 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Irwin
Date: 2001-08-29 02:13
I just wanted to report on my experience with Brannen Woodwinds.
Almost 3 weeks ago, I did something unbelievably stupid - I picked up my case which wasn't buckled shut, and my Opus fell about 3 feet onto a hard tile floor. Fortunately because there are metal rings around the tennons they didn't crack. However, a few keys bent which made it all but impossible to play certain notes. So, I sent my Opus to Brannens to fix what I bent and otherwise Brannenize it based on all the positive experiences other Sneezy posters have had with the Brannens.
I got the Opus back today and all the damage has been repaired. Overall, the key work is noticeably more tight. Also, a B natural just above the break plays efforlessly, certainly easier than before. Finally, I noticed that playing in the upper register is likewise easier than before. There are other more subtle differences which affect how long the Opus will be able to go before its next servicing, particularly in the quality of pads that were replaced.
I'm definitely pleased with the work that Brannens did on my Opus, and wouldn't hesitate to use them again.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-08-29 13:47
The Brannens are in the Chicago area and are Sneezy sponsors. Click onto the list of Sponsors and find Brannen Woodwinds. I attest to their expertise at adjusting, repairing and fine tuning great clarinets. They did a fantastic job on my new Buffet Festival.
As Irwin mentioned, the Opus benefits greatly from their service--as do all professional Leblanc clarinets. Most people think of them for their R-13s and other Buffets (because they really, really know their stuff about those), but every Leblanc I've ever played (including Irwin's Opus) could use a bit of tweaking to make the key-action a bit smoother.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-08-30 11:12
I would expect that to be the stardard of work by ANY repairer. Has the trade really come to accept masses of substandard repairers?
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-08-30 12:38
YES, and I'll bet it's the SAME where you abide as well. Finding a truly competent tech is not an easy task (shortage, hack, incompetent, uncaring, ignorant, poorly supplied, ill-equipped, cheap materials, a year behind, slow, under-manned, etc are all thoughts that come to mind).
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-08-30 16:19
It's sad, but true. As mw said, there are thousands of sub-standard technicians out there in many of the major music stores. You never know who will work on your instrument. I took my Opus to a local guy who is supposed to be the best around here and said, "Here's what it needs, do whatever else you find that it needs." I trusted his expertise because he's been doing this for over 20 years. Well, I came to pick up my instrument and found that he had let his 12 year old son do my repair work and he hadn't tested it at all. When I appeared shocked, he just laughed.
It turned out the repair was ok, but I never took another of my personal instruments to him again because I couldn't trust him not to "farm" it out to someone "in training."
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-08-31 02:04
I hear this and THROAT comes to mind .... as in ... well ... best not said. mw
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Author: Carmen Izzo
Date: 2001-09-04 03:36
Hey, I hear that they charge more for overhauls on Leblancs than Buffets. Is this true?
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-09-05 03:05
ahh, yes, Leblanc prejudice is a terrible thing!  mw
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