot. Plus the amount of bench time devoted to overhauling a clarinet is far greater and not restricted compared to a factory finished one put together in relative haste to reach company targets. While plastic clarinets don't require any oiling or need as much tonehole work doing, the rest of the work is just as extensive as it is when overhauling a pro level clarinet as they're pretty much mechanically identical (talking regular 17 key 6 ring Boehm systems here).

It's all about educating people and having them realise what they have is worth it. i even had someone say they didn't think spending however much for an overhaul on their Yamaha 62 piccolo was worth it as it only cost them that to buy used, when a brand new YPC-62 is around the £1200 mark - the cost of an overhaul is a fraction of that and shouldn't be based on what it cost them to buy.

If these instruments are considered worthless, then what would become of them if they don't get restored and put back into good use? They're not single use plastics to be binned off when it's time to upgrade as they have generations worth of playing in them if they're maintained well. If you buy a used car you don't question how much you spend on it to have reliable everyday motoring, so the same should apply to any well made musical instrument.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

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