 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: RAL
Date: 2015-06-16 22:41
As I mentioned in a previous post, I had a shopping spree in that auction site, which resulted in four new for me - but not at all new - clarinets.
1) Travel clarinet: Jupiter 631. Supposed to be mint, was good but not mint. Price was cheaper than most similar model clarinets I saw. Really nice small case, I already took it to an overseas trip to NYC. This is the only one I have played. I guess it is OK, but not at all at the same level than my Noblet 45. It needs some adjustments.
2) "Learn to repare and restore" clarinet: Amati 201. I paid US$ 6.50 plus shipping for it, for a grand total of US$ 21.50. And I got more than what I expected. Will fully dissassemble it, replate the keys, etc... One day...
3) The "this should be a good one" deception: Ridenour 147. Was listed as "almost new". Smelly case, with oxidized flat springs, really soft and bent keywork. Foam inside the case is smashed and teared in several places. And, as it is rubber, I read that alcohol cleaning is not an option - I will really like to submerge it in alcohol for a full week, case included. And maybe light a match while still soaked... I complained to the seller, and got a US$ 20 rebate out of the US$ 63.50 I had paid. I will eventually clean and try it, but I think it is not a keeper...
4) The vintage surprise. B & H 2-20. As per the serial number, it should be a mid-sixties model. This looks like a fine built clarinet. It is in nice shape, does not smell, keywork looks solid and smooth, the box has a slightly damaged corner, but looks classy and well made. Looks better in direct than what the listing pics show. I really like it.
Time to stop shopping and start playing and repairing, though.
Post Edited (2015-06-16 22:47)
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2015-06-16 22:56
The 147's are a really varied lot. And perhaps they left the factory that way- some far better than others. I've had 2 (3? I forget) and they were different instruments. The first one I had was really good- comparable acoustically to my current (Ridenour) Arioso and the 576BC. Keywork was fine after some minor repairs. 2nd (and 3rd?) LOOKED better but had intonation issues perhaps introduced by previous owners or techs. I'm so glad for Tom Ridenour that he got good control of the mfg and finishing processes for his later models.
So- your 147 may be a jewel in the rough, or just rough.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
Post Edited (2015-06-16 22:57)
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-06-16 23:24
1. The Vito 7214 is a close cousin of the Noblet 40/45, with very similar bore design and key work. They are easy to find, inexpensive, respond well to a good fine-tuning and you might enjoy one more as a travelling companion to a Noblet 45.
2. I own both the Haynes Clarinet Manual and Tom Ridenour's DVD set on clarinet repair. You might find both to be valuable to you on the Amati project. I would not bother to replate the keys on an Amati. One of my section mates has an older Amati that is a fine player; I would not be surprised if you enjoy yours once it's back in service. After all, the previous owner(s) liked it enough to wear the plating off the keys...
3. The keywork on my Ridenour 576BC is also on the soft side. Treat your 147 with care! I scrub smelly hard rubber instruments with diluted Dawn followed by diluted lemon-scented dishwashing liquid.
4. I played B&H 1-10 (outdoors) and 8-10 (indoors) as my main instruments for a period of time. Quality control was variable on B&H clarinets, but if you can find one of the many good ones, you could have a treasure on your hands. B&H used excellent wood on much of its production that is remarkably resistant to cracking.
Good luck with your new acquisitions!
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Author: EaubeauHorn
Date: 2015-06-17 00:06
Off topic but do rubber instruments invariably become smelly? I was seriously considering a Ridenour for my eventual upgrade because I change temperature and altitude a lot and think wood would have a hard time.
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2015-06-17 00:36
Eaubeau - No, they don't. Any horn gets smelly if you mistreat it, put it away damp, don't swab it out, and pretty much be stupid with it. True - High quality hard-rubber stock has a unique fragrance, but I kind-of dig it.
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
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Author: BbMajorBoy
Date: 2015-06-17 01:46
Yours is better than mine, I ended up with a german system!
Leonard Bernstein: "To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time."
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2015-06-17 02:28
Off topic, but Ken- your signature cracks me up since you explained what it means... "I own several Flutes". Maybe I should buy a bassoon.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-06-17 06:14
I've five hard rubber clarinets and once owned a sixth, with some dating back to the 1950s--none of them have or had troubles with odours.
Some of the cases they came with smelled funky, however.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-06-17 07:00
I have several hard rubber clarinets. In the case of two of them I also have the same model in wood, so I can make a direct comparison. These are B & H Emperor and B & H Imperial. I prefer the sound to that of wood and there's no danger of cracking.
Tony F.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2015-06-17 18:12
At flea markets, I've looked at (and not bought) some hard rubber clarinets that did have a strong smell of rubber. In those instruments, the rubber had also turned greenish-brownish on the parts of the clarinets exposed to the air with the cases open. I'm reasonably sure that those dealers had been displaying those clarinets at outdoor flea markets, in the sunlight. The color change is sun-fading, and I think something about that direct exposure to sunlight also causes that smell of automobile tires or burning rubber to develop.
I own a couple of hard-rubber clarinets in better condition, without that fading. I think it's no coincidence that these clarinets with rubber that's stayed black don't give off that rubbery smell. I can tell it's rubber by rubbing it briskly with a finger and then smelling my finger or the spot where I rubbed, but the smell doesn't just jump out and assault me when I open the case.
Usually if a clarinet is dirty and comes in a nasty, dirty case, I advise washing the case and then leaving it to dry in direct sunlight, to kill the mold, mildew and germs, and I've also put metal clarinets out in the sun -- but I'd never recommend putting a rubber clarinet out in the sun that way.
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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