 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: str1pes
Date: 2020-03-26 05:58
I have a chance to buy a very good condition completely cleaned/oiled and overhauled used Selmer CL601(w/case) with a brand new fobes debut mouthpiece for $150. This would be for my 13 year old daughter to join marching band this year. It would be her first clarinet. Would this be worth grabbing?
Thanks in advance!
Post Edited (2020-03-26 06:14)
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2020-03-26 08:04
I'd buy it at that price. It's very fair. It would be a good instrument for the intended purpose.
Tony F.
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Author: str1pes
Date: 2020-03-26 16:43
Thanks. I just wanted to make sure I was buying something that wouldn't impede or her learning and make her have to work harder than other students to get same basic results.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2020-03-27 08:18
If you can, check if it holds suction.
I'd be somewhat sceptical about "complete overhaul " claim since it would cost more than the clarinet itself to do a complete comprehensive overhaul.
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Author: str1pes
Date: 2020-03-27 18:35
I guess I shouldn't have said complete overhaul. Here is what was done.
"I have fully taken apart the clarinet to clean the body and keys and to also inspect the pads and corks. When put back together, all key shafts were oiled. The clarinet has been check with a leak light and has been play tested. It is ready to be played."
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Author: m1964
Date: 2020-03-28 06:38
Ah- that is not an overhaul. As long as it holds air pressure and suction, and they keys move properly it should be playable.
Everyone has different standards- a bandmate was playing a clarinet with a piece of rubber under the left banana key, the whole upper joint was leaking so slightly from almost every pad.
Yet, she was able to play. It was able to play it too but with so much resistance.
I repadded the upper joint and replaced both tenon corks- the clarinet became a pleasure to play because you did not have to fight the resistance anymore.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2020-03-28 07:24
m1964,
You seem to be assuming a worst-case situation here. While I agree that the work described is not a complete overhaul it could certainly be described as ensuring that the instrument is in playing condition. It's pretty much what I would do with an instrument where a full overhaul was not needed. Corks would have been replaced and leaks dealt with as required. Does it come with any sort of warranty?
Tony F.
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Author: str1pes
Date: 2020-03-28 08:25
I went ahead and purchased it. Seller had over 2000+ sales on ebay and 100% positive feedback with a 30 day free return policy.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2020-03-28 08:40
Tony F wrote:
" m1964,
You seem to be assuming a worst-case situation here. While I agree that the work described is not a complete overhaul it could certainly be described as ensuring that the instrument is in playing condition. It's pretty much what I would do with an instrument where a full overhaul was not needed. Corks would have been replaced and leaks dealt with as required."
Tony F,
Unfortunately, my experience buying two used clarinets off the "action site" was negative: both clarinets were mis-represented, one possibly unintentionally and one definitely intentionally.
I hope that the clarinet the OP is looking at, is as described, although the description of the "repair" does not mention any pad replacement.
I am not familiar with light testing clarinets. I know it's done on saxes and flutes. I think that even if no light is visible from outside, the clarinet still may leak- this is my own opinion, from my experience.
As we all know, an instrument in good playing condition will encourage the student's and one that is not will discourage them ...so I tried to help the OP as much as I could.
Of course, there are many more things to check when buying a clarinet but an entry level instrument has to be at least leak-free to be playable, IMHO.
I would also check the intonation, tone evenness, keys for excessive play, etc.
*** I recently bought a "project" Evette I thought needed a repad and a couple of springs. It also needs at least one tone hole chip repair...even if I repad it, it would still leak some. But the pads would be new, and keys oiled...
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2020-03-28 09:13
m1964,
I absolutely agree with you, no criticism intended. I've bought probably over a hundred clarinets via that site and I've learned to keep my hopes high and my expectations lower. Most of the instruments I've bought have been as advertised, a few well exceeded my expectations and a few were complete dogs. Mostly I can pick up enough about the state of the instrument from the pics but they don't always tell the whole story. There are some sellers that I will buy from with complete confidence, but they're in the minority.
Leak lights are good for a quick check but I far prefer to use mylar shims.
Tony F.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2020-03-28 16:48
Tony F wrote:
>... Leak lights are good for a quick check but I far prefer to use
> mylar shims.
Hi Tony,
What is a mylar shim? Is it a type of feeler gauge?
For a quick pads test, I check suction. Even though it may not reveal other problems like a weak spring.
I am not a professional tech, so that's why I can only use my personal exlerience.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2020-03-28 17:30
The mylar shims I mentioned are narrow strips cut from the very thin mylar used to wrap some candy. You'll also find it used for gift wrapping. I glue a strip of it to the end of a wood strip cut from an old reed and try it in several positions around the closed pad. When I get even resistance all round then I know the pad is seating evenly. I find that suction tests are good, but sometimes it tends to pull the pad down onto the seat more firmly than would be the case under spring tension.
I'm also strictly an amateuer at repairs. I do it as a self-funding hobby. There are no good repairers near where I live, so I fix a lot of woodwinds for the local schools.
Tony F.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2020-03-30 06:03
Tony F wrote:
> The mylar shims I mentioned are narrow strips cut from the very
> thin mylar used to wrap some candy. You'll also find it used
> for gift wrapping. I glue a strip of it to the end of a wood
> strip cut from an old reed and try it in several positions
> around the closed pad. When I get even resistance all round
> then I know the pad is seating evenly. I find that suction
> tests are good, but sometimes it tends to pull the pad down
> onto the seat more firmly than would be the case under spring
> tension.
>
> I'm also strictly an amateuer at repairs. I do it as a
> self-funding hobby. There are no good repairers near where I
> live, so I fix a lot of woodwinds for the local schools.
>
Tony,
Thanks - I think there are called feeler gauge as well. I use the suction test as a quick way to test a joint.
I'd say you are no amateur if you are getting paid.
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