 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: wanabe
Date: 2014-07-03 08:58
How many of you out there work on clarinets and/or other instruments? I ask because I buy cheap instruments from various places and clean them up, refurbish them and then resell them or in some cases donate them to someone that will put them to use. I started doing this just over a year ago and I find it challenging and interesting. I started out basically just cleaning up a few that weren't in too bad a shape. I did a few flutes and one piccolo, but It took me about four months to finally screw up the courage to completely disassemble and repad a clarinet. I can't do it as fast as a fully trained technician can, but I do eventually get all of the parts back together and it will play just fine. Just this last weekend I did my first alto clarinet, a Bundy. I'm not too sure about a couple of the adjustments on the keywork, but it is all back together and looks pretty good. I'm having a friend come over and test play it for me. As I said, I'm just starting to learn the Bb soprano and don't have a clue what to do with the alto.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2014-07-03 10:12
Hi Jim.
I do pretty much the same thing as you. I've been a fix-it man of some sort all my life, on everything from aircraft, ICBM's, mainframe computers, commercial cleaning equipment and more recently, clarinets. In every band I've ever been associated with I always ended up as the guy who fixed the instruments, so it was a natural progression to move on to clarinets when I retired. I do the odd sax and flute as well, and have even done a few brass horns, although I don't know enough about them to be safe. I'm good with clarinets, though.
I have a natural affinity with things mechanical, if it doesn't work I can see why and fix it and it it does work I can make it work better. I started with my own instruments and then decided to buy and sell them. It's a lot of fun, and I get to work on some nice stuff. I've found this bb and the wonderful folk on it a source of information and inspiration, and I thank you all for the help you've so freely given.
Tony F.
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Author: kthln.hnsn
Date: 2014-07-03 10:40
I like fixing up clarinets as a hobby as well. I got my start when my clarinet needed to be fixed up and repadded when I was about 12. My family couldn't afford to get it fixed or repadded, and my school didn't offer any help in that area. So I took my eyeglass screwdriver, some glue (superglue, yeah that was a bear to clean up when I could afford actual pads later down the road!) and made up some makeshift pads out of band-aids (plastic side down and you'd be amazed at how well they actually sealed haha). And here I am now so many years later still at it with PROPER equipment now! I am currently working on a Buffet from the 30's and an Artist brand alto sax. I am trying to work up the courage to take on an old oboe I acquired in my first year of college, but all those little pads and keys are somewhat daunting to me
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Author: wanabe
Date: 2014-07-03 11:14
kthln.hnsn : That's a great story about your first clarinet and I can sympathize with you about "all those little pads...." That alto would have traumatized me, but I had a secret. I had two of them. Having a complete one to look at while assembling the other one made it easy, not so much about figuring out where the parts go, but rather for figuring out in what order to put things back on in. Still there were several times that I had to remove a part that I had just put on in order to get the screwdriver in to put on some other part.
Oh yeah. Acetone will dissolve that cyanoacrylate (superglue) in nothing flat.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2014-07-03 16:37
Hey Jim...I'm in the same boat as you. Been doing it for over 15 years now and still enjoy it. It has given me great admiration for the Pros who can make a profit at the business. I've just about got my Alto up to speed too.....the above "crow's foot" post came just in time.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2014-07-04 13:42
I was lucky to apprentice with a pro tech many years ago who was a stickler for perfection.
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Author: Johan H Nilsson
Date: 2014-07-04 14:07
I want to have full control on the instrument I play, so I do the service and check it frequently.
Post Edited (2014-07-05 02:47)
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