Klarinet Archive - Posting 000320.txt from 1996/04

From: Steve Fowler <sfowler@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: hairline cracks: anyone had experience?
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 1996 15:37:12 -0400

> Not really. I just started playing a wooden clarinet not to long ago. I am
> going to take it back because my spit keeps causing the low E (not the
> lowest) to be a half step falt. (Eb). I am going to try several different
> others.
> >

Joe,

You don't return an instrument for collecting water in a tonehole,
you take care of the problem. 1)Make certain that you swab the
instrument carefully and completely. Do not use those nice fluffy
"Pad Savers" as your only swab. They are fine for whatever purpose
you would store them in your bore for, but not until the bore has
been swabbed thouroughly first. 2)Oil the bore of the instrument with
a very small amount of bore oil. Put it on a wool swab (one with the
metal handle, actually I found that this IS a good use for "Pad
Savers") and run through the dry bore a few times. Let this soak in
for a few minutes and then swab out the excess using a
handkerchief-type swab. 3) Force the water _around_ the tonehole by
placing a small amount of wax just above the offending tonehole. This
will redirect the moisture away from its' normal path, usually
resulting in a new path that is not as offending.

Of course, if you are not inclined to do the oiling, etc. yourself,
take it to a repair person. They will usually be very happy to teach
you how to care for your instrument.

Good luck.

later,

Steve

If you have a tonehole that is collecting water, you can
Steve Fowler (sfowler@-----.com)