 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: wayne
Date: 2001-11-06 05:49
My trusty old Evette is " cracking up ". I had a long crack that ran from the top of the joint, down through the to A key pinned about a year ago. Now there is a crack runnig down from the F (or register hole), about 1 inch. The previous repair didn't make a difference I could hear but I'm wondering if multiple repairs can have a additive change in the sound. I'm also a bit concerned that the new crack is so near such an important hole in the instrument... Maybe it's time for that new horn ?
Any advice is appreciated ! The horn is a D serial number Evette, made by buffet, about 30+ years old. Thanks
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-11-06 13:21
Wayne,
Personally, I would replace the instrument, especially if the crack is across any tone holes. But before I did that, I would take a hard look at how I'd been storing and caring for it.
If you've had this instrument for a very long time, I would examine things like what has changed in your life. Have you moved to an area with different weather, humidity, etc.? Changes in climate require changes in how you care for your instruments.
If you have not had it very long and you are sure it was not cracked when you got it, I would look at how you have been caring for it, if at all. No offense meant.
I know there are people on the BB who are more expert at dealing with cracks than I am, but it's been my experience that most cracks in older instruments are usually due to lack of proper care and maintenance.
We've heard from people who have had an instrument for 30 years, never did anything for it and it is in perfect condition. They are lucky, it doesn't always happen that way.
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2001-11-06 14:34
Wayne,
You worry me a bit. My Evette is a D series I bought new in around 1969. It is a fantastic horn and has never had a crack. I oil it annually and had felt confident it is no longer in danger of cracking. In fact I thought that cracking was almost exclusively a problem of the newer horns (poorer selection of woods, less aging etc.). I now worry because my daughter has taken that horn down to Santa Barbara where she is at school.
I guess the humidity there was doing something because for the first time ever one key started to bind the first week she got there.
So I guess my question is what should I do to protect the horn against cracking when it comes home from the more humid Santa Barbara?
As for your question: If your horn is one of the D series which is a truely exceptional player (mine performas as good or better than any R13 I have ever tried) I would pin it and keep it.
Terry Horlick
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2001-11-06 15:02
I'd try to fix it. But then, I'd try to fix just about anything that still has a chance of playing.
If you could not tell the difference in sound from the previous repair, then a) it was done well, and b) if another repair is executed as well, you likely won't notice a difference after that, either. But if it keeps happening, and the joint begins to look like a survivor of a knife fight -- well, maybe the line must be drawn somewhere.
I concur with Peter in this respect: it is past time to examine the humidity environment of your instrument and how you have maintained it (oiling, etc.). Further problems might be minimized by your devoting more attention to this.
It may not be time for a new horn but surely a nice time to begin looking.
Regards,
John
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-11-06 18:32
That's exactly it, John: How many cracks should it sustain in a single joint?
I wonder if the Doctor is reading this, because I'd like to read what his answer to Terry's question about what to do when the horn returns home from a higher humidity environment.
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Author: Joseph O'Kelly
Date: 2001-11-06 20:17
My Evette had two seperate pinnings done to it before I got it. They are both on the top joint. It does not deter from its wonderfull playing characteristics.
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-11-06 22:43
Joseph,
With all due respect:
Buying a clarinet with a pinned crack or two is like buying a car that had a bent frame repaired. It may seem like it makes no difference, but it does, however slight it may be.
I wouldn't have bought an instrument that had even one pinning done to it, never mind two, regardless of how I thought it sounded, which, to the untrained ear may not have made a difference, but pinning always does make a difference, however slight.
Hopefully it was at a dirt cheap price that you bought it.
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Author: wayne
Date: 2001-11-06 22:52
Thanks everyone. Yes, the horn was fine for quite some time. When I moved from San Francisco to Portland, Or, things started to go bad (only for the horn - love the NW). It's dried very carefully and stored in it's case. I feel the problems really began when we switched to gas heat. It's quite dry and we live in a very wet climate. I've used a wet sponge in a pill bottle with holes on top to try to keep some moisture in the case, and, I practice in a room with an aquarium, which I have to "top up" every three days with a couple of cups of water due to evaporation.
Neither crack has gone through to the bore, however, the larger first crack does look a little like a knife fight (ouch). And yes, I and my teacher love the sound I get with this horn, we are, however, both wondering how best to slow all this cracking down. Nice to hear these D serial numbered Evettes are well thought of.
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Author: Joseph O'Kelly
Date: 2001-11-07 20:20
- Peter
Are you saying that horns with pins are not worth buying? It seems today that every new Buffet clarinet develops cracks. If I was to sell my Festival clarinet is it not worth it to others to purchase this beatifull one year old clarinet because of one insignifigant repair. Does the fact that I payed $2500 not mean anything because of these repairs?
Yes my Evette was a cheap buy but would be worth it even if I payed 5 times book value. The Evette is by far the best clarinet I've ever played and has been confirmed as a great player by many respectable sources. "but pinning always does make a difference, however slight." Then I wonder how great this instrument played before the pinns. Right now I use it as my main horn.
There is no problem in buying an instrument with a properly fixed crack. I've played on many clarinets pre and post crack and believe me when I say that it really doesn't make a difference.
The pros to cracked horns------ They cost less money
The cons--------- When one goes to sell a pinned horn they are docked a heafty some on money for a meaningless cosmetic flaw. It is a repair. Just because a wood instrument is pinned doesn't mean its prone to cracking, wood sometimes crack. It's the new Buffets that crack like hell. I'm suprised my A clarinet hasn't cracked yet, especially in the contrasting summers and winters of Michigan.
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