 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: rc_clarinetlady
Date: 2005-06-02 16:54
A couple of months ago I picked up my new BAM case with both clarinets, (my babies), in it after a practice session. I had zipped the music part shut but not the instrument part. A mistake I'll never make again. Both A and Bb clarinet parts went falling to the carpeted floor which in itself probably did no damage but then the case full of orchestra music fell on top of all the parts. Usually clarinets will endure such falls but both my instruments failed to play. I had orchestra that night so I took it to our principal who is a professor and does instrument repair. He got them both in working condition for the concert but they both need more work. They don't need repads or corking as much as there are large and fine adjustments that need to be done and keys that now have too much play in them. Problems I've never had before. Brannen's wanted $500 each to do this. I think it included the full repadding too but I don't really need that at this point. BTW, they are both Buffet R-13's.
I haven't had much luck with the local shops. They want to do general type work and the one I used for years lost their best tech and are training a brass guy to do woodwinds. I'm not wanting to train him on my clarinets. I'm looking for what I hear about on this board from very serious clarinet technicians that know what they're doing. I emailed Brannen's and then tried to talk to Linda Brannen and schedule a time to send them. She didn't have time to talk to me. She was very busy and asked me to call back. I could only call in the morning and she just wouldn't talk to me any morning in that next week. I got frustrated and didn't call back. If I'm going to spend the kind of money that they charge to take care of my clarinets I want someone who has the time to care about me and my instruments. I was very disappointed in their business. Maybe it was a one time thing but I'm writing to ask if you all have had experience with other clarinet technicians that you would highly recommend for the kind of work I need. I'm sure there are others out there. I need a good recommendation or two.
BTW, trying out new contacts and can't see the computer. Sorry for any typos if there are any. One big blurr..............:)
Thanks to all.........Rebecca
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Author: RosewoodClarinet
Date: 2005-06-02 17:16
Brannnens are great. As you say, they are very busy and hard to make appointment right away. They have bunch of customers to take care of.
I ask them for overhaul of my horns and am always happy with the result. You will never be dissapointed.
RosewoodClarinet
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Author: The Doctor ★2017
Date: 2005-06-02 17:24
Rebecca - sorry about your babies. We all feel a personal attachment to our instruments. The Brannens have a very good reputation for excellent work. All small businesses with owners doing most of the work have stressed times when workload exceeds the available time and which may generate a hurried approach to customers. I have recently been chastised by customers who did not get their extra Vitamin M with their orders during the busy end of school rush.
We have had various threads about the best technicians - in the world, the U.S., and various geographic segements. You can read these for some hints. Mentioned in these threads is John Butler, a BB sponsor, friend, and a person that has done work for me with exceptional results. IMHO his work is superb at a very reasonable price even considering shipping.
Wishing a speedy recovery for your ailing babies.
L. Omar Henderson
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Author: susieray
Date: 2005-06-02 17:29
I second Omar's recommendation of John Butler; I have sent horns
to him that needed adjustments, etc, and he has gotten them done
quickly. He will only charge you for what needs to be done and he is very reasonable and honest.
Sue
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2005-06-02 17:40
Rebecca,
Very sorry to hear of your sick kids.
It's no consolation to you but I experienced this a few years ago.
For us it's important that the accident doesn't repeat itself.
I'm not sure who suggested it, but as I thought it was a great idea, I've glued a little bright yellow luminous strip of expanded foam just inside the front of my double case, so when the case is unzipped, you can see it's obviously OPEN as it stands slightly open and shows yellow. Even in the dark of a band pit !
Neither does it hinder the normal closing of the zips.
I felt really stupid the first time round. If it happens again and I've ignored my precaution, I 'll know my time to retire from active playing has come.
Hope you get some solace from a fellow sufferer and that like my instruments, they will play better than ever after surgery.
BobT
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Author: msloss
Date: 2005-06-02 17:53
Rebecca,
You might be better off communicating with Linda via email. Don't take a terse exchange for lack of interest. They are extraordinarily busy just taking care of their existing customers, so in all candor don't have to spend a lot of time cultivating new relationships. That is time better spent at the bench, and frankly that is where you want them -- working on your horns rather than chatting up the next prospective customer. Their work is excellent, and well worth your diligence in following up.
Good luck with it.
MS
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Author: rc_clarinetlady
Date: 2005-06-02 18:38
Thanks for all the great suggestions.
