 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Susan
Date: 2000-10-06 01:34
What are the various type of pads used on clarinets? I know that there are the felt type, which seems to be the most common. I have a student type clarinet with these type of pads. My intermediate clarinet has what looks like leather covered pads. These have lasted a very long time, but I remember that they were more expensive when I had the clarinet repadded about thirty years ago. My bass clarinet has the leather pads also. What are the other choices, costs, etc.?
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2000-10-06 02:23
Bladder, Cork, Gore-Tex, and synthetic such as Valentino and Norbeck. Did I leave any out?
J. Butler
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Author: Nate Zeien
Date: 2000-10-06 02:25
Susan, a few of the most common materials for pads are - felt/skin, leather (both white and brown), cork, and foam pads. The felt/skin pads have been the usual pad of choice for years. The white, (sometimes brown) leather pads are used for some pro model, and low instruments. Cork pads are often used for small keys, register keys, but an entire clarinet could be padded in cork. Foam pads are not very common. First of all, the felt/skin pads are perfectly fine. The leather and cork pads last considerably longer. The white leather pads are my personal favorite, as they last long, and can give the instrument a darker sound. Cork pads are okay for small keys, and the register key, but I usually don't use them elsewhere. They do have the advantage of being able to drill a hole in them, for special keys, but I have yet to see this on a soprano clarinet. I always prefer cork on the register key, as I have had the best luck with this. Usually, metal clarinets are padded in leather, and occasionally cork. This is partly because the surfaces of the toneholes are often hard to seal, and leather and cork seem to conform to the shape of the tone hole quite well. Although I know of people who like some of the Valentino pads, I generally stay away from foam pads. They just don't seem to seal well. The Valentino pads are the only decent foam pads I have come across. I myself, would only use this as a temporary fix, as they are wonderful for this. As far as cost goes, leather and cork are approximately twice that of decent double skin pads, at least from where I have bought them. Also, remember that this is just my opinion, based on my experiences, although I don't know of any repair tech who love foam pads..... yet. -- Nate Zeien
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Author: Aaron Diestel
Date: 2000-10-06 02:40
I have a really good pad on my horn, the Straubinger pad( i think it is spelled correctly). They are like a standerd pad, but are constructed of different material. The backing is a spun piece of plastic(instead of cardboard) with a treated felt, and the typical bladder covering that is treated and is a yellow color. I don't know much more about them. Other thaan that they give a nice conisitent seal. Good legato playing and a firm base when you depress a key. The downfall is the expense. Theey are about $11 for a pad. I spent $200 for pads on my horn, and that's not all the pads, moston top joint are cork. Also, from what I understand only certified persons can put on these pads. They are VERY good though and I highly reccomenddd them. However i have not tried the white leather pad. I have heard good things about them.
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Author: Susan
Date: 2000-10-06 02:59
Thanks for the info on the pads. My Selmer has the brown leather pads. I guess they were a very good investments as they have lasted a long time.
I have used a few Valentino pads for a quick fix on another clarinet. They were ok for the smaller keys, but didn't seat well on a larger key. That clarinet does need a whole repad job sometime and I am trying to decide on what type.
Thanks again for the info.
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Author: Nate Zeien
Date: 2000-10-06 03:02
Aaron, I have seen pads like these before, and I know of a repair tech who uses them on flutes. I know flute player who use these, and love them. Now, as for the price of $11 a pad, is this the cost of the pad, or with labor included? If they are $11 apiece, these would probably not be the pads I am thinking of. -- Nate Zeien
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-10-06 03:06
Nate Zeien wrote:
>
> Aaron, I have seen pads like these before, and I know of
> a repair tech who uses them on flutes. I know flute player who
> use these, and love them
The Straubinger pads have been around for quite a while for flutes; their availability for clarinets is more recent. See http://straubingerflutes.com/pad_faq.html for info on these pads.
