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Re: What makes for consistency

Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2021-09-23 20:15

I have to put in a word for the "cottage industry."

Back in the 70's and 80's Bill Brannen made quite a name for himself beyond the boundaries of the Chicago metropolitan area by offering his "overhauls" that came to be known as Brannenization. What that was though was MAINLY getting a really workable, consistent spring tension going across the horn. For example, a lot of horns come with really tight "sliver" keys. There's no need for that. Then the rings only have to be tight enough to spring back up with a little authority. Then Brannen coupled that (and other spring tension anomalies) with a heavy weight key oil. This made everything feel (and play) buttery smooth. Couple that with all the pads at the top in cork (a Moenigization) and custom triple skinned pads at the bottom and you had a much better horn no matter how well it came from the factory.

So it's not so much that Buffets are that pathetic off the shelf (though they often seem to race to the bottom on that score) but rather that the pickier clarinet players wanted their horns "suped up."

......................Paul Aviles

Post Edited (2021-09-24 00:21)

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