 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2016-10-03 20:09
Attachment: eB-72CS-161003-01.jpg (285k)
Attachment: eB-72CS-161003-08.jpg (219k)
Attachment: eB-72CS-161003-09.jpg (313k)
Yesterday I put in what I thought was a quite modest bid on a Yamaha 72CS in obvious need of some TLC... and I won it!
The clarinet was described as being in "rough" condition- as the photos indicate. Still, even though seller does not offer returns- I am covered by auction site policy since it was listed as "used" (i.e. in working condition) rather than "for repair or parts". But I anticipate being able to get it looking and playing great with relatively little effort, and I'll get professional tech help if I need it.
And then- how will I like it compared to my Arioso (= Lyrique 576BC)? My plan is it's secondary backup, but that could end up reversed. Seems unlikely to me that I'd actively dislike it- but if so I expect I could resell after I get it looking like a million bucks- at something of a profit.
And there are 2 mystery mouthpieces. Junk? I doubt it. Always fun to try something new- and if high end, also worth $$ on that auction site, further reducing the net cost to me of this instrument.
Stay tuned to this station.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
Post Edited (2016-10-06 21:12)
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2016-10-03 20:18
Good catch! It would take very little to get it into top condition.
Tony F.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-10-03 20:20
Bin the padsavers for a start - they're only of use on saxes and not clarinets.
It's got potential, so strip it down and start again from the ground up.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2016-10-03 20:54
Has the look of a clarinet well loved and enjoyed- and taken care of- that was abandoned and poorly stored for years. Couldn't be all that long though, this model was manufactured 1988-1994 per Yamaha site.
I always wish old musical instruments (and cameras) could tell you their stories. I'd even like to have a way to retrieve and hear the old music and see the old photos (maybe).
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: donald
Date: 2016-10-04 04:55
To be honest, I don't see anything in those photographs that identifies it as a YCL-72CS
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-10-04 05:03
It's got the pro model RH pinky keys (with tails), two-part crow's foot (wire with Pac-Man on the end) and solid nickel silver bell ring. The trill keys also have bevelled uprights under the touchpieces instead of square.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2016-10-04 05:05)
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Author: donald
Date: 2016-10-04 05:15
Wasn't that just the standard Yamaha pro keywork from the YCL82 "Custom" and the non-custom model that went with it (can't remember the number, 62?)? I'm sure you know better than me, but no photo shows logo or model number... The YCL 72s I saw in USA in the mid 1990s didn't have CS on them or the "Custom" logo, and I recall some speculation they were the same as the 82-11 sold elsewhere...
I bow to Chris however- detailed observations more reliable than my recollection
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2016-10-04 06:21
The Yamaha site says YCL-72 was 1985-87, and then YCL-72CS 1988-94.
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical-instruments/winds/clarinets/bb-clarinets/ycl-72cs/
Sadly, I am not finding photos of a good specimen for comparison. I'll post plenty of this one- however the story goes good or bad- starting soon after UPS delivers it tomorrow.
I am hoping that poor photography has made it look worse than it really is. Wouldn't be the first thing- or person- that happened to.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
Post Edited (2016-10-04 06:30)
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Author: TomS
Date: 2016-10-04 08:09
Back in the mid-1980s, my clarinet teacher (George) had a really old R13. I mean, just plain worn out! Being open minded and fair, and not insecure at all, he evaluated everything ... kept coming back to Buffet, and I thought he was gonna purchase a new one ... Suddenly, George appeared sporting a new Yamaha YCL-72 ... and apparently loved it! And, he sounded great!
Tom
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2016-10-05 04:56
Attachment: DSC08137s.JPG (322k)
Package arrived today- the Yamaha case was simply wrapped in plastic- no box- no padding. Not a nice way to treat even a cheap instrument, certainly not a nice one.
On opening the case I found it just as pictured, no better, no worse. A Yamaha 4C mouthpiece (broken), a Beechler mouthpiece, a bunch of Rico 3.5 reeds, Rovner dark and Bonade inverted ligatures. Not the equipment I would expect of a high end player, but I could be wrong about that.
I carefully wiped the clarinet parts with a damp soft cloth. I ran a clean swab through them. I applied just the tiniest amount of bore oil inside. (I know some of you eschew bore oil- others of you would immerse it for a month before playing it, LOL. I just was not willing to start playing a bone dry clarinet without at least giving it a little bit of oil. It made me feel good- like I was feeding a lost kitty cat.) I also wiped the outside of the wood with a bore oil moist cloth (really just a trivial amount)- and I know now I have really parted ways with some of you. But it made it look better, and the wood looked SO neglected...
By now I had had a pretty good look at pads (not bad) and key function (mostly pretty good). I had noted LH F/C was locked up, ditto the register key. So I applied a bit of 3in1 oil to both. The F/C didn't let go until I loosened the screw, then it was fine. The register key, however- I worked on a long time. Really wanted to remove it, but the screw was frozen- with evidence others had tried to loosen. And what oil I could get in there wasn't helping. Register key was either OPEN or CLOSED. I decided to close it and try a suction test. Not bad! So upper joint should be playable or close to it with just a register key fix.
OK- what about the lower joint? Suction test was a bust, no seal at all, so I went looking. I thought the Ab/Eb key was bent (would not close), but later I found an errant spring under the pad, easy fix. Now lower joint suction test also not bad. It's 2 AM- too late to play test. Jury is still out.
Any quick fixes for that frozen register key?
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
Post Edited (2016-10-05 10:09)
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2016-10-06 07:33
I worked on the register key again this afternoon- not too aggressively, didn't want to make it any worse. WD40 and every screwdriver at my disposal, maybe a trip to Ace Hardware would have been smart. Anyway, I never got it freed up, never assembled the clarinet, never tooted a note. Seller OK'd a return (even offered $100 partial refund to cover repairs) so I'm sending it back. I'm in too much real need of a playable backup clarinet to risk the unknown.
Chris- you were right. This clarinet needs a full strip down, complete overhaul with some or all keys replated. And it's probably worth it- the wood looked fine though neglected. Like an old car, though- a real chance it would not sell for a high enough price when "like new" (perhaps $1000?) to cover what it would cost to get it that way. I hope somebody does it- so sad to see a fine instrument go to waste.
Back to the old drawing board...
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2016-10-06 09:17
That register key looks awful, Stan--not just the eaten-out screw, but the gouged plating and possibly dislodged post are cause for concern. Glad you're sending it back.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2016-10-08 00:06
Stan,
This looks like it is no longer a DIY project. Isn't there a good woodwind tech in Orlando that can make short work of this? If all else fails, I can give the name of someone you can send it to. This has the potential of being a very fine clarinet. And you got it for a bargain price.
HRL
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2016-10-08 01:37
Hank- all true, and I know good techs. If I'd had no option to return I think I would have done fine. Perhaps if I'd assembled it and played best I could with frozen register key, I'd have fallen in love with it. It was kind of a close decision anyway. But for $300 or less I'm pretty sure I can eventually end up with a mid-line Yamaha in good solid condition- ready to play or close to it. Or my other option is a Leblanc/Vito VSP, which should basically be a grenadilla version of my Arioso (wouldn't that make it a G-1?). I've also been offered a couple of hard rubber Pruefers- sounds intriguing. I had a good YCL-61 years ago, just looking for something in that league. Returning this one was the most prudent option.
As I said in my original post here, perhaps a mint YCL-72CS would not ring my chime anyway, so to speak. I count it as a blessing that we don't all like the same things.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
Post Edited (2016-10-08 01:39)
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