 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chalumeau Joe
Date: 2007-04-22 07:04
I live in the Baltimore/Washington area, and decided it's time my R13 get "overhauled" (repadding, recorked, thorough cleaning and polishing, fixing intonation, fixing a few chipped tone holes, etc. -- it really needs it, which has also been confirmed by my local tech). The tech I've been using is very good, and I intend to keep using him for minor work, but I'm nervous about giving him a shot at a big overhaul, since he's got a very small shop and limited capability, e.g., no machine shop.
The usual suspects for overhauls that keep popping up as being among the best in the business include Walter Grabner, Vytass Krass, and some folks local to me, such as Steve Fowler and Dave Spiegelthal.
Being in Maryland, I'm sure there are many other well-qualified techs within easy driving distance to do this work. However, should geography even be a consideration (FedEx goes just about anywhere)?
So,
1. Any personal recommendations or additions to the list I've already mentioned?
2. Does geography matter?
Thanks,
Joe
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-04-22 10:49
If you have a good and trustworthy repairer that is close enough for you to actually visit them it is better than shipping the clarinet. I would probably come both times (to bring the instrument and to pick it up) but you can ship it and then pick it up in person. Some things are better to do while you are there, like adjusting some keys and pad heights, etc.
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2007-04-22 14:49
Lee Lachman in College Park, MD does a very fine job of clarinet overhaul -- also plays some of the best jazz clarinet you would ever want to hear!
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Author: Chalumeau Joe
Date: 2007-04-22 14:50
Anybody know Wojtek Komsta in NJ? I searched the archives and found one positive reference from Ben Redwine; aside from that, there doesn't seem to be much else about him.
Joe
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Author: BelgianClarinet
Date: 2007-04-22 15:07
'small shop", no machine shop...
the most reknown clarinet repairer around here is in the same situation, but he still is the best there is.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-04-22 15:45
Provided they have the tools for the job, there's no real need for a lot of machine tools in most woodwind servicing and overhauls.
On clarinet overhauls I use very little machine tools - only my bench motor and a slot cutter (for cutting the slots in screw heads) at the most.
I sometimes use my pillar drill (with a table that moves horizontally attached to the base, a chuck on the left and an adjustable tapered centre at the other to hold a joint or a piece of keywork in) to mill out clearances in the body for keywork or flat springs and for drilling through key barrels on pinned steels before threading and pinning (as on oboe trills, C#/Eb and low B,Bb and Eb keys), and I only tend to use a lathe to do tenon work, and also for sanding down tenon corks - mount the joint between the centres, set it spinning at maximum speed and shape the tenon corks with abrasive paper.
But apart from that the only machine tool I use most of all is a bench chuck.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Chalumeau Joe
Date: 2007-04-22 16:27
Perhaps I'm overly concerned about the machine shop aspect; however, what brought it about was the tech told me that in order to fix a loose action problem, he would have to machine the modification on a milling machine...but since he didn't have a milling machine, he'd have to outsource that part of the job.
I'll definitely have to give Lee Lachman a call...he certainly seems to be the "go to" tech north of the Beltway in MD.
Joe
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-04-22 16:45
"the tech told me that in order to fix a loose action problem, he would have to machine the modification on a milling machine"
What kind of modification needs the use of a milling machine to solve a loose action problem? Most loose action problems can be sorted out freehand with little fuss provided the repairer knows what they're doing, and does a good job of it.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: LeeB
Date: 2007-04-22 16:46
<<<repadding, recorked, thorough cleaning and polishing, fixing intonation, fixing a few chipped tone holes, etc. -- it really needs it>>>
<<<Perhaps I'm overly concerned about the machine shop aspect; however, what brought it about was the tech told me that in order to fix a loose action problem, he would have to machine the modification on a milling machine...>>>
How far gone is this instrument? Is it blown out, too? Clarinets don't last forever. If it's at the point where it needs major surgery that's going to be a big investment, maybe it might pay to consider investing all the money you were going to spend on a new instrument.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2007-04-22 16:55
AFAIK, Steve Fowler is unwell and no longer working. Would love to read here that I am wrong about that.
I have heard good things about Lee, but I have never had the occasion to send him anything.
I don't think they get any better than Vytas Krass in South River, NJ. Everybody has something different that matters. For me, I don't care what the clarinet looks like but I want fine-tuning in the keywork ... no delays or different pressures required, etc. Maybe I just have weak fingers.
Vytas does keywork to perfection.
Bill.
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2007-04-23 05:36
I agree with Chris. I have a lathe, and use it only for tenon work and making tools.
I have a milling machine, and have never used it for work on clarinets, although I do the whole spectrum of clarinet work apart from re-reaming the bore, and major changes to manufacturer's voicing.
I don't even have a bench motor. My engineers quality pendant drill in conjunction with a dental micromotor unit - hardly what most people call machinery - do pretty well what the bench motor does, and a whole lot more besides.
I have a whole lot more machinery, but almost never use it on clarinets.
Most of my customers would not even know I had a comprehensive machine shop.
A milling machine is not needed for taking play out of any sort of clarinet pivot. However there is a wide range of specialised hand tools that could be said to carry out "milling" operations.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2007-04-23 13:26
I just had a full artist level (the works) overhaul from Tom Ridenour here in Texas and am very pleased with the work he did on my Symphonie VII. There are no noisy keys anymore and it sounds fantastic. Smooth key-action and a really nice job. It was just under $500.00.
You can look on his website and email him
http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com
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Author: Chris22311
Date: 2007-04-23 14:18
I heard some fine repairmen in this thread (just scrolling through). Why has no one mentioned Marc Jacobi? I don't get why all these threaders overlook the real greats of our century.
1. He's in Philadelphia (1 hour drive from baltimore)
2. He is considered one of the all time greats (ask Jon Manasse!)
3. Tutored by Moenig himself
4. He IS busy however...
Chris
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Author: GoatTnder
Date: 2007-04-23 18:01
Somewhat related, and I didn't feel like making a whole new thread for this question. I'm a fairly recent transplant to Los Angeles, and am in need of a good repair tech here. No damage, just a refresher. Names would be appreciated. Thanks.
-Andy Cabrera
a.l.cabrera@gmail.com
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Author: Philcoman
Date: 2007-04-24 20:35
Can't do better than Tom Ridenour! Also good -- Emilio Lyons in Boston. He works out of Rayburn's Music (http://www.rayburnmusic.com/rayburn_boston/index.asp), and is literally world famous yet extremely nice and helpful.
"If you want to do something, you do it, and handle the obstacles as they come." --Benny Goodman
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2007-04-25 11:48
Here in the Washington, D. C. area, I've had excellent work done by Peter Ferrante of Presto Brass & Woodwinds, 2219 Columbus St., Suite 302A, Arlington, VA 22207. 703-841-8335. He's reasonably quick on things like basic overhauls, but he's busy and major jobs can take awhile.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2007-04-25 13:15
Wojtek Komsta will be at Ben Redwine's clarinet day this Saturday, April 28 -in surburban MD so you could meet him and get his read on your instrument. Orsi & Weir are coming down from Canada with their wares too. Ben is a BB sponsor - look under mouthpieces for contact information. Vojtech did an overhaul for me (not cheap) but he is a very talented technician (Karl Opperman's apprentice) and professional clarinet player himself.
(Disclaimer - just a friend, no reimbursements given)
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
Post Edited (2007-04-25 13:22)
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