I was deservedly proud of how clean I managed to execute the solder joints (as silver seems to attract lead solder even more than does acid flux).
Additionally (once the o.e.m. mouthpipe was removed), I discovered that the receiver brace was bent (as well as barely was the o.e.m. mouthpipe), and I managed to straighten that brace "just so" whereas the aftermarket mouthpipe mounted very "pretty" (as well as perfectly aligned with the tweeked-out-my-me main tuning slide) as well.
The other day, a professional clarinetist brought in a perfect-looking Buffet "low C" bass clarinet whereby the floor peg receiver's support had popped off the bell (silver plating over nickel-brass, on a $17,000 instrument (one of these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/145689131670).
The owner is of Asian descent (their father is - yes - a brain surgeon), they were noticeably distressed, and (based on the immaculate condition of the instrument) very picky (as - to their credit - so many Asian and Asian-descent people tend to be both immaculate and picky).
The flange of that support was only soldered around the edges (factory). I "tinned" the entire surface, located it, used no wire, and soldered it back in place (heating it from the interior outward). I left a perfect bead all the way around the edge, with no mess. They were pleased.
bloke "braggin' "
...but (seriously) possessing these sorts of skills allows me to "blast" through hundreds of school-owned instruments (without losing money hiring any lackeys), and all in time for their marching band camps. reminder: Money for school repairs ain't nobody's paycheck, so all they care about is "good", "not ugly", and "on time". They're not looking for "exquisite" and NOR (even more importantly) are they looking for a bargain.
