 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Constantinos
Date: 2021-03-04 21:06
Hello guys,
I have received a new clarinet yesterday and once I opened it I found a superficial kind of scratch at the logo of the upper part. This came from Germany and getting it here nowadays with this Brexit thing I had to pay for customs import etc.
Do you think it is worth it mentioning it to the store I got it from (Thomann)?
What would you do in my case?
In addition, I found a few lines here and there and because this is my first wooden clarinet I am not very familiar if it is something natural or I should be worried about. Your input is very valuable.
Thanks in advance,
Constantinos
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2021-03-04 22:42
The little scratch diagonally across the bottom of the logo is unfortunate (the others don't seem too obvious in any meaningful way). But the important part is that the mechanics of the horn (and the condition of the pads.......sealing well and all). Given the extra inconvenience of international shipping, I'd say, don't sweat it. It is the sound that is most important and that it works for you in all the ergonomic ways.
If you had some split through the material that caused a loose post or worse a leak then that would be an issue worth looking for an exchange.
How does it play?
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2021-03-04 22:56
I would maybe try to get a little money back at least, if I were buying a new clarinet I would want it to look new. But maybe that’s just because I’m picky.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: m1964
Date: 2021-03-05 13:05
jdbassplayer wrote:
> I would maybe try to get a little money back at least, if I
> were buying a new clarinet I would want it to look new. But
> maybe that’s just because I’m picky.
>
> -Jdbassplayer
Agreed.
That scratch by the logo is somewhat deep too. The other ones look like wood grain.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2021-03-06 04:51
Funny, it looks like a composite body to me.
Constantinos,
Is this a wood horn?
..............Paul
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Author: m1964
Date: 2021-03-06 06:44
Paul Aviles wrote:
> Funny, it looks like a composite body to me.
>
> Constantinos,
>
>
> Is this a wood horn?
>
>
>
> ..............Paul
Yes, it is: https://www.w-schreiber.com/en/instruments/clarinet/d16/
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Author: m1964
Date: 2021-03-06 06:45
Paul Aviles wrote:
> Funny, it looks like a composite body to me.
>
> Constantinos,
>
>
> Is this a wood horn?
>
>
>
> ..............Paul
Yes, it is: https://www.w-schreiber.com/en/instruments/clarinet/d16/
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2021-03-06 06:56
Based on that first posted image they must put a lot of "something" on the outer surface of the horn. Notice the bumpy appearance? I know Buffet uses dye on their horns to darken them up. Maybe it's something like that.
The images linked in last post definitely look the way a wood horn should.........smooth; noticeable grain.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Constantinos
Date: 2021-03-06 18:36
Hello all,
Thank you for your replies. I am a new member of this forum and I feel so welcomed by having people around who are interested to give their opinion.
Paul, yes it is a wooden one. When I swabbed it after the first time I played it gave a bit of a colour on the swab. It also has a particular smell - it is my first time I got a wooden clarinet, and especially a german one. Hopefully it will not be a difficult transition from boehm to german (but maybe I will open a new thread regarding that, in the future).
I have talked to the customer service team and they said that they won't have another D-16 in house to replace mine until mid-April, hence I can only send it over and get a refund. Otherwise I can sent it over to their manufacturer's repair service to have a look. I am trying to figure out what is the best decision to make.
I have discovered another couple of flaws:
a) a worn out cork at the low E key
b) there is an uneven step between bell and lower joint (I was expecting a step but not an uneven one)
c) The low F# key touches the side of the key-guide and this makes a drifting/resistive noise
d) strange clarion D tone when released fast
I know, maybe I am perfectionist!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-03-07 02:15
"Based on that first posted image they must put a lot of "something" on the outer surface of the horn. Notice the bumpy appearance? I know Buffet uses dye on their horns to darken them up. Maybe it's something like that."
Schreiber typically give their wooden clarinets (and oboes) a black lacquered finish to make the joints look uniform. Buffet use an alcohol based dye on theirs (except the Prestige and above) for the same reason.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: OneWatt
Date: 2021-03-07 02:29
Based on the constellation of issues you've shared with a new instrument, I would also be inclined to return it. One doesn't have to be a perfectionist to find this series of issues to be sufficient to make it feel like a "used" clarinet experience.
Unless the dealer will offer you a significant "used" price adjustment, I would be sending it back and fish for another one.
Best wishes!
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Author: NetG
Date: 2021-03-10 01:01
I wouldn't buy a new car with a scratch in it - same with a new clarinet. They're pricey enough to expect mint-condition product (cars and clarinets both)..
Post Edited (2021-03-10 01:02)
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Author: Una
Date: 2021-03-11 00:18
When it comes to clarinets, I too am a perfectionist. If it were my clarinet, I would return it for a refund and reconsider my choice of clarinet.
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Author: Micke Isotalo ★2017
Date: 2021-03-11 01:08
To my eyes the photo from the lower joint bore seems to show a crack between two toneholes. If so, perhaps it doesn't go all the way to the surface at this stage, but at least for me it would be a future worry. I would also vote for a return.
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Author: Julian ibiza
Date: 2021-03-15 18:19
My wife got a new Yamaha 450 which she's been practicing on daily . While I understand that it's normal that the tenons of a new instrument tend to be a bit tight for a time and plenty of cork grease needs to be used , it's now been over two months and it's still so damn hard to separate the instrument that I'm afraid of gamaging the keywork . Am I right in thinking that by now the cork should have compressed as much as it's going to , and it's time it was sanded down to achieve an proper fit ?
Thanks in advance to any advice on this matter .
Julian Griffiths
Tel. 34 696 798 853
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-03-15 20:26
DO NOT SAND THE CORK!
Binding tenons aren't a cork problem and can't be resolved by slapping on cork grease like your life depends on it. It's the tenon rings binding in the sockets and you'll HAVE TO take it to a SPECIALIST woodwind repairer so they can refit the tenon rings (the wooden rings, NOT the cork) to achieve a good fit.
Cork compresses whereas grenadilla doesn't, which is why cork is ideal for gaskets which tenon corks are. DO NOT TOUCH THE CORK as the cork isn't the issue.
And before you do anything, don't reach for the 200 grit DIY quality sandpaper and attempt to do this yourself as you'll do more harm than good and it'll end up being a costly repair and invalidate any warranty if you do. I've seen many clarinet tenons damaged as a result of people sanding them down to make them fit, but then end up with loose and wobbly tenons which need to be sleeved which is a costly and an otherwise unnecessary operation had they left it as it was and had it dealt with properly.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Mr. Q
Date: 2021-03-31 19:37
I agree with Chris: do not sand the cork.
Tenons often fit tightly at first. Use liberal amounts of grease at first; the tightness should lessen with time. In the rare event that removing cork might be indicated, let a competent repair shop or the manufacturer make that decision. Cork can be especially difficult to put back once it has been sanded away, as well as running the risk that getting it just right today can mean the tenon will soon become leaky and need to be recorked, will fit really tightly again, and so on...
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