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P.O Box 159, Penticton |
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| The Clarinet Center deals exclusively in clarinets, their accessories, their repair, music and all other aspects relating to this wonderful instrument. | |
|
P.O Box 159, Penticton |
|
| The Clarinet Center deals exclusively in clarinets, their accessories, their repair, music and all other aspects relating to this wonderful instrument. | |
Peter Spriggs sells more
new professional model BUFFET clarinets than any other Canadian business.
Every instrument sold is totally overhauled and meticulously set up with new,
cork small pads and Peter’s own hand-crafted larger pads. No detail is
overlooked: pad height, venting, spring tension and a perfect seal are
guaranteed. Yet, even with the better than $400 worth of work he undertakes upon
each instrument he sells, Peter’s prices remain very competitive. It is no
wonder that The Clarinet Center attracts clients
from all over Canada, the U.S., Europe and as far away as Taiwan and
South Africa. 
deserved. Years ago in Philadelphia, he
studied over the shoulder of Hans Moennig, considered to be the 'Godfather of
Woodwind Repairmen' until his passing a few years ago. Also in Philly, Peter
studied with Anthony Gigliotti, principal clarinet of the Philadelphia Orchestra
for over 45 years. As a capable player, Peter is more exacting than most in his
standards of how a clarinet - new or repaired- should feel and sound. Clients
are amazed at the improvement in their instruments’ playability after their
clarinets have been returned from his intuitive hands. Mike Davenport, a master
teacher and performer who is known up and down the West Coast, had the following
comments on Peter's work : "Although I played and taught classical clarinet for many years and still do, I am also a jazz player and I think it's difficult to tell how well a horn is working until you try it in a real musical situation. I could tell in the shop that Peter had done a great job on my bass, but I wasn't really prepared for what happened when I used it in rehearsal the following day."
"It plays absolutely magnificently. Pressing the keys became easy, every note was produced effortlessly, and the sound was enormous. Everyone who heard it was knocked out by the difference. I was so impressed -- this is the best work I have ever seen. Bravo -- it's wonderful!!!"
Clarinet repairs are arranged by appointment to ensure
the least amount of time a player need be without his/her instrument - usually
just a few days. Of course, the time is even shorter for those choosing to come
here. Not a bad option, considering Peter lives just outside Penticton, in
British Columbia's Southern Okanagan Valley, one of Canada’s most gorgeous
destinations.
For information about Penticton, click
here.
With the aim of producing a ligature with the best
possible performance, Peter has invented the remarkable FLOATING RAILS ligature,
available for Bb and Bass. It is now being used worldwide by players including
professionals in major orchestras and clarinet professors at many
universities.
Bob Crowley of the Montreal Symphony says:
"[The floating rail ligature] seems to allow the reed to vibrate so that the sound has more "life", "ring" and "buoyancy" to it. In almost every case of A-B comparison with my Bonade ligature, mine felt a bit dead and less resonant...".
Robert Riseling of the University of Western Ontario says:
"Reed response [with the floating rail ligature] is immediately improved. Tone quality becomes more resonant, compact, centered. I have become so hooked that the other ligatures I have now sound and feel dreadfully inadequate."
Mike Davenport says:
"The ligatures are INCREDIBLE! They are unbelievably good on both instruments. It's more than the usual slight difference, there is just more sound. As a performer who specializes on bass clarinet and is often asked to perform difficult pieces for that instrument, I want to point out that there are certain passages of certain pieces that are not playable except with this 'FLOATING RAIL LIGATURE' ... It is absolutely the best available."
The cost of the Floating Rail Ligature including cap is $93.00 Canadian funds, plus applicable taxes, shipping and handling. Call for more details.
Peter has also been making clarinet barrels for
over 20 years, originally under the tutelage of Hans Moennig. Peter's barrels
are available for Bb, A, and Eb in varying lengths, and are very consistent
unlike most others. Peter is proud to introduce a new bore size allowing even
more focused sound and better tuning than his previous, widely accepted one.
There has been many times when players who thought they need a new clarinet,
purchased a Spriggs barrel and found such a tremendous improvement on their old
clarinet that it made the purchase of a new one unnecessary.
Peter wrote a book in 1982 titled 'What All Clarinet Players Should Know About Clarinet Care'. It has now had its third printing. Although it was written a few years ago it is still relevant today. For only $8 you can get tips that could save you hundreds in repair. There is a detailed section on how and why clarinets crack and how to break them in properly, which could save you not only a healthy chunk of change but also the sinking feeling you get when you discover a crack. Even though it was written so that even a beginner can understand most of it, Peter has found that many professional players are not aware of much that is in this book. It was given favorable reviews in both the 'ClariNetwork' magazine and also the magazine 'The Clarinet'. Call for more details.
Clarinet fans can expect more projects and innovations from The Clarinet Center in the future, when time permits.
