Klarinet Archive - Posting 000374.txt from 1995/01

From: "James E. Laughlin" <JELAUGHL@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Repairing pads
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 1995 13:15:27 -0500

Haywiring is sometimes needed in an emergency situation but can
create uneeded tension in later performances.
I am reading quite a lot of mail regarding do-ti-yourself repairs.
You should know that pads are available from companys like The
Woodwind, Sam Ash, Weiner Music, or hand made pads from Philip Muncy.
I replace mine and my students regularly. Just remember not to bend
keys and to use a correct type of cement. Seating the pads becomes
the real problem and takes a bit of an art.
If the keys are not perfectly flat to the tone holes problems will
occur as the pad gets old and settles. I have had my keys adjusted to
correct this (an expensive process that only needs to be done once).
A world class repairman is a must for this process, I only know of
one in Texas and maybe a couple of ohters in the country that I
would trust.