Klarinet Archive - Posting 000352.txt from 1994/02

From: "Dr. Ronald P. Monsen" <RPMONS00@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Cork grease...
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 09:03:15 -0500

For what it is worth--I have never felt greasing a cork would destroy it--
rather I have regarded my "greasing" efforts as being aimed towards keeping
the cork supple enough to do its intended purpose--namely sealing the various
joints of the instrument--the ideal situation--so I have been told--would be
for the clarinet to have no breaks in continuity from mouthpiece to bell!
This is of course not workable--so I have used mutton tallow for years to
keep the corks in shape. Periodically I clean the corks of residue--paying
attention to the "gunk" which collects off the cork and between the joints.
Some years ago Selmer (I think) marketed a "liguid" type of cork lubricant
in a squeeze bottle. It was a disaster! I also have a prototype Selmer

(Paris) soprano clarinet that uses no corks--rather a nylon fitting that has
been fitted with two "O" rings. A good idea but it does not work for the
barrel joint--you can't maintain a proper spacing--it slides back in.

Valentino Pads--have a set of Leblancs fitted with all Valentino Pads and
cork replacement material. This is a black synthetic material and requires
no lubrication of any kind. I have this set up as a trial. The work was done
by our local woodwind guru--it has worked so far. Anyone out there have any
experience with Black Valentino pads? Just curious. Ron M