Klarinet Archive - Posting 000219.txt from 1993/12

From: Cary Karp <nrm-karp@-----.SE>
Subj: Re: Bennett and homogenization
Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1993 04:56:47 -0500

The internal elastic and internal damping properties of freshly worked
metal differ from those of the metal prior to the working. The changes
are recovered over a period of time. I have no idea if Bennett's vibrator
could induce this effect (the "Koester effect"), but if it did audible
consequences for a metal flute could be expected. NOTE -- this does not
apply to wood. Does anyone know if his treatment worked as well with
wooden flutes? Metal clarinets?

I almost wish that I had continued my speculative list of explanations
for what his treatment might do to clarinets, yesterday. The next item
on it was that vibration, especially if the pads were moistened with
alcohol prior to treatment, would certainly result in the pads sitting
better than they ever did before. Once again, the improvement would
probably deteriorate over time.

So pending further input, does the notion of his treatment as a dislodger
of dirt and a super-seater of pads seem adequate to explain what was
going on? (I've got one more guess, but will shut up about it for now.)