Klarinet Archive - Posting 000497.txt from 1999/09
From: reedman@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Bore dimension changes
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 12:48:35 -0400
I must confess that i only caught the last part of this string, but my
eyebrows always go up when I see discussions about "reboring" clarinets.
Clarinets do change over time - sometimes dramatically. The changes are due
mostly to wood shrinkage. Because African blackwood is such a dense wood
the shrinking generally happens over a long period of time provided that
the wood was dried and cured properly. I have been buying wood for my
barrels from a very reputable dealer in Europe for some years and I am
amazed (perturbed!) at the changes this wood goes through over a year of
just sitting in my basement and then 6 more months after it is rough bored.
My understanding of the curing process at Buffet is that they force dry the
wood down to a very low moisture content and then place the billets in oil
tanks where the oil is absorbed and the wood stabilizes. Perhaps Francoise
cab fill us in with a little more detail.
In any event, it is the gradual loss of oils from the wood over time that
probably causes the problems we associate with shrinkage. Because each
piece of wood is different, this shrinkage may affect different areas of
the bore. Generally, however, it is the upper bore of clarinets
(particularly barrels) that are most affected. This is probably due to the
fact that this area is recepient of most of the water vapor as we play and
the greatest area of moisture exchange.
When the bore changes significantly over time we begin to experience
problems associated with a phenomenon that some players call "blow out".
(Sorry Dan!) These symptoms range from stuffiness,lack of resistance,
uneven tonal character and especially erratic intonation. Indications that
a bore problem exists are overly wide twelfth intervals, lack of pitch
focus in the throat tones and chalumeau tones that are uncontrollably sharp
in the pianissimi. Problems such as wide twelths are partially due to bore
changes, but sharp pitch on specific tones is probably due to changes in
the tone hole. As the clarinet shrinks tone holes become oval shaped
(subtle, of course) which effectively moves the tone hole closer to the
mouthpiece. Obviously, reboring will not help this problem.
As clarinets loose oil and become "dry" I believe they are more susceptible
to moisture exchange and can exhibit radical acoustical differences in
humid environments or during wet parts of the year. This instability is not
only aggravating, but it further indicates to me that reboring when a
clarinet may be at either end of a moisture swing would exacerbate any
problems.
So what to do?
This is where I introduce Larry Naylor of Naylor Custom Wind Repair In
Englewood, CO. (303) 761 4759.
I met Larry several years ago and I have been using his Organic Vegetable
Oil Formula for in my overhauls (non submersive). Larry has a process where
he submerges clarinets for several weeks that brings the bore back to
original specs. He applied this treatment to my Selmer Rosewood Contra a
few years ago. The instrument sounds lovely, but it was in such bad shape
when I sent i to him that I had not really been able to evaluate it before
it was completely overhauled (by yours truly). However, I just finished oil
soaking my personal Selmer Low C bass clarinet ca. 1976. The changes are
wonderful! I was having problems with increased pitch in some areas, but
primarily I was concerned with a lack of focus and an edge to the sound
that has been developing in the last two years.
I soaked it for three weeks (all I could manage around gigs) just
using a pint of oil and a large garbage bag. What I have noticed is
improved resonance, improved pitch, and an EVENESS in the sound that is
remarkable.
I apologize if this sounds like an infommercial. I assure you that I
DON'T WANT ANY WORK IN THIS AREA - I am out of the repair business. I would
just like all of you to know that this process is a much safer and IMO
better than reboring. For more information contact Larry Naylor. I have
also invited him to make comments to the list directly.
Clark W Fobes
Clark W Fobes
130 Beverly St
San Francisco, CA 94132
(415) 585-0636 Tel/Fax
Website: clarkwfobes.com
e-mail: reedman@-----.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org
