Klarinet Archive - Posting 000108.txt from 1996/07

From: Drew Niemeyer <s182855@-----.AU>
Subj: Re: Choosing Pads
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 14:35:59 -0400

> > 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..........
> >
My teacher repadded his R13 clarinets with Gortex pads, and thinks the
clarinets sound better than when they were new.
I also use gortex pads (I also think they sound better), and they seem
more inclined not to split like skin pads do.

What's the general opinion on these? Does anyone actually know how long
these pads last, usually?

DREW
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