Klarinet Archive - Posting 000187.txt from 1997/03

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Repad/Overhaul question
Date: Wed, 5 Mar 1997 12:49:47 -0500

Adam,
Just last week I posted a message about a new pad developed by
Dave Straubinger which is now standard issue on Powell (and, I think,
Brannen) flutes. He is now making them for clarinets and I have them on my
horn. They are wonderful and I strongly recommend them.

Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory

On Tue, 4 Mar 1997, Adam Calabrese wrote:

> 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 ma
jor
> 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
>