 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CuriousClarinet
Date: 2012-06-01 06:42
I know one repair tech that is saying cork is always the way to go, but I know another who says Valentino Master series are the best on the market. Has anyone had experience with both? I'm curious as to the pro's and con's.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-06-01 07:42
I really like cork because it lasts so long and you don't really have to worry about the upper joint for many years. I also like the feel of pressing down the keys. There's no play and the action is tight.
I haven't tried the Master series yet.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-06-01 10:50
Well, the Master's Series is a response to the Krause Omni pads that are clearly superior to the original Valentino. Krause was the first synthetic to offer the three layers of different densities to achieve a more rigid synthetic pad that doesn't become deeply creased over time.
My thoughts on this comparison having used a fully Kraus horn:
Having a smooth, flat surface for the sound to reflect off gives a solid and immediate response to both. The synthetic pad is is still slightly less dense than the cork so it is slightly less noisy (you can use them for the largest pads unlike cork !!). In theory (I only used this horn a year) these pads should last pretty much indefinitely AND be completely impervious to moisture. In short, they do everything cork does equally well.
The one possible drawback is that there may be an issue with adhesion. I mean this in terms of the way water adheres to smooth surfaces. In the dead of a mid-western winter, in a cool rehearsal room, there appeared to be MORE issues with 'water-in-the-keys.' I believe this was caused by the property of the material not allowing the moisture to absorb, or whisk away as easily as cork. However, this was one season on one horn and I'd like a bit more testing before I say this is a definitive drawback.
I assume the Valentino Master's will perform identically.
...............Paul Aviles
P.S. I was just about to ask Brannen the same question but you're more than welcome to beat me to it.
Post Edited (2012-06-01 10:52)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2012-06-01 16:57
>> I assume the Valentino Master's will perform identically. <<
The Omni pads come in two different firmness options and various thicknesses of backing and foam, making the pad more/less firm. So idential to an Omni pad depends on which Omni pad, since even two Omni pads are not necessarily identical.
The Valentino Master pads look like they are trying to solve the main two issues of previous Valentino pads. I don't know how successful they are but I hope I can try them sometime.
As far as cork pads, they can be good if you like them. They are noisier than most other pads and their noise is both louder and more percussive. They also feel very firm, more than most other pads. Whether these are issues for you or not... you'll have to try and see (or hear).
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-06-01 22:06
It's really a personal preference. I've always used cork in the upper joints of all my clarinets. I don't find them noisy at all, at least I've never noticed it, maybe I'm just so used to it I don't notice any noise. I think that's a non issue. I like them because they seal so well and last forever, or at least until you need an overhaul, at least ten years for me. Which ever comes frist. Of course you need quality cork, cork without pores holes. The tech has to be selective. ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-06-01 22:18
Considering that the Valentino Masters are somewhat new, I guess I have Kraus Pads in the UJ of my Marigaux. If Valentinos are close to them, then I'd give them a try.
(I did some experimenting with synthetic padding material, and often I hear mentioned that they are squishy or spongy. I found out that newly installed synthetics will get impression rings rather quickly, but once there's an equilibrium between spring tension and pad resiliency/elasticity, then the pad doesn't "sink in" any further. The contact/sealing area is magnitudes larger than with cork pads, of course, but I don't see this as a problem - on the other hand, these pads will stay tight on virtually any kind of tone hole. Which makes them well suited for emergency fixes where you don't have the time to properly redress tone hole rims and all that.)
--
Ben
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2012-06-01 23:10
Cork on upper, white kid on large lower. Long lasting too.
richard smith
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Author: Ed
Date: 2012-06-01 23:19
I agree that cork is a bit noisier. If one does not have very heavy fingers, it is not too bad. When cork seals it is great. IF it gets off at all it is very unforgiving.
I have had synthetic pads for years. They have been great. They seal amazingly well and last forever.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2012-06-02 03:16
>> Considering that the Valentino Masters are somewhat new, I guess I have Kraus Pads in the UJ of my Marigaux. <<
Are they original? AFAIK no clarinet from a factory comes with Omni pads. Maybe they were changed? If you are just guessing from how they look on the key cups, they could also be another model of Valentino and this is more likely. If you check them, the Kraus pads have a rigid, tapered plastic backing as opposed to a cardboard backing.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-06-02 17:32
No, I had it repadded; it was a display model, and the pads were in questionable state, so it got Synthetics on the UJ and white leather on the LJ.
I can provide a close-up if you like.
--
Ben
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