Klarinet Archive - Posting 000375.txt from 1996/07

From: niethamer@-----.EDU
Subj: Re: Corks
Date: Fri, 19 Jul 1996 22:46:20 -0400

On Fri, 19 Jul 1996, Adam Lewis wrote:

> I just recently bought a new A clarinet and I have had a lot of trouble with
> the corks on the joints, specifically simply trying to put the horn together!

My experience with new horns is that they love their cork grease!

> I have put grease on the joints everytime I put the blasted thing together,
> yet I spend quite a deal of time trying to get the joints apart simply
> because it's so tight. I really don't want to sand down the joint unless I
> absolutely have to and I don't think the problem is related to swelling (a
> problem that I have had in the past), so I would greatly appreciate any
> advise that anyone has related to their experiences with newer horns, etc...

You don't say how much you play this horn each time. But I'd make a few
points here.

1.) be sure to distinguish between stiff corks, and that cracking sound
from swollen wood after a particularly long session in a humid environment.

Moennig reportedly advised playing in a new instrument no more than 30
minutes a day for a good while (a month, maybe), so as not to get
involved in this swelling. He also advocated breaking in horns fall or
spring, when the temperature and humidity aren't as extreme as they are
summer/winter. Nice, if you can do it.

2.) I'd be patient with a new horn for a few months before sanding/shaving
anything. If the horn has been on a shelf for a few months or even years,
it may take a while to get fully accustomed to the wet/dry cycle that
playing regularly entails. This being summer, maybe the humidity is part
of the problem, unless you live in the desert!

3.) if work on the joints is needed, the old TV disclaimer applies - "Do
not try this at home" - find a competent tech, and let them break, uh,
*do* it (right!)

This was recently discussed here - check the archives for what a few of
the techs had to say.

==============================
David Niethamer
niethamer@-----.edu
dbnclar1@-----.com
http://users.aol.com/dbnclar1/
==============================