 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CDB
Date: 2000-03-30 13:29
I bought a beautiful Noblet clarinet that had obviously sat in a case for a long period. Pads and cork are new, and it plays like a dream. The wood appears to be in excellent condition.
Unfortunately, the inside smells quite strong. It's not a mildew-odor, but it's not pleasant. My duet partner has actually complained!
Other than leaving it out of the case to air out, is there anything I can do to get rid of the odor? Thanks for all comments-
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-03-30 13:40
How about the case? If it is not odor free, your going to be picking that up every time you put the clarinet in it.
Try leaving the instrument out of the case and see if it clears up. If it doesn't, well it looks like a repad/recork is going to be necessary even if they are relatively new. Cork and pads are very absorbant of odors. If it does clear up, work on that case.
There has been discussion on this board before about getting rid of odors, some of it quite recent. If you do a search a lot of stuff should come up.
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Author: CDB
Date: 2000-03-30 13:43
Thanks to Dee. I'm new to this and just realized the topic had been mentioned before. I apologize for wasting people's time!
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Author: J.Butler
Date: 2000-03-30 14:13
CDB,
Your not wasting peoples time, when your new to something you've got to find out and the only way is to ask the question. I have used several methods in the past and some work to a degree. These are the the procedures I've tried to get rid of the odor in cases....this will not help your clarinet if it has absorbed the odor.
1. Set the case outdoors on a nice sunny day where it can get direct sunlight. After a few hours go out a sprinkle baking soda in the case and let it set in the sun for as long as possible. Clean the case of the baking soda. I have a friend who uses "Tidy Cat" instead of baking soda, but I've never tried it. This works if the case is not too odorous.
2. Use the same procedure as above using that new product "FeBreeze". It may help, but always make sure you clean out the case of any residue before returning the clarinet. I've used this with limited results.
3. I have a product called ODOR_BAN that I purchase through an industrial chemical supplier (janitor supplies). It kills mildew (probably the cause of your odor) and leaves the case in good shape. I use the same procedure in item 1 and leave the case in the sun as long as possible. I spray with the ODOR_BAN lightly several times during the procedure, but do not saturate the case with it. This produces the best result with ONE exception that follows:
4. Buy a new case! A good case such as the Pro-Tec will set you back about $75 with tax (discount) and is the only real solution to get rid of bad case odor. As Dee pointed out however if the odor is now in the pads and corks I'm afraid that they will have to be replaced also.
Good Luck,
J. Butler
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-03-30 16:08
Please dont be bashful, CDB and others, many of the simple-sounding questions are complex, and as shown below on our good BBoard,under "Smelly Clarinet", may have many workable solutions. We are all still learning even with years of experience. Keep studying and asking. Don
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Author: Keil
Date: 2000-03-30 21:07
i've heard that dryer sheets work. The Eb clarinet that i play on at school has a horendous odor problem and i've tried the dryer sheets, the only thing i've found is that the reeds absorb the smell and taste of the dryer sheets, not good. The reeds end up tasting kinda soapy so i would suggest keeping reeds well covered if using dryer sheets.
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Author: CDB
Date: 2000-03-30 22:05
Do you put the clarinet with the dryer sheet in the case, or do you actually stuff the sheet into the instrument?
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Author: ron b.
Date: 2000-03-30 22:36
Hi, CDB -
You're not wasting people's time by asking a question.
Many of us, I for one, usually sit quietly in the shadows and from time to time stop, look and listen. Questions like yours may have been asked many times before but it's not trivial. It makes us sideliners mindful that we all learn from one another and occassionally put on our thinking cap (Owwww!). Sometimes a question like yours brings to mind something that might work that's been overlooked before.
Keep asking. We sideliners may not have an appropriate answer at the moment but we appreciate your question as a contribution - to everyone's benefit:)))
Something did come to mind as I read your post. I've never tried it myself but you may want to investigate before you invest... in a complete re-pad. There is a product on the market, Pad Preservative, that supposedly helps prevent pad moisture absorption (you can order it from Ferree's). Since your pads are seating well, perhaps a local tech could apply this to your pads. It may be worth a try, to seal them to some degree at a minimal cost. Drop by you local repair shop and ask about it. They don't charge for answering questions either.
It ***might*** help your horn but it won't fix a stinky case.
ron b.
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-03-30 23:01
I had a clarinet with BAD SMOKE ODOR. I took clarinet out of the case for a day & a half .... sprayed the case with FABREZE, which you can buy at the local market, etc.
I put the clarinet back in its case when I was sure the case was dry inside. then I left it for a day or so closed.
The smoky odor seemed to be neutralized and my case smelled like spring flowers ... not perfect, but beats the heck our of the smoky odor.
mw
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Author: Keil
Date: 2000-03-31 00:41
You place the dryer sheet directly in the case! As soon as i get my Eb back from the shop i'm going to try the Febreeze in the case along with a dryer sheet, I figure after spraying with Febreeze and adding a dryer sheet the odor is bound to leave sooner or later!
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-03-31 04:12
At your local auto supply there should be a small sqirt bottle of a product called ODOR FREE. Works pretty good. Another sugestion is a trick I learned from a comercial fisherman. Newspaper. He put this in his truck, his boat and in his freezers. He changed it weekly. His was probably the only fishing vessel I ever boarded that didn't smell like dead fish.
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Author: Jim
Date: 2000-03-31 04:50
The two recent threads on clarinet odor reminded me of an incident from my Junior High days. (This was back when JFK was in the White House, and Junior High was not called "Middle School") I left my instrument on the sidewalk at the bus stop. Of course it was gone by the time I missed it. After quite a chewing out, my mom rented me a replacement. This horn had been used by a heavy smoker, and everytime I drew a breath, the stench remaining in the horn came into my nose and mouth. Although my parents and most of our other relatives were smokers, my brother and I both developed a strong aversion to the odor quite early. My complaints were not taken seriously by my mom who at any rate was (rightly) furious at me for losing my instrument. I developed the habit of taking the mouthpiece out of my mouth everytime I breathed. This did not improve my playing, but I guess I got away with it for a few weeks! Happy ending... a good samaritan returned my instrument, and I was most pleased to return the smelly one to the shop! I'm not sure any of the discussed methods would have helped that miserable horn.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-03-31 16:46
Just want to mention that "activated" charcoal [carbon] granules are an excellent aDsorbent of most odors, of particular use in de-odorizing refrigerators etc. As most chemists know , if the "activated" form is not available in stores, ordinary carbon granules can be so prepared by low temp heating, prob. no more than 250 F , in your oven, or in bright sunlight!, cooled, and placed in trays inside cases etc. It works! Don
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-03-31 17:00
Don,
A cheap and easy source of activated carbon is available at your local pet store - I buy quart containers of activated carbon (charcoal) for my aquariums (get down, shadow cat!)
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