New stock arriving all the time!

Instruments now awaiting preparation in the workshop include –

Buffet R13 Greenline B flat, Leblanc Esprit Bflat, Ridenour Lyrique B flat

If you haven’t tried ARCS for yourself why not read what this month’s customers have had to say…..

There is no other Clarinet technician that creates, modifies, and repairs instruments to such a high standard as Andrew Roberts.

I have been using ARCS for a number of years now, and every time I return, the quality of my instrument increases exponentially. Andrew integrates new and innovative ideas into his work. He uses his experiences as a professional player as a basis to create unique styles of clarinet modification, which directly responds to the growing needs and demands of the twenty first century clarinettist.

I have yet to find any other clarinet manufacturer or technician that creates a result as this; playing has become enjoyable again. I no longer feel restricted by instrumental limitations. From new pad material to barrel manufacture and extremely high standards in his work, Andrew endeavours to do all he can for his clients. My own playing has been taken to a level I never thought possible. I would recommend ARCS to anyone and everyone!

Emma Haughton

Freelance clarinettist

I got to try my clarinet late yesterday evening, playing through some scales, arpeggios and so on.

I am very pleased by everything you have done, and also very surprised by the difference in quality of the clarinet. It is now better than ever, truly amazing, and such a wonderful experience to play, it’s so quiet! There is hardly any “mechanical” sound from it all now, so I presume that must be because of the new pads. The throat b flat is also better than ever; perfectly in tune and clearer than it’s ever been. Overall the clarinet seems just so much smoother and somehow “easier” to play than before, with quite an extraordinary response. As far as I can tell it’s better than it’s ever been, and certainly by far the best clarinet I have ever played.

Thank you so very much for the work you have done on it. I honestly hadn’t expected my clarinet ever to be as good as this!

Pathik Strand

Andy is a genius….

He has once again made my clarinet feel like it works even better than a new one.

I have been struggling when playing my clarinet recently, so I sent it to Andy, I will not let anyone else touch it, he said it was losing 40% of its air tight seal! He has worked his magic, fixing a crack and replacing a tone hole and fitted his new pads and it now feels amazing and so much easier to blow. Thanks Andy

Sally Harrop

Principal Clarinet Orchestra of the Swan & Clarinet tutor at Birmingham Conservatoire

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Having put up with incredibly noisy keywork and other mechanical hinderances for quite some time, I knew my clarinets needed some serious attention. My main fear was that in making improvements, the character of my instruments would be changed irreversibly. I saw Andrew’s work on other instruments, and finally took the plunge with my own. I’m so glad I did. As a performer himself he completely understands the requirements of the individual, and sets about finding solutions that work for you. His approach yields fantastic results, blending the knowledge of a master craftsman with a skilful and experienced performer. Playing is now so much more enjoyable with my “new” instruments. Thanks Andy!

Andrew Mason

Clarinet Opera North & ABRSM Examiner

 

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Andrew Roberts Clarinet Service developments

Our latest development is in the wooden crooks for the Leblanc Basset Horn.

Following on from the barrel concept of retaining more of the energy in the tube with thicker walls, we have produced two prototypes, soon to be fully on  test in Opera North’s production of Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier!

Both offer a tapered bore for improved intonation. Two different woods have been tried African Blackwood and Cocobolo, they offer a similar improvement in tuning and a different range of colours in the sound with a fuller depth and easier control.

Prototypes of several designs of barrels have been undergoing trials in the last few months and we expect them to be available on request

Models for the E flat Bflat and A clarinet will be available in custom designs, here are some of the results so far including the latest test in Boxwood

Currently these barrels are being played by several Principal Clarinettists in the UK….watch this space

 

C#/G# improvement

Continuing with the development of the clarinet ARCS can now offer some significant upgrades to most clarinets. The improved C#/G# is achieved by repositioning and enlarging the tone hole making the note much clearer and less sharp. Please call for details of this customisation option.

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So what is pad mite?

Conventional pads are constructed from either thin leather or fish skin, stretched over felt and cardboard, or if you are a pad mite, food!

Once these little bugs have found their way into your case/instrument they need to be dealt with pretty quickly before the risk of infection becomes serious. There is a simple solution, pad mites don’t like neoprene style pads at all! if you see traces of small white dust you know who to call………ARCS!!

If you are feeling brave checkout the photos below on a recent visitor to the ARCS workshop

We are glad to say they have now been dealt with and the instrument has been sterilised!

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 New Arrivals

We have just taken delivery of twin bass clarinet crooks, one for Buffet Bass Clarinets and the other for Selmer models, both are the top of the range gold plated versions of the fabulous Blashaus crooks

If you haven’t tried one yet this is the time to see what it can do for your bass clarinet – its a bit like adding a turbo charger!

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New Pre owned stock now available

We now have some additions to the pre owned stock

 Check the revised list on the for sale section for more exciting additions including ligatures!

 

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Further Bass clarinet developments

Having discovered a crack in the middle tenon of a  25 year old bass clarinet( surprising after such a long time) a solution has been provided by sleeving the joint in metal (see pictures below).

The result was not only to avoid the crack spreading but a significant improvement in the resonance of the whole instrument. This is quite a big job but one I can recommend, call if you would like more details.

If you own a Selmer Bass clarinet and like me, you have been annoyed by the register mechanism only being sprung open on the crook key, then we have a solution! A spring and catch have been successfully added to my instrument and it is now possible to make faster transitions from notes in the upper register and across the break. Makes me wonder why the manufacturer hasn’t done that

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 Silverstein Ligatures                          

We are pleased to announce that Andrew Roberts Clarinet Service have the latest CRYO4  and the  Prelude, the budget version, of the  outstanding Silverstein Ligatures, check out their site here http://www.silversteinworks.com/ligature/

CRYO4                                                                       Prelude

My good friend Les Craven wrote an interesting article on the Silverstein ligatures which you can read here CASS-article-copy

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Price drop for latest ARCS pads

As development continues we have refined the production process for our latest pads reducing the time taken and the cost to the customer!

The new cost for the standard overhaul is now  £420 – down from £460

The workshop is increasingly busy so book early especially if you are looking to book your instruments in over the summer period

 

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 Advertise your second hand instruments

Want to sell your second hand instruments then advertise your second hand clarinets somewhere that will attract interest. With some many hits our website offers the perfect place to add you instrument, include a picture and make it sell quickly. Why pay too much commission? Our initial commission rate of just 5% is the lowest available and will mean you get more cash from your instrument sale. Ask about our enhanced sales offer, you can’t lose! Contact us at sales@theclarinet.co.uk for further details.

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