Pro Shop Overhaul

Overhauling a clarinet is far more than simply installing new pads, corks, and felts. There are too many technicians out there who lack the training to get maximum performance out of a clarinet. Our Pro Shop Overhaul is our premium service – it will get your clarinet playing better than it ever has, including better than when it was new.

The clarinet used throughout this presentation is a vintage 1963 Buffet R13 A clarinet, serial number 75,880. It came to us in decent condition with no cracks but in need of a complete rebuild. Here is what one player had to say after going through the service:

The Clarinet

For this presentation, we show this 1963 Buffet R13 A clarinet. It came to us in decent overall shape but in need of a complete rebuild. There were no excessive issues with it other than age – but more importantly, this customer had been told by several well known techs that their clarinet was “blown out” and no longer worth rebuilding. This concept is one we fight against in our shop & store. Rarely are pro clarinets truly “blown out” and not worth repairing – instead, they are in desperate need of more than just new pads & corks – they are in need of a true professional overhaul, our ProShop Overhaul!

Step 1 – Body Inspection & Tone Holes

After removing all old pads, corks, and felts, the instrument is thoroughly cleaned. Every joint is then inspected for cracks or hidden leaks by plugging all holes and submerging the joint in water while air is blown through – even the smallest leak becomes immediately visible.

If any cracks are found, the clarinet goes through our Crack Repair Service before anything else proceeds. Once the body structure is confirmed sound, we move on to tone hole leveling and profiling. This process ensures that all toneholes are level, which is obviously important for pad sealing, but also ensures that all tonehole profiles are cut even and uniform. This is actually the more important part of the process!

See, your air column will follow the shape of the instrument’s bore and tone holes, including as it exits the tone hole. Most clarinets have a tone hole overcutting that is uneven through use/manufacturing. By perfecting and evenly cutting the tone hole’s extruding profile, this allows your air column to vent out evenly. This improves overall tonal balance from note to note as well as overall presence in all registers. Combined with the higher end pads that we do standard (more on that below), this is transformative to the overall playability of your clarinet.

Read more about our tone hole service here.

Step 2 – Keywork Refit, Corks & Felts

All keywork is refit to ensure proper response and mechanical performance. Every cork and felt is replaced and cut specifically for your instrument. In certain areas we use a combination of materials to achieve a specific feel with less mechanical noise.

On older clarinets, if excessive key refitting is required there may be an additional charge based on time needed – on average $50–$75, though it could vary depending on severity.

Step 3 – Pad Selection, Installation & Adjustment

Our “MasteRoo” pad combination is the default selection for the Pro Shop Overhaul, developed through many years of testing. The upper joint is fitted with Valentino Master Series pads and the lower joint with white Kangaroo Leather pads. Together they deliver a solid feel, quiet mechanical performance, and exceptional stability and longevity.

Since pad choice directly affects tone and response, we can also fit your clarinet with cork, double skin, triple skin, GoreTex, white leather, Valentino Black, or Straubinger pads. Some options carry an additional cost – we’ll discuss this with you before proceeding.

Optional – Custom Bell & Barrel Fitting

Your clarinet’s performance isn’t limited to the overhaul itself. Every clarinet can benefit from a better bell and/or barrel, and we keep a strong selection of top-tier professional options at significant discounts compared to retail. So once the clarinet is done, we can also help custom pick and fit the bell and/or barrel that best matches your clarinet and playing goals – and if you receive it back and aren’t thrilled, return it for a full refund.

For this particular 1963 R13 A clarinet, we fitted a Backun Ringless 66mm Grenadilla barrel and a Backun Traditional Cocobolo Bell with Voicing Groove. The difference was outstanding – the clarinet became far more responsive, articulate, and powerful in every register.

The Finished Product

Our Pro Shop Overhaul brings out every iota of performance your clarinet is capable of – including performance you didn’t know was there. The instrument emerges more stable, reliable, and responsive than it has ever been. The premium pad combination, tone hole service, and key fitting mean less frequent adjustment over time and less need for overhauling compared to instruments serviced with standard pads.

Discounted Accessory Add-Ons

While your instrument is here, you can add a barrel, bell, ligature, mouthpiece or new case at a discounted rate. We hand-select the accessory that best matches your clarinet and your playing goals. And if you receive it back and aren’t thrilled – return it for a full refund.

Barrels, Bells & Cases

Browse our selection at Kessler & Sons, and remember – bundle pricing applies when you add them to a repair order.
10% off with repair
15% off with overhaul.

Mouthpieces & Ligatures