Klarinet Archive - Posting 000150.txt from 1997/03

From: Adam Calabrese <adam.calabrese@-----.gov>
Subj: Repad/Overhaul question
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 1997 15:50:05 -0500

Hello-

I just joined the mailing list today. I've searched three week's worth of
articles in the archives (that's a lot of stuff!), and have found a few
informative articles about repadding, but no info about my specific
question. I hoped someone might be able to help me with firsthand knowledge
or at least a reference to the month in which this subject was discussed on
the maiing list.

My clarinet is a Buffet R13 bought in 1984. It has never been repadded,
and is now in serious need of some attention. I had to get one pad on the
upper joint fixed immediately, and seem to have found the best place (in
terms of quality and experience) locally to get the work done. His prices
for repad/overhaul are US $170 for standard pads (felt pads with skin), and
US $270 for Gore Tek (sp?) pads. Gore Tek is a material that keeps all
water out but still breathes - it's used widely for top-end
camping/hiking/outdoors gear. I'm not sure how it is incorporated into the
pads...

In the past I played my clarinet extensively as an undergrad (music major
at one point) and for my first 3 years of grad school (physics). After a 4
year hiatus in which I played very infrequently, I am beginning to play
again. I won't be playing as much as when I played in orch, band, and took
lessons. However, I'm wondering if it would be worth it to go with the
high-tech pads? Does anyone have experience with the relatively new Gore
Tek pads? Will they last longer and withstand moisture better? What's the
"feel" like?

I did see mention of a new synthetic pad by Dave Straubinger, but
understand that it's not widely available yet. The fact that it's the
standard material used on Powell flutes speaks well of it though. Are the
Gore Tek pads one of the other synthetics with problems? The local repair
technician said he has done a local professor's clarinet and he was happy
with it.

Thanks for any info or help you can give me.

-Adam
adam.calabrese@-----.gov

-Adam Calabrese
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899