 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: John Gibson
Date: 2001-08-08 23:36
Just got an Italian made (Jean LaSerre) Bb. The wood is absolutely beautiful and has no cracks or problems at all. Took it to local music shop and was told it's really not "worth" overhauling because the keys are pot metal. One of which is broken and she says you can't solder pot metal.
Here's my question for Dave S. and John B. and anyone else who works on/repairs clarinets:
Can all the keywork be replaced and the horn put into good playing condition?
I hate to think the wood is just kindling. If it's possible to replace the keywork, how much would it cost?
I hate to make lamps of musical instruments or just have them around for display.
BESIDES....it was given to me by a listener of my radio show and he was so sincere in giving it to me that I feel obligated....
John Gibson
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-08-08 23:50
John, you said: "given to me by a listener of my radio show ." As a relic of the dark ages I listen to the radio still. What program? Over what stations? Where and When?
Bob A
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Author: willie
Date: 2001-08-09 01:34
I've seen some clarinets from Asia with "pot metal" or what I think is "zamack" keys, but none from Europe. Thats not to say they don't exist though. It sounds to me that this tech just didn't want to fool around with something she wasn't familiar with or she felt it, being an off brand or stencil, wasn't up to her standards. I'd take it elsewhere and get a second opinion. Even if its low grade metal, a good tech can take a key off an old cadaver and fit it to yours.
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-08-09 01:37
John,
I'm afraid the cost of such and adventure on your antique clarinet would be prohibitive. Each key would mostly likely have to be custom made which is very labor intensive. You can read that as EXPENSIVE. However, it can be overhauled with the keys. Pot metal keys are okay so long as they do not break. Your repairer is correct in that they can not be mended once they have broken. So long as the clarinet is not in the hands someone who is careless it should be serviceable. As for the broken key, perhpaps a replacement for the one key can be fashioned from another. It may look a little odd alongside the others, but functional.
John
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Author: John Gibson
Date: 2001-08-09 02:18
Thanks....I will get a second opinion....the wood is truly to good to throw away or "illuminate".
Still want to know if other clarinet keys are interchangable. Like the whole set of trill keys?
Bob....I'll e-mail you with the radio show info....
Thanks again.....
John Gibson
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-08-09 03:38
I'm glad J B has given you a pro answer, I have had keys made and revised to fit a "wounded" horn, I dont attempt such myself, and have noticed that its not a repairperson's favorite sport. So smile and be patient,someone will help you [if only one key is needed!] Luck with a "nearly-golden" oldie. Don
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-08-09 04:03
For the record, JButler is 100% correct. Prohibitive is being polite. Figure out the number of keys & levers. Then figure out re-fitting the connecting hardware -- posts, pivot screws, rod screws, rods & new springs. Don't forget you'll need new rings, too. Remember, they'll have to be custom made and fitted everywhere. I wouldn't waste any money remaking thaty key. Since it has potmetal, more are sure to break as soon as it is used again. Sorry. Good luck. mw
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-08-09 04:09
John Gibson wrote:
> Bob....I'll e-mail you with the radio show info....
No, no - tell us, tell us ;^)
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-08-09 08:08
Hi, John -
Pot metal cannot be soldered as John has already pointed out. I believe pot metal is porous. If you have all the broken pieces, you might want to give JBWeld or super glue a try. I'm only suggesting this as a possibility. I haven't tried it myself :
- ron b -
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-08-09 14:15
John G,
I agree with John Butler also. The broken pot-metal key is probably history, but it should be relatively easy to replace it with the corresponding key from another clarinet. I've got quite a few spare parts and donor clarinets down in "the hole" -- please contact me off-line. As for restoring the instrument, consider starting with a basic re-pad job to see if the instrument generally plays well before you sink any more money into it. One never knows --- it could be a dog, it could be just average, or it could be a diamond in the rough.
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Author: Robert
Date: 2001-08-09 18:12
And if anything, you can still spare the nice wood, and make it into a lamp....
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-08-09 19:26
I hate it when people make decorations out of instruments! I start frothing at the mouth whenever I'm in a restaurant where they've got perfectly restorable clarinets, saxes, and brass instruments hanging on the wall.........I have this almost uncontrollable urge to tear them down, bring them home, and nurse them back to health.........
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Author: Bill Fogle
Date: 2001-08-09 19:39
I admire your desire to restore the instrument. I have a number of clarinets (two SMLs, a Leon Trotte, and an old Bettoney/Buffet) that just seemed to have been banged around by the previous user. I've never understood beating up one's clarinet. So often the bridge and side trill keys look like they have just been purposefully mangled. I never understood that. I treat my instruments with a sort of reverence.
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Author: John Gibson
Date: 2001-08-09 20:49
Amen to Bill F....and Dave S.....musical instruments are a "gift" and those who play them "gifted". (no matter their ability)
Just got a second opinion on the horn that started this thread...and...tech said it is nickle silver not pot metal.....oila!!!! But I think I will get a third opinion just in case....
Downside is she can't even get to it until January.....
Dave....I'll contact you personally with a question about key replacement...
AGAIN.....PROOF THAT MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS ARE MEANT TO BE PLAYED....
Inherited my Dad's guitar when he passed away. It was an instrument I never saw him play. however I did see it from time to time when I ventured into our attic.
The bridge was loose....so as a kid I "glued" it back on....and replaced the old steel strings with kite string...forgot about it until years later when I got it on my Dad's passing......took it to see if it was worth fixing....guy said....well....it would sure take a lot of money....but said he'd trade me a new one for it....made me wonder..
if it was so expensive to fix....why would he want to trade me a new guitar....
so I kept it....later found out it was indeed worth fixing....one year for Christmas I opened the present my wife gave me and found my Dad's guitar completely overhauled, yet still representative of it's years of service. It sounds like angels singing when played by someone who knows how. It was made in 1929. It's a Martin 000-18.....and the tech who restored it (five years ago) asked if I'd be willing to take $5000 for it?
NO WAY.... It was my father's....I have two sons that love playing guitar and are actually pretty good....one of them will get it. The most difficult part will be deciding which one.....
Anyway.....thanks for giving me a "read".
John Gibson
P.S.....I've not forgotten the question about my radio show.....will post it separately.
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2001-08-10 14:26
Lamps make sense only in dire situations - unoverhaulable clarinets. From your description (I'm no expert, mind you) overhauling should be difficult and costly, but it hasn't reached condition black yet!!
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Author: T. Gilfoil
Date: 2001-11-29 20:03
I played clarinet in grade school some 35 years back and along the way upgraded to one bearing the name of Jean Laserre. Being ignorant (as I still am) I had and have currently no idea what I have here. I believe the keys a nickel-silver. I am trying to pass this instrument on to my son as he has shown an interest in it and I would like to know what I am dealing with here.
It needs to be repadded but that is really about it. I am learning through the web that it would probably play better with a new ligature and mouthpiece. I have been quoted $225 for an "overhaul" of this instrument and I would like to know if that is reasonable. I have taken good care of it over the years. If anyone can tell me anything about the history of this "horn" I would be most appreciative.
Thanks.
T. Gilfoil
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Author: emmamay
Date: 2008-03-26 04:06
hey i seen you have posted about the Jean LaSerre clarinet and wanted to know more about min can u help?
Post Edited (2008-03-26 04:18)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-03-26 11:23
I share Dave's feelings about clarinet lamps. It's like having one's deceased wife sent to a Taxidermist for a Rec Room decoration.
Bob Draznik
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