Clarinet Refurbishing Advice Please

3650 Views 10 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Gordon (NZ), Nov 12, 2011

prezden

Discussion Starter · Nov 5, 2011

I am thinking of trying my hand at refurbishing old clarinets. From my side this is a retirement hobby- I have no delusions about making a living doing this. I've always enjoyed working small wood projects and more recently stereo electronics and I love playing the clarinet since I started 9 months ago.
My question is - What is a good clarinet to start on. One that will not present any weird complications. That is reasonably straight forward with parts readily available. I was thinking B&H or Noblet or Selmer Signet. I am playing a Signet, but I don't know if that's much of a consideration. Cost to buy an instrument is certainly an issue my pension doesn't stretch very far. That's why I'm considering these horns.
I would certainly appreciate any advice you folks might have [rolleyes]

cheers- preston

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prezden

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 5, 2011

I'm not sure I have the correct terminology. What I am hoping to be able to do in time (not without some trial and error) would be to replace pads and corks, clean the wood, polish the keys and set up the instrument so it sounds as good as I can make it. I realize it takes years, and ideally training with a master to get it right, and I may never get there. It's the process that intrigues me.

cheers- preston

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prezden

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 5, 2011

Thanks bandmommy- So it doesn't really matter what make one works on. I'v been looking on e-bay and there a quite a few of the French stencil horns selling for under $100. Would these instruments make good overhaul pieces providing that the wood and keys etc. are in good condition?

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prezden

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 11, 2011

Thank you every one for you advice. I really appreciate it. I have started work on an old Martin Freres Bb that I picked up through the local Craig's list. I didn't realize that it had a missing rod screw and a couple rods that are a bit bent. It's going to be a bit more of a project then I wanted for my first one but that's ok. I learned a lot taking all the keys off. Several of them I took off and put back on a few times to get a better sense of how it all goes together. It's really quite amazing how they are made, but I imagine that you already know that.

Thanks again!

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