 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: AmandaSmith107
Date: 2011-05-21 13:52
My clarinet instructor told me that if my clarinet had never been overhauled, that this summer was probably time to do it. It's a Leblanc Concerto and about six years old. I emailed a technician in the area, and he replied back as so:
"Nice horn, 350 for overhaul new corks..buff and clean keys new pads..remove excess key motion.,.425 for cork pads on upper joint...280 for pads only."
This email confused me a little. Can someone tell me
1.) If this is worth the money.
2) Which option would be the best.
3.) Who the best technicians in the Dallas/Fort Worth area are.
Thanks!
Amanda
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-05-21 14:10
Whether or not "this is worth the money" depends on the quality of the technician's work. You need to find someone with a really good reputation or get recommendations from players you know who have had work done for them that they were happy with. In this case, personal recommendations are much more important than advertising or website claims.
Cork pads are favored by some players (I have them in the upper joints of all my clarinets), but pads have developed in quality over the years that seal as well as cork and may make less noise when the key closes. I'd say skip the cork pads unless you have a reason to prefer them.
I wouldn't recommend the "pads only" option. You certainly want the tenon corks replaced as needed and the keywork adjusted to remove lost motion, binding, incorrect pad opening heights and poor spring tension, etc.. In fact, I'm not really sure how a repair tech could do "pads only" without getting into the other areas - some pads won't ever seat correctly unless the other mechanical things are right.
Karl
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-05-21 16:10
Have you had your clarinet regularly serviced in the time you've had it for?
If not, then it may need a full overhaul (completely stripping it down and starting again with all new pads and corks throughout) if most of the pads are shot, otherwise it might only need a good service which is replacing anything that needs replacing plus a thorough clean, oil and regulation.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: gwie
Date: 2011-05-21 20:15
If you don't mind shipping your instrument, I've had a number of clarinets completely overhauled by Bill and Linda Brannen. Their prices are quite competitive (and a bargain compared to what is being charged out here in California), and their work is first-rate.
http://brannenwoodwinds.com/
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Author: AmandaSmith107
Date: 2011-05-22 02:19
The more research I do, the more I think I want to try out the Brannens. If their prices are anywhere close to what I was quoted, then it seems like it would be worth it. My horn has had one, maybe two pads replaced in its lifetime and is probably in need of some adjusting. Do you know if they adjust the tone holes to improve intonation?
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2011-05-22 05:50
I know many repairers do it, but personally I'm always surprised that someone can give a price without seeing the instrument. Amount of work needed can vary a lot between two different full overhauls. Re the "280 for pads only" is always surprising to me. What if you choose this option, only to find later, once the repairer can see the instrument, that it won't work since there are too many issues other than the pad (e.g. hinges, linkages, corks, etc.). Same for cleaning, just because there is a lot of mechanical work doesn't mean the clarinet is necessarily dirty, so I would prefer this added to the worj and the price only if needed or chosen. IMO.
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Author: gwie
Date: 2011-05-22 07:28
Why wouldn't they be able to price out a complete overhaul? Usually it costs a set amount of materials and time, assuming *everything* needs to be done. The only issue is if there is damage to be repaired (like cracks).
With the Brannens, I've always been quoted a reasonable price for an overhaul, and have been pleasantly surprised to find that it has been less expensive when the instrument has required less work!
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2011-05-22 22:50
I've only had my 6 year old Buffet Festival in for minor repairs such as 1 new pad I believe and adjustment of the B/E and Crows foot mechanism and I play on it for 2-4 hours per day and everything seals well. The only thing is that the action of the keys are not as tight as it was when I bought it but do you usually with 6 year old clarinet have to have it completely overhauled and tenon corks and pads replaced and in fact should at least the tenon corks not last for over 10 years with good care ?
My A clarinet was owned by a player in the Icelandic Symphony orchestra as my spare Bb clarinet and both were 8 years old when I got them in 2001 and I believe they had at that time the first complete overhaul at the Buffet factory. The A clarinet is obviously less used but I've been playing it now almost every day and I only had one pad replaced and the keys oiled once since I got it and it still feels(apart from 2 very sticky pads that do need to be replaced as cleaning the holes and cleaning them with some water does not help and powder paper is only usable to get through a concert).
