 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: santosa77
Date: 2014-08-08 06:31
Hello!
I used to play clarinet and after a loong hiatus am getting back into it! I am grateful for the resource this board is -- I have been reading old posts for some time now -- and from your previous posts y'all helped me decide on my new instrument: I recently purchased a used Leblanc Sonata on eBay. It seems to be in good condition but I think it could benefit from a tuneup -- maybe springs are loose or some keys bent and the barrel ring is loose. I don't think it needs major work, but I would like someone who really knows what they're doing to optimize it.
The Brannens took care of my previous set of clarinets but I now live in the Upstate of South Carolina and I am interested in finding someone local, if possible. I have seen Muncy Winds mentioned here, but they are still 2.5 hours from me. Can anyone recommend a technician somewhere in the Greenville-Spartanburg area or is Muncy my best bet?
Thank you!!
Mary
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-08-08 13:23
Having grown up in Chicago, I always thought any major city would have one or two really great repair people around (I used Brannen a lot). But having moved around the country quite a bit I have found out that Brannen and Gordon where the exceptions in the country.
Yes, you need see Phil Muncy.
...........Paul Aviles
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2014-08-09 00:08
I have met several members of NAPBIRT when they visted and gave first rate clinics in the UK.
I cannot believe that there are not a reasonable number of very competent techs out there in the USA who are capable of doing first rate work on clarinets.
I suspect that just as there is a Buffet mafia in USA there is a somewhat similar Brannen et al mythology.
I'm sure Brannen etc do first rate work (and if you are CSO material they may be your preference) but they cannot be uniquely alone in the repair business.
When I lived in Raleigh NC 1968-70 there was a good tech at Burrage Music but I suspect both he and they have now retired.
Post Edited (2014-08-09 00:11)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-08-09 06:19
Well, let me elaborate MY experience to explain. I am a bit finicky, and I do perform minor, necessary repairs myself. When I require work that requires global attention (full repadding; total overhaul) I like folks who can install a variety of different pads upon request and folks who are keen about the artistry of spring tension (which, for my money, is the MAIN reason to Brannenize a horn).
I have found a wonderful repair person in Louisville Kentucky, Miles Davis (no, not THAT Miles Davis) of Miles Ahead Music, and a great repair tech in Nashville Tennessee, Jonathan Onks (who is an oboe guy who only recently started repairing clarinets).
On the OTHER HAND, I could NOT find a single repair person in Atlanta, GA I would use for overhauls. Having a larger population (and obviously more clarinetists) doesn't equate to having the resources.
I might have missed something, but I always inquire with the local, hot clarinet players to find "my guy." In Atlanta, as with many other places too numerous to mention, the local clarinet players sent their horns off for repair.
And just to put a fine point on the plethora of underwhelming repairers, I once needed an emergency repad of my "A" key, preferring cork over a standard pad. The store I went to was a brass specialist but they had a general repair person who worked on woodwinds. When I got the clarinet back, I could barely even open the "A" key. It was explained to me that the repair person put the clarinet on their "pressure test" machine, and calibrated the spring tension accordingly. This sort of nonsense is in abundance!
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2014-08-09 11:18
I asked about repairers on the repair forum. You can email and me and I'll let you know. I prefer not to mention anyone because I don't have experience with any of them. They were mentioned/recommended by other repairers on the forum.
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