Klarinet Archive - Posting 000082.txt from 2002/12

From: Jeremy A Schiffer <schiffer@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] moisture in A key
Date: Wed, 4 Dec 2002 23:21:23 -0500

On Wed, 4 Dec 2002, Karl Krelove wrote:

> I don't know how any of the oily solutions actually work. Walter knows what
> he's talking about, but I'd be leery of topically applying oil at a tone
> hole edge because I'd be afraid of accumulating stuff (dust, swab lint,
> etc.) at a faster rate if the oil doesn't absorb into the wood adequately.
> But maybe my fear is unfounded - I've never tried it.

The A key would be fairly difficult to do this with, but for the Eb/Bb and
Db/Ab keys, I have found a great solution, which I believe I read on this
list originally. You use something like a toothpick with a little bit of
the oil of your choice. Draw an arc with the oil (using a very tiny
amount) above the problematic hole on the inside of the bore. Let it soak
in and repeat. This way, you have a sort of umbrella for the key; the
moisture - which travels from the top of the instrument down - will hit
the oil arc and move to the side of the hole without going into it. I
tried this a few months ago, and it was at least two months before I ever
had water in those keys again. As long as you don't use too much, there
shouldn't be an issue with gunk buildup.

-Jeremy Schiffer

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Jeremy A. Schiffer
AcIS Security Administrator
Columbia University
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AcIS Nextel *75

Please direct all computer security related queries to
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