Klarinet Archive - Posting 000654.txt from 2002/07

From: w8wright@-----.net (William Wright)
Subj: Re: [kl] Cleaning the Gunk?
Date: Mon, 22 Jul 2002 19:29:27 -0400

<><> Michelle wrote:
What is the proper way to clean a wooden clarinet? Inside and out? I
have not played it because it is disgusting! Once I've cleaned it (which
I want to do properly) I would really prefer not to put it in my mouth.
I can't afford a professional cleaning on an instrument I may not
purchase.

I'm not a technician. Other people on this list are, and I'm sure that
they'll volunteer some information. But depending on how bad it is,
you may *-need-* a professional cleaning --- which involves removing the
keywork.

In order to do this yourself, you need the proper tools and materials
and the knowledge of how to put it all back together again with proper
tensions and heights for the pads and so forth.

To use myself as an example --- and you can look back in the archives
where I posted about my experience a couple of months ago --- I couldn't
play many of the clarion register notes. I did my best to identify a
leak or clogged register tube or similar, but I couldn't find one. So
I took my clarinet into the local music store for repairs. The
technician had it working in less than an hour. A bit of gunk (that I
hadn't noticed), a leaky pad, one joint cork, and all was well again.
But he had the tools and the training.

My point is that I keep a clean instrument, perhaps I'm a touch
compulsive about it, but it doesn't take much to mess a clarinet up.
If you have *major* crud, the problem may be beyond your abilities.
This is why an instrument in good repair costs more than one which is
not. It may take some money to put yours into working condition.

===================

<><> how do I sanitize the mouthpiece without damaging it?

What you _don't_ do is to force a full-sized swab or a brush through it.
This may damage the various edges of the mouthpiece.

First, soak it and rinse it with soap and cold water, and gently swab it
with a small piece of soft cloth. Then repeat with a 25/75 mixture of
unflavored white vinegar and water (25 vinegar/75 water). Then perhaps
repeat with soap and water again.

Simple washing doesn't disinfect. Some disinfectants damage hard
rubber. The one that I use promises no damage on the label. It's
called "Sterisol Germicide Concentrate For Wind Instruments." You're
supposed to let the mouthpiece soak for 10 minutes in a diluted solution
as explained on the label.

Good luck,
Bill

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