 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinet713
Date: 2001-12-31 19:07
Hello-
I was wondering if it is necessary to have a check up for my clarinet? I was thinking it would be a good idea, but then everything is working well with it and I have not had any problems at all (and it would help to save the extra $!) I had it repadded a year ago and the pads are still in good shape. So what do you guys do? Have a yearly check up? Monthly? Bi-weekly?? Thanks
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Author: Kristen D.
Date: 2001-12-31 20:51
What kind of clarinet are you playing on? I play on Buffet R-13's. I had both
clarinets overhauled over the summer (new pads, etc.). I prefer to have my
clarinets in for a "check-up" about every 2 to 3 months (provided everything is
functioning properly in-between check-ups). However, I have recently changed
repairmen. Now that I send my clarinets out of state, I only get a check-up 2 to 3
times a year! I think it mostly depends on how "hard" you are on your instrument.
Some people (including myself) are a little rough on the keys. Their instruments
will get out of adjustment faster than others. Or if you play on your instrument
for several hours in each day, the keys will loosen faster. It also depends on what
kind of job your repairman did in the first place. If you haven't had problems for an
entire year, then he/she must have done something right. I would go ahead and
take it in since it has been a year. You might be surprised how a little tweak here
and there can improve little things you may have not noticed over a years' time.
Good luck.
Kristen Denny
GTA: Clairnet, UNL
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Author: willie
Date: 2001-12-31 22:46
A quick visual inspection regularly will help. I check pads all the time so I can fix them before they "surprise" me at the wrong moment. Look also for loose or pealing corks, rusty or broken springs, gunge in the bore and tone ports. A trip to the the tech will be quicker and cheaper if you can do some basic checks and cleaning.
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Author: Anne
Date: 2002-01-03 20:02
I noticed you said that you changed repairpeople. When you were thinking of changing, what questions did you have? How did you interview?
For newbies like me, we don't necessarily have access to many professional opinions. Further, I am a snowbird, so I need repairs/ tune ups done in both N California and Tampa. Just knowing there is a good shop is one thing. Making sure there is a good "fit" is another.
What are the downsides of shipping out of state for you? What are the upsides? I'm lucky enough to have two clarinets, so I am not destitute if I were to send one out.
How about prices? On eBay, there are a number of technicians who advertise their experience and a price. However, each one will reprice their work before you ship and before returning the horn. I understand the necessity, but how do you know you are getting a price that is in the ball park for the service provided?
Thanks,
Anne
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-01-05 01:43
There is always steady deterioration of the 'set-up' of a clarinet, even if it is just increasing clackiness of the mechanism.
It is very rare for me to find a clarinet that can't benefit from some attention, even if it relates to reliability over the next year or more, rather than how it plays at present.
Players tend to get used to the deterioration, and not notice it, but do notice the improvement after servicing.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-01-09 04:14
Hey Gordon - happy new year to a fellow antipodean
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