 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SJ
Date: 2006-05-19 06:21
What is the going rate on a quality clarinet overhaul? I was quoted $325 in my area. Not just a repad but the whole enchilada,corks,key swedging,polishing the bore etc.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-05-19 06:31
In my country all prices are very different to most other countries. But, the best repairman (who now went back to Bulgaria) was around $200 for an overall. One other repairman now charges about $350.
I'm not sure those prices help you though, because of the huge difference in our countries' economics.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2006-05-19 14:43
Many "name" shops quote $350-$500 for a "pro" overhaul --which presumeable will put a top line clarinet in top-line condition.
I had Muncy do a job on my Buffet for the upper part of this range. Perfect job --except that the tone-hole ring heights are a little high. My local tech (found after Boofy made her trip to the Muncys) thought that the Muncy job was excellent --particularly in the pad sealing.
The high rings encourage me to arch my fingers.
I later had David Speigelthal, of this board, go over the instrument again to adjust the tuning. His excellent work was (relatively) free compared to the Muncy re-build.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2006-05-19 20:57
The going rate around here (the Adirondacks of New York) is $200 for a complete overhaul. That includes key polishing, and springs as needed.
If you add cork pads or leather, the price goes up (things take longer).
If your clarinet is particularly old, a "Vintage" premium applies for the stubborn or frozen screws. Most techs charge about the same in the area, but the premium guys are booked, months in advance.
The others squeeze you in between School Band rescues...
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2006-05-19 23:58
I live in the Bay Area. I am having my vintage Buffet R-13 (1972) overhauled next week. Wally quoted me a price of $350. He is going to polish it, put in a new kind of pads, I forget what kind he said, clean out all the holes, do something with some almond oil. I thought the price was okay. It was about what I expected. I think in downtown Oakland the going price is $500 for an overhaul. Since this will be the first time the clarinet has been completely overhauled, it should really play like a dream when he is finished. I have had pads replaced, but nothing more than that. The wood is still very pretty. He is lusting after my clarinet, but there is NO WAY I would sell it!
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Author: punkinn
Date: 2006-05-20 01:00
I agonized over who to have do my pro overhaul on my 1977 R-13 for weeks and weeks.... and on a reliable recommendation, I finally decided on Tim Werkema, who is in Missouri (not my area), so I shipped my horn.
I was *extremely* pleased with the work done, which included everything as the instrument hadn't been played in 24 years; tenon corks, oil bath for the body, complete replacement of all pads (cork on top, high-end dbl. skins on the bottom), new keywork bumpers & adjustments, key polishing, resuface the tone holes, polish the bore and several other things I can't even remember now. It came back looking, feeling and sounding fantastic. The action and pad sealing is perfect, and the keywork completely silent. The wood was in great condition to begin with, and now it just glows. Tim is fantastic; I'd highly recommend his work.
Regards,
Nancy
Nancy Revelle
Arroyo Grande, CA
Fine Hand-Crafted Writing Instruments
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Author: b.roke
Date: 2006-05-20 02:12
my Couesnon Monopole is currently being o/hauled by Gordon(NZ) a regular contributor to this board. i was given the option of having the keys - nickel silver - polished along with a price and his opinion on the efficacy on my particular clarinet.
it was great to be given the option, price and opinion - i opted not to have them polished.
good communication is a key part of the whole process. as is trust - which comes with a reputation for excellent work.
all i want as a consumer is to get what i pay for.
steadfastness stands higher than any success
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