Klarinet Archive - Posting 000508.txt from 1996/06

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Choosing Pads
Date: Sat, 29 Jun 1996 21:24:17 -0400

Hal,
Why waste money on something of really inferior quality? If it
had some intrinsic value, like it was a Buffet or it was an historic old
instrument, that would justify the expense but I hope you didn't pay very
much for it. If it was me, I'd make a lamp out of it. However, it sounds
like you want to learn repair on this instrument. In that case, have fun.
Generally, I don't do repairs any more than the bare minimum because even
with repads, the pad often won't seal because the tone hole is uneven or
chipped (especially on old, wooden clarinets where it might even be
rotted and in need of custom rebuilding!). Thus, a special tool is needed...
You see it gets very complicated. A good repairman really earns his fee.

Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory

On Fri, 28 Jun 1996, Hal Leininger wrote:

> I recently bought an old French (sans name) clarinet that needs
> a $500 overhaul and that's $150 more than can be gotten for it. Logic says
> trashcan, fingers say fix it. There seems to be three choices in pad
> types, Norbeck, cork and bladder. I'm inclined to use Norbeck. One of my
> sons' former teachers liked using cork in his instruments. Bladder seems
> like it would resolve pad to tone hole misalignment best. Which is the
> best pad? Which is the best compromise?
> The pads I removed measure 3.5-4 mm. thick. I have yet to see any
> reference to thickness other than thin, medium and thick. Which choice
> would the measured thickness equate to? TIA..........
>