Klarinet Archive - Posting 000405.txt from 1994/02

From: Jim Lytthans <jlytthans@-----.COM>
Subj: Valentino Pads
Date: Sun, 27 Feb 1994 13:05:49 -0500

As a professional clarinettist who also teaches junior high instrumental
music (it pays the bills, folks!), I have made use of the Valentino pads on
numerous occasions. The Los Angeles City Schools has a central repair shop
for instruments which does good work, but frequently takes several weeks
(read: months) to complete a repair. The Valentino pads have been a great
help in keeping flutes and clarinets in the hands of my students.
About a year ago, as an experiment, I completely re-padded one of my
better Bundy clarinets (if there is such an animal!), including tendon corks,
to see how it would hold up. So far, this instrument (shared by several
students daily) has done beautifully.... much more reliable that my other
traditionally padded clarinets. In addition, this Bundy seems freer blowing,
and more resonant. I used the tan Valentino pads because that's what was at
hand.
The only problem seems to be the tendon corks. They don't hold up as
well as the pads. If I butt the seam (as recommemded), a gap soon developes,
causing a leak. A mitre seam solves this problem, however, the cork
replacement soon fails. Nothing beat a properly installed cork tendon, I
guess. I have used the Valentino tendon on my wife's clarinet with the same
result.
My personal R-13s are set up with mostly cork pads on the upper joint.
as is my Eb. These have really eliminated most of the water and leak
problems, in addition to enhancing the throat tones.
Let me say that (as a new sign-on) I am really enjoying these daily
downloads from "the list". Keep up the good work!

Jim Lytthans
Anaheim, CA