 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Debbie
Date: 2011-06-19 23:46
My daughter is 11 and would like to join band in the fall.Obviously cost is an issue.I never had the opportunity so even if she doesn't stick with it--I want to give her the chance.I don't know a lot about instruments so I could easily be taken advantage of and would like to educate myself--this seems like a good place to start.We purchased a Bundy open hole clarinet at a yard sale for $5. Hard case included--a little rough on the inside but nothing some hot glue won't fix.We took it to a local music store to see if it was something we could put a little money into and use. The man at the store that day said all of the cork was good,showed me that some of the pads would need to be replaced and we talked about a cleaning kit, reeds and some misc. little things that we would need to get her started.He was very positive--then the tech called.He pointed out that it needed a complete overhaul at a cost of $150-175--I was prepared for that but then the conversation turned to the fact that a newer horn would be easier to play and the springs in the older one may not hold up as well --did I really want to put money into it --and generally sounded like he'd rather sell me a newer one for $250-$500 (if he had a used one) than work with what we have.I realize that this horn is at least 20 years old & may be somewhat harder to play--can anyone out there tell me if it's a mistake to put money into this?? I can do $200 but much more is out of the question--I don't want to have to tell her no.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-06-20 00:07
The tech may have a point about older springs but the fact of the matter is that when springs go (usu. one at a time) you can just address them when that happens.
Bundy is an ok horn. So as long as the new pad job seals well (and that is the responsibility of the tech) you should be able to start out just fine.
Don't forget though that a decent mouthpiece (if the one you have isn't in good shape could run $50 to $80 and reeds will be about $2.00 each or $20 per box of ten every few months or so. And then there is the issue of private instruction (highly recommended).
Playing any instrument has its "running costs." There is just no way around it.
....................Paul Aviles
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-06-20 00:36
I will agree somewhat with what Paul said. My first clarinet was a newBundy, which I purchased using my own money, back in 1968, when I was in4thgrade. It cost me $165 newback then, and got me through grades 4-8 without major issues.
In 9th grade, after 15 months of private lessons, my teacher told me I would benefit from a professional instrument, so I ended up with a brand new Buffet. I kept the Bundy for outdoor concerts in bad weather, as well as the dreaded marching band. Last I saw of it was when I was a senior, and let another player use it while I played alto saxophone. It never came back, but was still in good shape the last time I saw it! They are almost indestructible.
As Paul mentioned, look for a good mouthpiece. A Clark Fobes Debut or Hite Premiere are good starter mouthpieces. Pair that with some Mitchell Lurie reeds and your child will be in good shape. Avoid the basic Rico "orange biox" reeds. i second the suggestion for private lessons, the sooner the better!
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: Tony F
Date: 2011-06-20 00:37
A Selmer Bundy is an excellent low-cost horn for a beginner, and if its in good order should last for years. The tech may well be right about the need for an overhaul, if it hasn't been used for a while the pads may not be in good shape. I wouldn't be too worried about the springs, they do break occasionally, but fix it when it happens. Its not a major job. What sort of mouthpiece came with it? sometimes you get lucky and find you've bought a decent mouthpiece with the horn. If its not physically damaged it might be one your daughter can work with until you can afford a better one. I've had several Bundy's and they all played well.
Tony F.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-06-20 01:06
If the Bundy's body is itself intact and a $175 "overhaul" will put it into good playing condition, it should be worthwhile. The instrument would probably be better than anything you could buy today new for $250.
But I'd add the caveat that you should check with the band director she'll be working with in the fall and ask him to recommend a tech. If he suggests someone else, I'd get a second estimate from the person he recommends. The tech you talked to may be honestly interested in your best interest, but if he also sells new instruments he may have conflicting interests involved. If the result turns out to be deficient, either because what's included in the estimate is really not all that's needed or because his skill is limited, it will be all too easy to say it's because of the instrument's age and that a new one would have been a better investment.
Karl
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2011-06-20 01:53
Hi Debbie,
If you are in the St. Louis area, please e-mail me. (You can find my e-mail address by clicking on my name (in blue) at the top of my post.) If you don't live too far away from me, perhaps I can look the instrument over and give you a second opinion for free. I may also be able to tell you whether you are dealing with a reputable tech/store but I'd rather you didn't identify them on the forum here.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Debbie
Date: 2011-06-20 13:16
Thank You all so much--I know that there will be ongoing expenses that hopefully will be minor compared to the initial chunk of money required to get started.
Debbie
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2011-06-20 15:38
Perhaps a postscript at this point - I think for now I would go with the minimum required to get it playable; e.g., new pads and cork, but only where needed. A good mouthpiece would also be helpful. This would probably be much cheaper than a rental. If she sticks with it, and an overhaul might help, then that could always be done later (after the first year?)
OT: I'm a newbie on this board, so far a lurker (I recently started playing again after a very long hiatus). I have seen two overhaul prices mentioned on different threads recently for less than $200. I don't know what this includes in these cases, but I recently had my older wooden intermediate clarinet overhauled, and it cost me around $450. This was at a local shop that specializes in woodwind repairs, with some sales of rebuilt instruments. The work included complete disassembly, cleaning, (almond) oiling of wood, replacement of all cork and pads, adjustment and polishing of all keys. They did a good job, but I would be interested in finding out if this is too much. I noticed their other supplies were very high (like $5 for a traditional Vandoren reed, so I went to the local generic music shop for my other needs). Since I have the time, would it be worth an extra 100 mile drive to have future work such as this done? I'm thinking especially if I upgrade and need similar service.
Thanks,
LJ
Laurie (he/him)
Post Edited (2011-06-20 15:39)
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-06-22 13:57
LJBraten, the price you mentioned seems commesurate with the work you had done. Most of the lower priced "overhauls" tend to be simple pad/cork jobs.
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: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2011-06-22 14:21
Student of mine had her 1963 R-13 clarinet completely stripped from top to bottom - cost $700 recently from a well respected technician.
Another who had similar work from a lesser technician it cost $500.
So the price varies a bit, but isn't cheap at all.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Guy
Date: 2011-07-24 02:45
I personally wouldn't put that kind of cash into fixing up a Bundy. I just don't see it, not with the number of good, durable, better sounding intermediate wood clarinets available on eBay, Craigslist, ShopGoodwill and so on. You can get a heckuva nice, ready-to-play instrument for $150 or less. If you're into this only $5, I'd start over and enlist someone (school music teacher maybe or someone he recommends) to help you shop. Thank the music tech for his help and move on.
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2011-07-30 00:27
Jeff and David - thanks for the response. They did a good job on the overhaul, so it was good money spent.
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