 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2005-02-25 08:39
Well, my Buffet Continentale A (Which is like, what, 40 years old??) has surface cracks in the bore. The clarinet has never cracked, and my Bb also has some surface cracks in the bore, but the Continentale cracks seem a lot more noticable and deep. Is there a way to fix surface cracks? I oil my bores yearly, so shouldn't that help?
Also, every single tenon ring on my clarinets and 6 barrels are coming off!! I have had a few loose tenon rings during the cold, dry season, but this is ridiculous. I use my damp-it and check my humidity on the hygrometer. The hygrometer is a steady 40% and goes up and down a few, but not too much. I am trying to get it to go up to 45%, but it won't. :( If I were to get them swedged, could it cause a problem when the weather gets warmer?
I think I will hold out til spring, and hope there aren't cracks.
--Contragirl
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-02-25 14:31
Really sorry to hear your bad luck. But...it just goes to show that having a hydrometer doesn't guarantee you have enough humidity where you need it. It seems obvious your horns are drying out. Personally I use the "hand test" to determine when I need more humidity. The hand test involves attempting to revolve all the rings every time you assemble the horn. If they revolve....the horn is too dry. When I get a new horn with loose rings I put the sections in a plastic box along with a damp sponge and check often.
Bob Draznik
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Author: sonatina1234
Date: 2005-02-25 14:40
I'm no expert, but if one of my beloved clarinets (I have an 'old school' Boosey & Hawkes thats roughly the same age as your Continentale, if not older, and a 2 1/2 year old Buffet R13), I would take it to my repairman. I'm lucky to have a really good repairman about 40 minutes away. He's pretty well known, I'm told... does the name Bill Cole ring any bells to anyone?
Anyways, get it checked out, because the earlier a problem is caught, the better it is for your clarinet. Hope this helps :-)
-------------------------------------------------
Det. Lennie Briscoe: Maybe he's got some other life-long pursuits.
Lt. Anita Van Buren: Like what? You think he plays the clarinet?
Det. Lennie Briscoe: I *hope* he plays the clarinet.
~Law & Order
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-02-25 15:11
Hi C G, It sounds like you have the usual [normal] cold weather/low humidity problem, resulting in indoor conditions conducive to dehydration of wood clarinet bodies etc. With loose rings, I'd suggest a light, perhaps every 2-3 months, bore oiling with a good oil, the Doc's or "stabilized" almond/apricot oils , AND even some open-pan water for evaporation [if your cls are in closed/cold closets]. My hygrometerS keep me informed that the R H near bath/shower facilities and kitchen [sinks] is the highest in an average home, mine generally above 40%. You may need even 50% to keep rings tight ! Take care, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: mnorswor
Date: 2005-02-25 16:29
50% is what most repair persons will recommend as a minimum. I have humidifiers throughout my house (it's cold and dry here in Boston during the winter) and I keep the house at a constant 55% at a minimum.
To help with your barrels, take a tupperware container, put a shot glass of water in it and then place your barrels in it and seal it overnight. This is a quick fix for humidity problems and should tighten the rings up. However, the same problem will continue occurring if the general humidity level around you is not upped and maintained.
Regarding the cracks... well, wooden clarinets are in fact wooden, and wood cracks on occassion. It's an organic material that you can't control 100%. So, take it to your repair person and have it looked at. They should be able to help.
Best of luck,
Michael
P.S. If we get any more snow up here, I'm going to scream!!!
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Author: Dano
Date: 2005-02-25 20:15
I may be strange or something but I, strange Dano, start to crack if humidity levels drop below about 55 or 60. I keep my music room at around 60% humidity and the hygrometer very close to the clarinets. I think that even different places in the same room vary in humidity levels.
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