Klarinet Archive - Posting 000372.txt from 1994/02

From: Karen Noel-Bentley <karennb@-----.CA>
Subj: Valentino pads
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 1994 01:53:00 -0500

On Thu, 24 Feb 1994, Dr. Ronald P. Monsen wrote:

> 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

In Vancouver, the woodwind guru favors white Valentino pads. I have a full
set in my Eb clarinet, and a few in my Bb and A (I'm installing them
gradually--I can't afford a full set). I've had them for a couple of years
now, and they seem to combine the best characteristics of cork and skin
pads. They seal well without changing, and they're soft enough that they
don't make noise when they close a hole. My teacher (whose word is gospel,
of course) has used these white Valentino pads for years, and would never
go back to cork or skin.

Karen