 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: oboi
Date: 2018-12-06 00:50
Attachment: IMG_20181205_133732.jpg (1151k)
Hi,
I'm wondering if a crack on a cocobolo EH bell is extremely significant. It's fairly long, from the tenon, down about 2 inches. It's hard to tell, but it might go down into the bore nearest the tenon, about a few millimetres. The instrument sounds good upon initial testing. What does that do to the value of a horn? How easy (i.e., cost) is it to repair and is it susceptible to catastrophic failure?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2018-12-06 02:59
Most likely cracked due to the wood shrinking when humidity is low and the pressure from within caused by the metal socket liner which doesn't move. Cocobolo is less dense and less stable than grenadilla. It can be glued up and shouldn't cause any further grief.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: oboi
Date: 2018-12-07 10:49
Interesting, today I noticed the tenon ends on both the top and middle joint are loose. I even pulled one out. Looks like there was significant shrinkage issues.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2018-12-07 14:47
Do you mean the metal socket liners have come adrift? That's pretty serious if it is the case, but it can still be addressed.
Humidity levels are low this time of year and some houses are drier than others even in the same region (depending on the type of heating). Maybe it was stored somewhere with higher humidity before it was sent to you.
Have you used a humidifier with this cor to see if that helps?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: oboi
Date: 2018-12-08 23:00
The the metal around the male end of the tenon, just below the cork. They are so loose that they can come out. It's actually an instrument I just acquired. Humidity is very low, although it did come from a place with high humidity. But it was in a shop for who knows how long. Their blame is on the shipping, although I'm skeptical.
I checked for other cracks and there doesn't seem to have any other than on the bell. Oddly the socket linings seem to have a bit of rust staining. Tried to wipe it off but still some orange spots. The case is definitely now humidified and I gave it a good dose of oiling (it looked very dry). I just hope after fixing the tenons and the bell and after it acclimates to my climate (as much as it can) that it remains stable. The instrument is about 10 years old and looks like it was well played.
Over the next week I plan to have it examined by my teacher and then take it to the shop to get repaired.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2018-12-09 02:45
Have it assessed by an oboe specialist repairer instead of your teacher as repairers will know what they're looking for and looking at whereas teachers can often misdiagnose or miss problems.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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