Klarinet Archive - Posting 000396.txt from 1997/12

From: Matthew Hanson <mchanson@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Restoring a Clarinet
Date: Tue, 9 Dec 1997 09:09:36 -0500

One may want to be sure and take all of the keys off of the instrument
before dipping in Tarnex. If not, chances are, that they will rust badly
from this. I know an oboist that poured Tarnex over an old instrument
and all of the smaller keys rusted severely at the posts!
He couldn't even unscrew the pivots afterwards. Just thought this may
save a little unintended destruction. Maybe having a professional
repairman clean the instrument is the safest bet. AS a repair person, I
very often see the results of what some people themselves do to clean
and "care" for instruments. I say THIS, mainly, since removing all of
the keys and correctly replacing them with the right rods and pivots may
be a bit of a headache for a trombonist! I, a clarinetist, live with a
trombonist, as well. They're Different folks! I get really jealous of
an instrument so simple in construction and maintainance.

Bill Hausmann wrote:
>
> At 03:48 PM 12/7/97 -0500, Bryan Hardester wrote:
> My questions are these: 1.
> >Could you tell me anymore about what I have just purchased?
>
> You've purchased a $10 clarinet. That's what I paid for mine. Actually,
> yours is probably better than average. It is most likely silver-plated.
> And may very well have been used in a military band, but with the USQMC
> designation (Quartermaster Corps) is more likely from the Army.
>
> and 2. How
> >can I go about cleaning all of the black tarnish off of it. The instrument
> >is in Great condition, but has been tarnished through the years. I can
> >clean the bell and other big parts, but I don't know how to get to those
> >hard to reach places. I believe that this clarinet will look new once all
> >the tarnish is gone. It does need new pads (obviously) so I don't have
> >any worries with loosing these.
>
> Disassemble, take all pads and corks off, and dip all parts in Tarnex.
> Then use conventional silver polish. Finish with something like a Selmer
> plated finish polishing cloth. This treatment worked wonders with my
> silver-plated Martin also sax. Complete repad/recork required after that.
>
> >One more question... do you know what key it would have been in? Made in
> >1937 by Holton.
> >
> Odds are it's in Bb. Eb is second choice, and should be obvious from
> smaller size.
>
> I really enjoy my old metal clarinet. I keep it in my truck so I can play
> it whenever I get the urge. It can withstand the temperature extremes
> without stress. Probably why the military used them.
>
> Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
> 451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
> Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
> ICQ UIN 4862265
>
> If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.

   
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