BobT,
I will definitely take your suggestion of adding a bright something to the case to let me know it's closed. I've been so very paranoid ever since this happened that I check, re-check and then check again to make sure that thing is zipped. I then hold it closed when I pick it up to make sure it doesn't mysteriously open some how! That's either very cautious or very paranoid!
ms,
I understand about the Brannen's being busy and I do think they have an excellent rep. for a reason. I did email her with what I needed done and she suggested I call so I did. Didn't get very far with that. I need to talk to her about what I need done and feel comfortable shipping my valuable instruments to her. They should understand that. My father was in business for 35 years very successfully and I saw how important customer service is. My instruments may not be all that important to their business and that's fine. They are to me so I will send them to someone who understands that.
Have you ever heard the phrase that a church is only one generation away from extinction? Well, businesses need to continue to cultivate new customers.....successfully....... or they will no longer have a business or reputaion to be concerned with. I'm quite sure the Brannen's don't fall into this category as they have a great reputation but they have lost this customer. I don't know much about their business but if they need to be on the bench then maybe a front person for the phones would be a good investment for their company. I just needed the appointment time, shipping info and a brief description of what I needed done. Not much time. She was getting something ready for some meeting and wouldn't talk to me. She could talk late in the afternoon only and I teach after school. Just a strange situation.
Omar and SusieRay,
I will check out John Butler since he comes with a great recommendation or two.
Thanks for the sympathy from everyone too. Somehow it makes it seem a little better. :(
Rebecca
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-06-02 19:48
500 bux each to fix... wha?
Rebecca, your babies took a tumble to a carpeted floor and the case jumped on the pile... so???
This happens more often than most folks are aware of and sounds like a minor adjustment at most, in my opinion -- and I've seen quite a few Bad Accidents in my time. Of course, any tech of any skill level would have to examine your babies up close and personal to determine the real 'damage', if any. Most shops I'm in contact with take care of your kind of "emergency" while you wait. The usual finding is that they can set things right within five minutes (the usual "freebie" time slot is less than 10/15 minutes around here). Even with key straightening and/or screw tightening, I can't imagine in my wildest dreams charging over ten dollars (US)... if that.
What ever happened to customer relations and good will favors? $500 estimates for ten dollar jobs is called "Gouging" in my hometown and casts a bad light on the whole repair industry. Although I strongly recommend local techs, who can work with you, in your case you may need to find a sane and sober repair tech in a neighboring town. How sad.
(...steps down from soapbox)
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-06-02 20:03
RC,
John Butler is outstanding, He has done several clarinets repairs for me and the service has been outstanding, prompt, and never more than was needed.
You can not go wrong. Call him, Fedex your babies to Houston, and rest assured that the children are in good hands.
HRL
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2005-06-02 20:13
Rebecca:
I sympathize. It really hurts to see that happen.
With that said, get your babies fixed but also consider a new case. I have the ProTec single case (haven't sprung yet for the double) and really appreciate the fact that it has "TWO" handles. Once handle on the lower section, one on the top section. If you forget to zip the case your instruments will not fall on the floor. They may redistribute in the case a bit but they won't crash to the floor as you watch in horror. I've only used this feature once but was really happy it was there.
I'm a big fan of my case. I have the large single that holds everything. The only down side IMO is the fact that the mpc/barrel are lined up and they can bump together a little if you aren't careful. The mpc cap of course prevents any damage but it's a slight deficiency in an otherwise very nice design. I think ProTec should have the barrel placed vertically which would leave room for two barrels & eliminate that problem. That's the only issue I have.
It's a great case. It doesn't have the name appeal of some cases but it does what it's supposed to do in very good fashion.
MOO,
Matt
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Author: Anon
Date: 2005-06-02 20:15
Tom Yaeh in Los Angeles is excellent. You can contact him thru RDG, Inc. His schedule can be very busy but I only trust my instruments to him. He is personable and very knowledgeable.
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Author: msloss
Date: 2005-06-02 21:04
First and foremost, the Brannens were not quoting $500 to do a $10 repair. The Brannens do not do $10 repairs, leastwise not for people who have not already had their instruments set up by them. They are craftsmen who prepare instruments for professionals. We've been through this ad nauseum before so I won't recount what they, Hirakata, Yan, Chadash and others do. In no way, shape or form is this gouging.
