 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Late_returner
Date: 2019-02-25 14:41
Once in a blue moon I see fabulous clarinets advertised. For example I can remember ads for pairs ex Michael Collins, Alan Hacker and Gervase de Payer in recent years, and of course one or two respected makers supply new instruments said to be each personally set up by the master.
I havn't succumbed yet, but have been tempted.
My questions ... 1/ ok you would be getting a selected piece of wood / rubber (!) Etc, but assuming superb set up on such instruments, would this survive routine servicing by local capable , but not world class, techs ? 2/ is "very well used clarinets get blown out " regarded as a myth nowadays or as a genuine reality ? I seem to recall Jack Brymer saying a clarinet had 20 years life span.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-02-25 15:55
For me, it comes down to what YOU think of the horn once you try it. I wouldn't necessarily doubt claims of a Collins "picked" or "previously owned" horn out of turn (though I do tend toward cynicism) but that may mean the horn is more one way than another (brighter than darker, more responsive than resistant etc., etc.) and that may be in the direction you don't like. One might hope intonation is better but we approach intonation just as individually as anything else.
The blown out issue is interesting. I don't believe in the assertion that the clarinet "wears out." What happens is that it changes. The tone holes and bore will settle and warp out of round. A rather specialized repair person can do a lot to make things right on this score, but it still won't be what the original owner experienced at first. In that way I understand why performers prefer to replace horns after a certain period of time (not to mention personal taste and approaches changing over time as well!).
So there are great older horns and someone else could personally "pick" a great horn for you, but you ultimately decide that in the playing of it.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2019-02-25 17:09
A few years ago I was asked to have a look at a pair of Leblanc LL's that had been the personal instruments of a professional player that I had known for many years and who had long been a close friend. I had always admired his playing and the wonderful sound that he got from them. He'd had some minor surgery that prevented him from playing for a couple of weeks, which provided the opportunity to sort out some issues with them.
I knew that he wasn't a believer in maintenance, so I expected them to need some work. To my amazement I found them to be almost unplayable. They leaked everywhere, the joints were held together by plumbers tape and the keywork was way out of adjustment. He must have been compensating for their condition for probably years.
I pulled them down, did what was necessary and at the end had a pair of clarinets that were as good as any that I have come across. They felt good under the fingers, they played and tuned beautifully and they looked as good as I could make them. When I gave them back I felt a bit smug and quite pleased with what I'd achieved. He said that they were ruined, and that they felt lifeless and out of tune.
He did continue to play them and still produced the same wonderful sounds, but he never really came round to believing that they were better after my ministrations than before. He passed on a few years later and they went into the box with him.
Tony F.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2019-02-25 17:12
I agee with Paul. I may add that changing the barrel and even the bell can make a big difference as a clarinet "ages".
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2019-02-25 19:02
Hi Tony - great story! Maybe such thorough instrument overhauls should always be accompanied by similar overhauls of the performer, to maintain the match. Kidding aside, it takes me several days to a week of playing to get used to the response and tuning of my instruments after my yearly maintenance, which comprises much less than what a good serviceman would do.
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