Klarinet Archive - Posting 000265.txt from 1997/12

From: pharmacy <pharmacy@-----.com>
Subj: [Fwd: swab question]
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 08:12:02 -0500

SEAN TALBOT wrote:

> I remember talking to the repair guy I work with a number of years ago and
> he mentioned that certain materials really were not very good to the instrament.
> The reasoning being that some materials leave behind small amounts of fibers
> that over time collect in tone holes causing intonation, and tone quality
> problems. It seems to me this was a concern of silk but I don't remember.
> Roger isn't around much anymore to ask him (my original sourse that is).
> Other materials felt nice to the
> touch and look good but don't absorb water all that well. Anyone on here
> have a real excellent knowledge of materials that could tell me what material
> absorbs water best and does not shed fibers? I'll make a swab out of that
> no matter how ugly it is. =)
>
> Sean Talbot
> Music Education major
> University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
> http://www.geocities.com/vienna/strasse/2859
>
> theory of location - "no matter where you go - - - there you are

Sean,
Although I don't have a "real, excellent knowledge" of materials, there is one
that I use all the time. Surgical sponges are tops. These are squares, approx. 14",
of cottony gauze. They get softer on repeated washings and don't shed any lint.
They're the only thing I use to dust my piano, too, since they don't scratch the
finish. They're absorbent and can be cut down to work as clarinet swabs. The edges
would need to be sewn, and a string of some sort attached. If you have a friend who
works at a hospital, (s)he could get some for you. I recommend unused ones!

Carol