Rebecca, one of the luxuries of being extremely in demand is that you can do business on your own terms. How long do you have to wait to get a reservation at the best restaurants in New York or San Francisco? She was too busy to talk when you got her on the phone, and you were to busy to call her back when she was available. Sometimes this is just the way things work, so you move on to somebody who can work on your terms. Doesn't make them bad business people. They've established a mode of operation that works for them, and they'll have all the business they need until the day they retire and close up shop. I'm sure you'll get outstanding service from any of the techs mentioned in this thread, but let me just close by saying the Brannens' work is worth being a flexible client.
Best of luck. MS
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-06-02 21:11
Rebecca- I'll email you with a great repair lady in the KC area. She works on some of the Kansas City Symphony's players clarinets. She repaired the crack in mine and she is an all around sweet lady.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-06-03 00:31
....been over it all before, indeed we have as i recall.
... um-hmmm, y'all take the high road
and i'll take the low road
and find better ways
to spend four-hundred-and-ninety
dollar$$$$$$$$$$zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...
![[right]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie8.gif)
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Author: bflatclarinetist
Date: 2005-06-03 02:47
Sorry to hear that, that's the thing with those cases. In fact I have one but I always remember to zip it up.
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Author: msloss
Date: 2005-06-03 02:55
You get what you pay for. Nothing more and nothing less.
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Author: rc_clarinetlady
Date: 2005-06-03 07:27
Well,
At the time I needed a new case I wrote in to this board and asked what the very best double case was and it seemed as if it were a unanimous answer. BAM! And all the jokes that went with it.
I got one very quickly. I am very happy with it as it keeps my clarinets at a wonderfully constant temp even in the winter. Not much fluctuation due to the exceptional insulating qualities it seems to have but I think it would have been a good thing to have a double handle on it. This will never happen again. I only get burned once and then I learn. You don't have to hit me over the head twice. I was out of my normal routine that morning. Kind of like if you've ever locked your keys in the car. Something like that. I just didn't zip, zip and check. I got distracted and that's usually when accidents happen.
Like tonight. I was on my way home from my son's baseball game. It was about 11:15 on a dark, unlit road. Quite suddenly a deer ran out and into my car causing a fairly serious accident. I hurt in my back so bad tonight. I think the deer is in worse shape though. : ( I took a different way home and I sure wish I hadn't. Now all my babies ( two clarinets and Charlie, my Toyota) are injured. I think Charlie will cost more than my clarinets to fix. I appreciate all your good words and will use them wisely. I need a shoulder to cry on. Boo Hoo!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the responses and the emails. I appreciate you all. All opinions.
Rebecca
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2005-06-03 17:13
Rebecca:
I don't think most people consider the ProTec the best case. It certainly doesn't have the crushed velvet interior nor the brand expense of the best. What it does have is double handles that prevent accidents such as this, a very good cost/benefit ratio, and it carries lots of stuff. I've sung their praises a number of times on this BB already.
It sounds like you've had a rough go recently. Hang in there, things will get better.
Matt
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-06-03 17:23
I once had a case with one latch that was a problem. I ended up securing it with one of my old trouser belts.
Bob Draznik
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Author: clairannette
Date: 2005-06-03 22:52
You may also want to consider Rick Sayre, whose name I don't see mentioned here. He is just west of Chicago and is an extremely nice and easy person to work with and very reasonable. I had my clarinets overhauled by the Brannens a number of years ago and haven't gone back because of what you have mentioned. I know of many other clarinetists that have done that as well and ended up at Rick Sayre's. His website is www.sayrewoodwinds.com if you want more info. Good luck!
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Author: rc_clarinetlady
Date: 2005-06-04 01:24
Hi everyone. I have been asleep most of the day from the muscle relaxant they had me take for my back spasms from the deer accident last night. WHOA!!
Matt,
I think my stand partner may have the ProTec case but she has the double one. I am trying to remember if it has the double handle like you are describing.
Does anyone know if the ProTec double case has the double handles like Matt is describing?
Rebecca
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2005-06-04 02:20
Rebecca:
The photos I've seen show double handles. Check out the WW/BW site or try http://www.ptcases.com/items.asp?ProductID=259&InstrumentGroupID=8&CategoryID=2&InstrumentID=10 for a description of the case.
I'll stay out of the repair discussion!
Good luck,
Matt
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Author: pewd
Date: 2005-06-04 15:39
protec double case: zipper ; plus velcro flap ; plus double handles which velcro together ; plus shoulder strap
nice big outside accessory pocket
the only thing i dont like is the lack of inserts inside to hold extra barrels. there is a center slot about 1.5" wide that works for pencils, tuners, and loose stuff, but no insert specifically for barrels. i keep mine loose in the center slot
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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