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Author: Nate Zeien
Date: 2000-10-06 03:18
Susan, I would suggest going with the white leather pads. One of the downfalls of the Valentino self-stick pads is the inability to shift the pad to hit the tone hole evenly. Not too much of a problem on small keys, but larger ones, well... Anyway, best of luck to with your repad. :-) -- Nate Zeien
PS - Has anyone ever heard of the Codera Reso-Blade B&S sax? It uses metal plates with rubber rings built into them, rather than key cups and pads. Looks scary to me, I'd hate bend a key or tone hole on one of them! I've never tried one, or fixed one, just wondering if anyone has had experience with one. Thanks!
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Author: Nate Zeien
Date: 2000-10-06 03:24
I looked at the website, but am still curious about how much the actual pads themselves cost. Does anyone know? Thanks. -- Nate Zeien
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Author: Aaron Diestel
Date: 2000-10-06 06:05
the pads were as I said aobut $11 per pad, probablly with labor included, at least labbor didnt really sshow up on my bill. But they will be considerably more than a standard pad with cardboard backing due to the long process of their manufacture. If someone would really like to know the price of these pads for clarinet I could call my repair person to find out. Or simply go to the site that charette listed and find the nearest certified technitian and find out. My repair person is outside of Kansas City in Leavenworth,KS. BUt I'd go to the list to find the person nearest you.
Aaron
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Author: Fred
Date: 2000-10-06 13:36
I'm curious . . . I have one clarinet that had a really nice overhaul. The pads on that horn are white and very symetrical . . . very vertical on the edges. I am sure that they are not leather or cork. I have another clarinet that I had repadded elsewhere with "double skin bladder pads". These pads seem softer . . . the sides are rounder. Both instruments play flawlessly (all the flaws are in the hands of the user). Does anyone know from these descriptions what I have?
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Author: Susan
Date: 2000-10-06 18:35
Where can you purchase the white leather pads? I remember some posting awhile back about someone who made their own from a sheet of leather. My "garage sale" clarinet that I did the temporary pad fix with the Valentino pads sounds so nice that I thought I might try to fix it up a little. It is wood and the name on it is Robert Thibaud Paris. Does anyone know anything about this clarinet?
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Author: ron b.
Date: 2000-10-07 06:56
One source is Ferree's (one of Sneezy's sponsors) who, according to their catalog, sell white or tan kid skin pads. You have to buy them by the dozen so, make sure you know what sizes you need when you order. They cost about $5.80 dz. plus shipping.
You certainly can make your own if you have some the materials. If you haven't done it before, be prepared to spend a lot more time than you originally think it will take. I know some people who've done that when a restoration replacement couldn't be readily found. Retro state of the art? Don't know, but it sound like - not sure if it's fun but interesting for sure.
Those pad will probably out last the instrument.
Happy restoring, Susan, however you decide to do it.
ron b.
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Author: ron b.
Date: 2000-10-07 19:41
From what I gather (from other folks comments about them), Susan, Thibaud horns are worth fixing.
I can't speak from personal close encounters but they have a reputation for being... good+ ...(well constructed) instruments.
If you plan to do the work yourself, consider that you have a fairly good horn to start with and that makes it a whole lot more fun. You'll have the added incentive of a nice piece of equipment when you're done fixing it.
I meant to add above but forgot to include, about pads; if you decide to make some yourself, to keep the material 'tight'. I don't know exactly what the guy meant who told me that. You don't want to end up with 'mushy' pads, I guess.
ron b.
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Author: David Straubinger
Date: 2000-10-26 18:54
The Straubinger Pads are actually $6.30 per pad. The $11.00 must be for installation. It is important with Straubinger Pads and really all pads that the tone holes are in good shape. The Straubinger pads have an inside shell that makes the felt hard were it needs to be hard (outer edge of pad and center) and soft where it needs to be soft (at the pad tonehole interface). Any repairman can purchase Straubinger Clarinet or Piccolo pads. Certification is only required for the flte pads. Straubinger pads are extremely stable. They make the clarinet more resonant, more liquid sounding and play softer and louder. We are updating our web site t oinclude more info on Straubinger clarinet pads. Check Straubingerflutes.com and call if you have a question.
David Straubinger
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