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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000046.txt from 2002/11

From: "Mike Benthin" <benthin@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [Doublereed-l] Oboe Swabs
Date: Fri, 22 Nov 2002 23:51:11 -0500

Because I dislike feathers leaving "fuzzels"' and tailed swabs risking get
ting stuck or wearing trails into the top of the head joint, I use my own "
silk feather" swab, made from a long bicycle spoke and a sewn cone of silk
that is about 4" longer than the head joint. (pics sent by private email).
The spoke is INSIDE of the cone, fastened at the peak by turns of fine th
read. For the head joint, push up the internal spoke until the swab is see
n at the reed cup, then grasp the wide end of the cone and pull it out. Th
is can NEVER get stuck, as the cone becomes taughter and narrower as you pu
ll on the silk. I leave the bell on and push up the spoke until it sticks
1/2" out the top of the midjoint, then pull it out the rest of the way.

"MUTS" Michael's Ultimate Thumb Saver