 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Johnny Galaga
Date: 2022-05-20 05:01
I have an R13 purchased new in 1997 that has never played in tune, serial #426515. It needs an overhaul, but I'm debating if it's worth spending the high $ on a professional overhaul or shopping for something new.
I just want something that's in tune. Don't overhauls cost like $600 or something? Local music shops usually do a poor job, so I'm assuming I'd have to find a true expert and ship it somewhere? But I'm not sure where to begin.
Or I could try to sell the thing, plus save the $600, and then start shopping. The prices of new horns is daunting. I don't need a top professional model, just something in tune. So what do you guys think? Overhaul an out-of-tune horn, or start fresh?
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2022-05-20 06:54
same boat as you . mine is a 1984 year and the altisimo is way out of tune no matter what mpc or reed or who plays it.
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2022-05-20 07:05
If you don't need a top pro model, what are your requirements? "Intermediate" type model (not a fan of those)? Maybe if it were me I'd just buy a $400 new student model "plastic" one. I wouldn't hesitate to use my Selmer one of those at a concert and keep it as a spare under my chair. I have never been a major symphony player thus I would not buy a new Buffet-- these days. It costs almost as much as a tank of gas right now in Canada. How out of tune is your R13? Is it fixable? I'd have no problem spending $600 on my 1999 R13 if it needed it.
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tomheimer.ampbk.com/ Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001315, Musicnotes product no. MB0000649.
Boreal Ballad for unaccompanied clarinet-Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001314.
Musicnotes product no. MNO287475
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2022-05-20 11:47
I used to have an out of tune clarinet and it was a massive improvement for me when I switch to a well tuned one. I can recommend it highly.
I bought a Yamaha Custom CX and I think its tuning is great right up to the top (though I'm not extremely experienced in the high altissimo). It's a bit cheaper than the standard professional instruments, but very good.
I did look at less expensive ones but to get a really nice tone it seemed to need a professional grade one.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2022-05-20 16:31
Perhaps send it to Wes Rice for an evaluation. There may be issues he could suggest or make a barrel for it that would help. If he thinks it is workable, I would just get it fixed up
https://www.clarinetworks.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2022-05-20 17:24
There are some folks out there who can work on a clarinet to get it to play better in tune such as Morrie Backun. As SunnyDaze had mentioned there is NO SUBSTITUTE for playing on an in-tune horn (this is your FIRST priority when trying gear, horns and mouthpieces.
Ok, I'll tell on myself. The first thing I listen/look for is a horn that's fun to play. BUT then I go through it with a tuner and make sure that the irregularities (and there are ALWAYS irregularities) are compensatable in easy ways. Tuning is the final deciding factor ALWAYS!!! There once was a Buffet Vintage that had the nicest sound I heard to date and was at a great price. The Bb sitting on the first ledger line over the staff was pretty well out of tune (not the corresponding throat Eb). I might have been able to get someone to "fix it," but I was not willing to take that chance and passed on it......still have dreams about that one.
NEXT TIME, buy one that tunes well.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: donald
Date: 2022-05-21 00:21
How about you detail some of the problems, then we can advise you if the tuning can be easily fixed
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Author: m1964
Date: 2022-05-22 18:18
donald wrote:
> How about you detail some of the problems, then we can advise
> you if the tuning can be easily fixed
It would be easier to suggest what to do if the OP said where he is located. There could be a skilled tech within driving distance from him.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2022-05-23 01:13
Johnny, it would also be helpful to know if your R13 is out-of-tune with every single mouthpiece and reed setup you've ever tried with it.
Any given mouthpiece--regardless of who made it or what it cost--can yield faulty intonation on any given clarinet.
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Author: Johnny Galaga
Date: 2022-05-23 04:29
I'm in the Tampa, FL. It's hard to pinpoint the exact intonation problems, but I always feel like I need to pull out at the middle joint to get the lower clarion in tune.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2022-05-23 05:49
Hard to pinpoint the exact problems? If you haven't spent time in a controlled environment with a tuner plotting exactly where the intonation faults are with your clarinet, you will not be able to effectively communicate what the problems are to your technician. He/she will have to waste valuable time figuring it all out for you.
These problems, once clearly identified, can most often be addressed by your technician during your clarinet's annual service. You may not need an overhaul.
Many R13s need a pull at the centre tenon to play in tune. No worries there.
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