Care and Maintenance

Buffet Crampon Clarinets

Your instrument is a valuable item, well worth your respect, care and attention.

This leaflet contains simple instructions on use and maintenance permitting the best use of your instrument. Please read it carefully.

Assembly of the instrument

Apply a small quantity of cork grease to the joint corks to facilitate the assembly of your clarinet.

Note: Cork grease has to be applied every time when the assembly is difficult. Never use force to avoid instrument from cracking.

Assemble the barrel and the top joint. Hold the top joint with the left hand and be careful not to damage the mechanism.
Assemble the bottom joint and the bell. Take care not to apply any excessive force to the keys.
Assemble the top and the bottom joints. Hold the top joint with the left hand as shown on photo 1b. Hold the bottom joint and the bell with your right hand as shown on photo 3a. Adjust the joints so that the keys are in line.
Put the mouthpiece on the assembled instrument. Then put the ligature and a reed on the mouthpiece. Note: Take care not to damage the mouthpiece top or the reed with the ligature. After playing, put the cap on the mouthpiece to protect it from damage.
Make sure that the stamps on the joints are in line.

Disassembly of the instrument

Disassemble in the reverse order.

Daily care

To prevent corrosion, wipe the key work with a dry polishing cloth after each performance.
Always use the Buffet Crampon case provided for the instrument. Too tight or too loose a case may cause bending of keys.
Under no circumstances use oil, solvents or anti-corrosive products.

Pitch

The pitch of a wind instrument is greatly affected by temperature.

The Buffet Crampon clarinet is designed to reach its pitch after being played for four minutes in a room with an average temperature of 20°C.

Pitch adjustment

When the barrel – top joint is pulled out:
The pitch of the instrument is lowered, especially the notes of the upper part of the top joint.
When the top joint – bottom is pulled out: The pitch of the instrument is lowered, especially the notes of the upper part of the bottom joint.

To prevent cracking

Do not play a new instrument longer than 30 minutes daily during the first month.
Avoid any rapid changes of temperature and humidity. For instance, do not leave the instrument in the blazing sun, out-door in winter, or near an air-conditioner or heater.
Apply cork grease to the joint corks.
Before putting the instrument back in the case, dry the bore completely with your pull-through (swab).
When these precautions are observed, no bore oil, etc. needs to be used to prevent cracks on a new instrument.

Note: Should any wooden instrument crack, it will never affect the intonation and tone quality if the instrument is properly repaired.

Use a swab

While playing the instrument, use a swab frequently (every 10 – 15 minutes). If water collects in the tone holes, bubbling and swelling of pads with consequent leakage will badly affect the performance. If so, dry pads with cigarette paper.
Note: Pass a swab through the barrel towards the bell. Otherwise, it can be caught by a tube protruding inwardly in the upper part of the top joint.
When the swab is soiled, replace it with a new one. If a soiled or a fluffy one resulting from over washing is used, dust may collect in the tone holes.
Do not put a wet swab in the case together with the instrument. The wet swab may cause rust on the springs and the discoloration of the keywork.