 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Katie
Date: 2001-07-16 03:19
How do you make a lamp out of an old clarinet?
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2001-07-16 04:35
There was a big debate over this some time ago, whether or not it was right to make a clarinet lamp. Some people put in their two cents. Why don't you search this forum for that debate? It was two to three weeks ago.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-07-16 11:53
That thread was on the MERITS or otherwise of immortalizing a clarinet as a lamp stand. But I don't think it said anything about HOW to do the conversion.
It would seem to be simply a matter of attaching the bell to something more secure, and perhaps turning the mouthpiece or barrel in a lathe to fit a standard lamp holder, which could glued in, or attached in a removable fashion in case servicing or cable replacement was needed. A hole drilled through the bottom of the bell wouyld allow the cable to exit the bore. A shade can be attached in the normal way to the lamp holder.
I used to make bottle lamps in a similar way, but in this case a cork or stopper was fitted to the lamp holder.
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Author: J. Exner
Date: 2001-07-16 12:26
My husband has made several clarinet lamps--some out of metal clarinets and one out of an old Bundy. He'll be home tonight, and he'll be delighted to give you instructions. Till then. . .
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Author: william
Date: 2001-07-16 14:35
Just a Thought--Give your candidate-for-a-lamp clarinet to some homeless child whose parent(s) can't afford their next meal, let alone a musical instrument, and you will light up their lives as well as your own. You would not believe the brilliance of the smile that radiates from a sixth-grade child who, after coming into my bandroom at school saying, "I want to play in the band but my mom can't afford an instrument," hears the words, "You may have an instrument for free--you are welcome here." The tradgedy is, after 8th grade, that instrument must to be returned to the school and the child cannot continue to play in high school--or beyond. A simple gift of an old "worthless" instrument, a piece of junk to you, could be a treasure to young musician--perhaps for life. Just a thought,,,,,,,,,,,
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-07-16 15:15
There has been at least one post, if not more, on this board about the mechanics of turning it into a lamp. Basically to reprise.
1. Determine if clarinet is junky enough to preclude restoration. There's a big difference between the worthwhileness of restoring a Chinese Lark or an old Buffet. Make the Lark a lamp but restore the Buffet (unless it is riddled with cracks).
2. ==> Buy a lamp "kit" at almost any hardware store and follow the directions.
3. Decide what kind of base you want, make one, and attach the instrument. Note that a clarinet is really to thin for it's height when thinking in terms of lamps so it isn't very stable. Take that into account in sizing your base.
4. Put in bulb, attach lamp shade and you are ready to go.
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Author: connie
Date: 2001-07-16 15:27
If you check my post from 6/28, it tells how I made a lamp WITHOUT drilling through or modifying the clarinet (I'm too chicken, or too guilty, to do that). Although the clarinet in my lamp is pure junk, if some fanatically dedicated soul wanted to try to repad it and play it, nothing I've done would prevent that. Currently, I have neither the resources nor the knowledge to make it an instrument that would benefit a needy player, and it would be more economically feasible to give that player a horn that doesn't need $200 worth of work!
Let's not get into the ethics again...all that has been beaten to death.
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2001-07-16 19:22
I agree, Connie. I actually have my own old clarinet that needs "lampifying".
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Author: J. Exner
Date: 2001-07-17 02:52
Here's my husband's "recipe":
The lamp is made of these components:
1 8 X 8-inch marble floor tile from Home Depot. Pick the 12 x 12 and have the store attendant cut it to 8 x 8.
1 clarinet (I use only the bell and lower joint unless it's a metal clarinet--the whole thing is too long).
1 1/2 masonary drill bit to drill hole in the center of the tile
4 quarter-sized rubber discs to act as feet under the tile base to pick up the base so the cord can run through the clarinet and out the bottom.
1 lamp kit from Home Depot.
1 shade
1 tube of epoxy cement (the clear kind that has the double componet combination).
Follow the directions with the lamp kit. You'll need a hack saw to cut your rod to the right length.
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