 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jrcolburn
Date: 2023-03-05 04:01
Attachment: IMG_0572.png (1216k)
I recently purchased a Selmer Presence Bb Clarinet from online. I understand that it is somewhat risky given that you cannot play it before you buy it. However, I got a good deal on the instrument. The instrument plays well overall but, there is a spot on the inside of the bore of the upper joint. I think it may be a defect in the wood that made it past quality control. If I care properly for the instrument and do not subject it to rapid temperature changes, will the wood still be likely to crack more in the future? Should this spot change the sound of the instrument currently? Thanks. I have attached the image of the spot. The image is zoomed in so it may appear larger than it actually is.
Post Edited (2023-03-05 04:05)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2023-03-05 06:21
Before seeing the image I was all prepared to say that rough spots are not usually an issue. I've had some pretty deep grains in my Selmer 10G of old.
But.........
That looks like something that needs to be addressed such as replacement upper joint (Selmer Paris should back their product).
Of course I will defer to the pro repair folks on the Board.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: Julian ibiza
Date: 2023-03-05 12:27
Gosh!....looks like a patched-up dugout canoe. I would NEVER have guessed that that image was of the bore of a Selmer . How could that ever have passed quality control ?
There are also other irregularities visible I believe .
I'm curious to hear the verdict of the forums real experts .
Julian Griffiths
Tel. 34 696 798 853
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Author: Julian ibiza
Date: 2023-03-05 13:27
Ps.
Dare I ask if you bought the horn from Aliexpess ?
Julian Griffiths
Tel. 34 696 798 853
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-03-05 20:20
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/download.html/1,7861/IMG_0572.png
Natural flaws like this aren't seen until they're uncovered when machining the joints or in this case, when the bore was reamed up to the finished dimensions. And with this defect being that far inside the top joint, chances are it wasn't spotted at the time and carried on through production.
The location of it is definitely a concern as water will collect in there and that could cause that section to lift over time. There's most likely some sort of decay within that hole which will get worse over time and end up causing a leak if it goes through to the outside. If it was on the surface, you'd easily see just how soft and decayed the wood in these defects can be once you start excavating it.
It's not an easy fix - the decayed section could be drilled out, plugged with a grenadilla plug and smoothed down where it meets the bore, although it's much easier and better to replace the top joint.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2023-03-06 00:36
I'd request a replacement instrument from the seller...
or ask for a discount (if you would accept the defect).
How does it play? Is it is it in tune? Do you like the tone?
I have a suspicion (my own opinion, not that I have any proof) that the small dealers get first shot at picking clarinets from the warehouses, then what is left is sent to WWBW, Sam Ash, etc.
Post Edited (2023-03-06 00:40)
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Author: jrcolburn
Date: 2023-03-06 01:04
I did not buy the clarinet from Aliexpress. I purchased it from a music store out of Washington state that mostly sells refurbished, open box, and some new instruments. I have already reached out to Conn-Selmer through email but they have not responded yet probably because they are only open on weekdays. Overall, the instrument seems to have decent intonation but does seem flat in the altissimo. The tone is good and overall the feel of the instrument is good. If I return the instrument to the music store, I do not think that they have another comparable instrument to replace it with for the money I spent on this one. I am not sure how Selmer's customer service is and if they will likely be willing to replace the instrument.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2023-03-06 02:04
I believe there should be a warranty that covers replacing the top joint. A far better option than living with it until it develops into a serious problem OUT of warranty.
…………..Paul Aviles
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2023-03-06 06:57
Would it be okay to ask how you took that photo? I'm really impressed that you could get a light and a camera lens in there at the same time, and focus.
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Author: jrcolburn
Date: 2023-03-06 07:44
Haha, I was able to hold the clarinet up to a lamp and place my phone camera lens on the opposite end of the bore. Unfortunately, I had to crop the photo which caused it to be more zoomed in so the quality is not as good as the original photo.
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2023-03-06 18:07
That's nice work. :-) My proper job is as a macrophotographer and I'm really impressed by the lighting, and the quality of the image.
The little hole in the clarinet makes me think of dentists, but I don't know if they do clarinets. LOL!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2023-03-06 22:36
Actually zooming in with crop doesn't change the resolution of the original picture - it just looks like it does :D The pixels just get bigger and then appear more blocky, and when they were sized with the whole picture they got "blurrier" and appeared smoother. Our eyes play lots of tricks with us
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Author: m1964
Date: 2023-03-07 22:15
Paul Aviles wrote:
"I believe there should be a warranty that covers replacing the top joint. A far better option than living with it until it develops into a serious problem OUT of warranty."
Then he would not have the same clarinet he has now, because it it impossible to say how well a replacement joint will tune, etc.
There was a reason the instrument was discounted...
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Author: ruben
Date: 2023-03-07 23:45
The big question is: can they be brought back to life? How?
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-03-07 23:59
The old top joint with the defect in the bore can always get a new life by being turned into grenadilla dust and used as filler.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: mk
Date: 2023-03-11 15:38
Be concerned only about the defective product of which you might not get a refund. It looks like we are running out of african blackwood. Maybe we can find some new wood sources on a parallel universe
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