Klarinet Archive - Posting 000392.txt from 1996/04

From: Cynthia K Harris <ckh0003@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Oiling regularity
Date: Sun, 14 Apr 1996 16:39:07 -0400

On Sun, 14 Apr 1996, Christopher H. Rohrs wrote:

> I've been quite surprised at the amount of oiling that people have
> recommended on this list. I have been taught that a good clarinet should
> only be oiled 5 or so times in its entire life, and that the oiling should
> be done with great care by one who really knows what he or she is doing.
>
> Do not take my advice as final, but I am worried that people are ruining
> there instruments out there. Is anyone else of this philosophy?

I've had one of my clarinets professionally oiled once -- in 30 years.
(Everything was removed, and it was soaked in oil for several days.)
My other one, never. And never a hint of a crack in either one. I had
always heard that handling clarinets provides any oil that the wood
should need. (The 1 time oiling came after not using it for several
years.)

CH