Klarinet Archive - Posting 000267.txt from 1997/12

From: Jennifer Rose McKenna <jrm0013@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [Fwd: swab question]
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 08:12:04 -0500

whats wrong with using a silk swabby?

jennifer mckenna
jrm0013@-----.edu
university of north texas
clarinet concentration/music ed major

On Sat, 06 Dec 1997 13:27:23 -0700 pharmacy <pharmacy@-----.com>
wrote:
>
>
> 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
>