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Cracked Top Joints; To Repair Or To Replace...

Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-08-28 00:15

I'm all in favour of REPAIRING cracks over replacing the entire top joint for a new one in the event of a joint cracking. My reasoning being:

The majority of cracks are repairable - even cracks that go right through to the bore. Most cracks tend to only go to a depth of around 3mm to maybe 4mm into the joint and with a wall thickness of between 7mm and 8mm on most clarinets, that's hardly any depth at all considering pillars are often sunk to depths of around 5mm or even more (eg. the sunken LH lever threaded pillars) and toneholes are drilled all the way through the joint wall.

If it's a clarinet you chose over many others because you like the way it plays in comparison, repairing the crack is still retaining the original top joint which in turn is preserving the qualities you chose in that instrument, whereas replacing the top joint for a completely new one means the clarinet is no longer as it was when you chose it - you may indeed like the new top joint better, or if not, then you're stuck with an instrument that was never like the one you chose.

Another factor is the new top joint will need to be played in as though you've just bought the clarinet brand new and in certain conditions, the timing couldn't be worse for playing in a brand new top joint if the weather is cold and humidity levels are low which will increase the risk of the new top joint cracking. Repairing the original cracked top joint will mean you can still carry on playing it if it's already been fully played in right after you get it back from having been repaired.

Cost is another factor - if the instrument is out of the warranty period, a brand new top joint will cost far more than having the crack repaired by whichever method and having any damaged toneholes bushed. Similarly with an instrument still under warranty - it'll cost the company less to repair the crack than replacing the entire joint and what a waste the old top joint would be as it can only be repurposed by pulverising it and turning it into wood dust to be used as filler.

As and when cracks happen, don't panic as it's not the end of the world as they can usually be repaired with hardly any adverse effect on the instrument. Count them as being minor inconveniences and something that's always a probability because of the nature of the wood clarinets are made from as it's not a perfect medium for the task. Possessing certain specific properties to be made into a clarinet doesn't always mean it's the perfect substance to make them from - that would be metal, but even metal has its downsides.

There - I've had my say on this matter, now you have yours.

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

Post Edited (2023-08-28 01:09)

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