Klarinet Archive - Posting 000360.txt from 1996/04

From: Teri Herel <EnsHerel@-----.COM>
Subj:
Date: Fri, 12 Apr 1996 15:16:24 -0400

you sure it's the instrument & not the case? If the case has ever had
mildew, the smell will never go away & your bass will always stink.

If you're sure it's the bass, I'd give it a thourough cleaning & oiling. By
the sound of it, it would greatly appreciate having all of the rods cleaned &
reoiled as well as the tone holes cleaned out and the bore oiled.

(BTW: I've often saved a few dollars on old cases by simply replacing the
fabric. If the case itself is sturdy and in good condition, get some good
quality (all cotton) upholstry fabric. Rip out the old fabric as carefully
as you can so that you can use the pieces as templates to cut the new fabric.
If the form of the case is some kind of foam or wood, you can glue in the
new fabric with white glue, if it's a plastic, you'll need a solvent glue.
Just work carefully and use the original upholstry as your guide. There'll
be no more smell, and you'll have your favorite color (or whatever was on
sale!) as well.)

In a message dated 96-04-12 07:18:04 EDT, edtfalt@-----.SE (Henrik
Faltstrom) writes:

>I recently purchased a used Noblet bass clarinet, and I now have
>a problem; it smells.
>A really yucky, sweet smell spreads through the room when I
>open the case.
>The bass has done duty as a student instrument in one of the
>local music schools, and has probably not been properly taken
>care of, in terms of swabbing, oiling etc., so I think the smell
>originates from old saliva residue (double-yuck!!)
>
>I'd be most thankful for any advice on how to get rid of the smell.
>I know of the orange peel humidifier/deodorizer, but I don't think
>it would solve the problem permanently.
>Another tempting idea would be to oil it with peppermint oil :-)
>
>Henrik Faltstrom
>
>edtfalt@-----.se
>
>