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Sloppy Repair

Author: altoclarinet25
Date: 2008-06-23 02:54

Hello Bboard,

I just got my horn back from an overhaul that included a small crack repair. Everything feels and sounds great but the way the crack was repaired is a little unsightly. The general area of the crack has super glue all over it. The repair tech’s reasoning is “if it sounds good, who cares how it looks.” I agree but it is a little disheartening to see gobs of super glue on my $3500+ investment. Is there any reasonable way of cleaning up the glue without damaging the wood surface or the crack repair?

Thanks
AltoCl

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Re: Sloppy Repair

Author: Merlin_Williams
Date: 2008-06-23 03:22

Most techs I've seen will file/sand the super glue flush with the body, leaving the crack almost invisible.

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Re: Sloppy Repair

Author: pewd
Date: 2008-06-23 03:46

take it to a different tech, good crack repairs should be almost invisible, as merlin says

- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas

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Re: Sloppy Repair

Author: Ryder
Date: 2008-06-23 04:02

I've always heard that a crack repair should be almost un-noticable because they mix wood dust in with the glue, pin te crack if necessary and fill the res with the glue mix, then sand and polish it.

So I second the suggestion of taking it to someone else who hopefully specializes in clarinet or oboe crack repair

____________________
Ryder Naymik
San Antonio, Texas
"We pracice the way we want to perform, that way when we perform it's just like we practiced"

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Re: Sloppy Repair

Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-06-23 04:20

Altocl,

In complete agreement with the advice above, I would suggest that you put to use one of the many fine repair tech's that are in the Chicago area.

Sayre or Brannen spring to mind immediately, and I'm sure that there are several others that can make the cosmetic adjustment that you deserve.

I would only add that I've never had a crack repaired in which the tech was so cavalier as not to "clean it up". Based on their attitude alone (as you describe it) I would take the horn to be cleaned up and I would ask the technician to evaluate the work done to make sure the crack was repaired properly.

I'm glad to hear that your horn is playing well!

James

Gnothi Seauton

Post Edited (2008-06-23 04:20)

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Re: Sloppy Repair

Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-06-23 13:56

Totally unacceptable. I wonder if your tech would have let it go for a professional player, especially one in a major orchestra or known teacher. He-she should be ashamed of themselves. You should let us know who it is so no one else has to deal with them. ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
(Listen to a little Mozart, recorded live)

ESP eddiesclarinet.com

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Re: Sloppy Repair

Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2008-06-23 15:29

Yes, unacceptable, unless you asked for a very cheap job.

By far the most time consuming and skill-demanding part of crack repair, is cosmetics.

BTW, some clarinets (mainly cheaper ones) are painted with a grain-filler, yellow-timber-hider, that is dissolved by superglue, until it sets again - messy. These need extra care and experience for a good result.

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Re: Sloppy Repair

Author: altoclarinet25
Date: 2008-06-23 18:05

Thanks for the replies.

I'm glad to see that I'm not overreacting. I have already taken it to a different tech who says he can make it look better.

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