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Can't bring myself to sell my first clarinet.

Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2013-04-18 00:51

I'm going on vacation with my family, and long drive times are part of the plan. I took out my old Malerne stenciled as a Chas Ponte made or sold in 1968, and played it back to back with my other clarinets. The instrument was overhauled over a year ago, the wood is beautiful and there are no scratches or cracks. The key work looks almost brand new and there are no leaks in the top section and only a tiny, minimal leak in the lower. (Two techs have failed to find it though). The instrument is very playable and I wouldn't feel bad about bringing it along with me the way I would with my Buffet or my Yamaha Custom. Still the horn is somewhat stuffy and the tone never pops nor glows the way my other two horns do. I can't believe I loved this instrument 40 plus years ago, but I did. The last time I took off two weeks, due to a horrendous cold sore cluster, it took me three days to recover and I enjoy playing quite a bit, so I want to have a horn I wouldn't worry about. I wouldn't dare lug my other horns, nor would I risk getting a crack in them. Sometimes I wish I could just find a deserving student who would give me $100 and love the Ponte as much as I did. Other times I can't imagine being without it. There is always the hope that some tech could tweak it enough to make it really sing, but I also can't imagine spending any more money on it than I already have. What to do?

Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com

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