Lafayette (Couesnon) Bb LP clarinet

Here's a fantastic instrument I just finished up recently.  Its stamped Lafayette Paris but I'm pretty sure its a Couesnon product.  

The wood on this one is incredible!!  I've worked on many old clarinets and I'm always awed by the ones that come through that have wood that is obviously chosen with great care and of superior quality.

This instrument is Bb and LP (low pitch).

The key setup is the simper variety without rings on the upper section and no rollers on the lower section.

This setup is favored by such players as Greeks as it allows for even great flexibility in smears and micro tonal playing with the absence of the the upper rings.  Its very free blowing and lipping up and down is quite easy and fun.

The clarinet in the picture is all wood and has no cracks anywhere.  

The keywork was already super tight and the plating was excellent!  This baby had little usage.

Once I was done with this I was floored by its playability and sound.  This is an excellent clarinet that will soon be going to a new home!

Triebert Bb LP Albert system clarinet

This is the first Triebert I've worked on.   From the research I've done this was a separate Parisian firm that eventually was taken over by Couesnon, another fine French maker.  My feeling is this very well could be a Couesnon product, which is a good thing, they make great stuff!

The clarinet has the common key setup of rings on the upper section and rollers for the lower pinky keys.
Interestingly enough, the bell and barrel are hard rubber but the body sections are wood!  I'm positive they are original.
The clarinet is pitched in Bb and is LP (low pitch).

This one was well played, alot of the keys needed swedging!
I did what I typically do with old clarinets which is really what most would call a refurbishment, but with some extras.
I strip the instrument down, oil the wood over the course of a few days.
I don't have a buffer so I polish keys by hand.  The upside of this is that I can keep key cork that is otherwise in fine useable shape.  I'm not one to get crazy over shiny keys anyway.   Not to mention that cork is expensive,  why waste it if its doing its job, just to run the keys through the buffer?
I almost always fully repad with the leather pads from Ferrees except in rare cases where the pads on the instrument are ok.
I check for key play, keys are swedged or pivot screws countersunk so everything is tight.
Cracks are repaired if there are any.
On reassembly I play the instrument and check for cork/key adjustments.

This old Albert system clarinet has now been re-homed!

Greetings, and a little introduction!

Howdy folks!  I've set up this blog as a way to share some of the fantastic musical instruments that I get to work on.
I've been dabbling in fixing musical instruments for years, starting with my own drums and then with other people's drums while I worked at TradeUp Music in Portland Oregon for 6 years.  During that time I also started doing minor repairs on horns, and after moving around the country a bit and managing to pick up some tools and knowledge along the way, I'm now able to do more than ever!

There's a deep satisfaction that I get by restoring an old instrument that has been unused for many many years.   The first air I put through an instrument after its done is really a magical moment!

At this point I really specialize in clarinets as that's what I have the most experience in and what I play the most of (besides drums).

I am able to complete basic repairs on all woodwinds, brass, and strings.  And as I continue to pick up more tools and know how I'll be able to do more and more.

As well I buy/sell horns and other musical instruments.

Its music all the time here folks!!