In fact I found that my spare Bb sitting in the closet and not being played goes more out of adjustment than my set in use.
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Author: AmandaSmith107
Date: 2011-05-22 23:19
Well, I've recieved my quote from the Brannens, and it doesn't look like that's within my budget. Are there any other technicians anyone would suggest?
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2011-05-23 00:11
John Butler, whose Web site is Cork and Pad, I believe (Google him), is an expert in repairs, in Sugarland, Texas. He has been recommended on this board a number of times. I know nothing about him, except for that.
He has a good rep. You might inquire.
Post Edited (2011-05-23 00:13)
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Author: LCL
Date: 2011-05-23 13:42
John Butler has overhauled my Leblanc Model 340 contrabass and Selmer Model 40 contra-alto. The work on both was superb!
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-05-23 17:38
Another option: Since you seem to be near the Dallas area, why not comtact Tom Ridenour in Duncanville? He DESIGNED the Concerto and Opus for Leblanc. If anyone can make the instrument live up to its full potential, it would be Tom! Check him out at http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-05-24 14:06
That's a good price if the quality is good, did you teacher recommend the tech? My guy in MD is fantastic but charges much more than that because of the time he takes to make it perfect. After 6 years of playing, having never had any major work, it's probably time to do it. I always recommend cork pads in the upper joint, except for the 1/1 key pad, that's so the pad is the same as the 1/1 pad in the lower joint. Good cork pads last a lot longer than others and that's where most of the water problems occur. By the way, I never recommend sending your clarinet out unless you can pick it up in person, play it for a while before you leave to make sure the key heights and tension are right for you. Every tech has their own idea of how that should be but you may like it lighter, heavier, more spring to some keys, etc. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2011-05-24 14:24
Ed I even never want to send my clarinet in post because I like of course to play it before so I can be sure it's up to my liking.
The other reason is because my former teacher did send his Bb Buffet Tosca clarinet out for crack repair in England and when it arrived the post wanted all customs fee and such paid off it and it was some major trouble and when they sent it back it went all the way to USA.
Also sending the clarinet to London with insurance costs like 1/3-1/2 of the price of plain ticket so I rather plan a holiday there and take the clarinet with me.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2011-05-24 20:50
http://www.hkarlssonwoodwinds.com/
http://www.cork-and-pad.woodwind.org/
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Blake Arrington
Date: 2011-05-25 00:07
Amanda,
Since you are in North Texas, I would suggest Ann MacMillian at UNT in Denton. Go to www.music.unt.edu and search under faculty. She runs the repair shop there and does great work for a very reasonable price.
All the best,
Blake Arrington
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Author: AmandaSmith107
Date: 2011-05-25 01:15
Thank you so much!! I've done some research here on the board and some other places and will be shipping my horn to John Butler later this week. I'm excited to see how it comes back =]
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Author: pewd
Date: 2011-05-25 03:52
John's work is stellar.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: MIClarinet
Date: 2011-05-29 18:51
Tim Burdick in Cleveland Heights, OH is great! VERY fair price and fantastic, consistent work. His business is called Woodwind Workshop. He's also a very nice man!
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2011-05-30 10:31
Of course it depends on how much you play, but 6 years sounds like having your brakes checked every 60,000 miles.
The Brannens are very button-down and do great work, but also charge a fair price at their level. This was economically fine for me when working every weekend, but not so good now.
A recent overhaul of my wedding clarinet by someone nearby was $350, and I am happy with this low price and the results.
But it was brutal to weed out other recommended shops in the area, whose work is not on this level. I got back my instrument with leaks, loose screws, sloppy gluing, you name it.
The Brannen's work for me was absolutely flawless, and I happily paid for it. At the lower price point, I can afford a call-back.
Stay connected to local players and teachers. Ask who is working on their instruments. Test shops with minor repairs, and evaluate the results.
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