 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: KristinVanHorn
Date: 2008-06-23 21:51
I was just wondering what are the absolute best clarinet pads available? I mean brand and type.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-06-23 22:22
None, IMHO. Or not uniformly the same type all over.
I like Pisoni's (aka Music Center SPA) pads very much, but for some few keys I make my own. Others swear on cork on the upper joint with leather on the LJ. Then there are Gore Tex and other space-age materials available, but each has its pros and cons. It depends on the clarinet body (wood vs plastic), the quality of the tone hole bedplaces (sometimes an instrument isn't worth enough to justify the cost of tone hole improvement), then there are people who don't like the noisier pop of a cork pad vs a traditional felt/skin pad, etc and so on.
--
Ben
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-06-24 01:07
Did you really think you would get a definitive answer? Every one will have their own opinion. There is no one best; only what people think is the best. ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457 (Listen to a little Mozart, live performance)
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2008-06-24 11:52
Post Edited (2008-06-24 11:54) Just trying to keep it succinct. Upon reviewing my response their was nothing worth keeping.
Freelance woodwind performer
Post Edited (2008-06-24 11:56)
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2008-06-24 13:00
Any question with "best" will always get opinions.
But I have seen some pad brands that are very poor and visably non-flat. Once I worked on a clarinet with cheap pads that had "My Pads" printed on the backing, and once I found a bunch of old Yamaha stock pads that were horrible- they found a home in the trash.
I happen to think that most of the pads sold today are quite well made; good round shape, flat surface and consistant. Byond that, it is opinion.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-06-24 13:07
Repairers and techs will prefer the kind of pad that is (in their opinion) of good quality, how well they perform and how well they last.
So any pad is good provided it does it's job well. I know what pads I like using, others will like other kinds.
It's the same story with clarinets - which clarinet is the best?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: KristinVanHorn
Date: 2008-06-24 13:29
"Any question with "best" will always get opinions.
But I have seen some pad brands that are very poor and visably non-flat. Once I worked on a clarinet with cheap pads that had "My Pads" printed on the backing, and once I found a bunch of old Yamaha stock pads that were horrible- they found a home in the trash.
I happen to think that most of the pads sold today are quite well made; good round shape, flat surface and consistant. Byond that, it is opinion."
Well I was hoping there might be one brand that stood out among the rest. Or maybe a professional pad for pro clarinets vs student pads.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2008-06-24 14:45
Well... Kraus pads are quite highly regarded by many and those pads are only ONLY ONLY sold to those that are professional technicians. Straubinger also makes a very highly regarded pad.
But some folks just make their own. My pads are my own design- synthetic style, no skin at all. There is a store here in Tokyo that can do an overhaul in all KANGAROO skin pads (that they make themselves) for about $800. As I understand, the Brannen's also make their own pads, right???
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2008-06-24 14:58
The Brannens' pads are the very best I've ever had. Made from scratch, I have 30-year old skin pads on my Leblanc bass clarinet that are still viable, despite almost daily use for most of that time!
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Author: clarionman
Date: 2008-06-24 16:00
My tech uses cork pads for some keys and I believe he uses Valentino pads
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2008-06-24 16:29
I could say something about the worst, particularly since there were several brands. The best, why mine of course!!
richard smith
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Author: tarynone
Date: 2008-06-24 20:43
Lucien Deluxe clarinet pads are excellent pads and you definitely can't go wrong with them. White, double bladder skin.
If you want more suggestions the Repair forum on Sax on the Web is a GREAT resource, even for clarinet related things.
http://forum.saxontheweb.net/forumdisplay.php?f=54
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Author: Robertoes
Date: 2011-10-18 14:50
I too am interested in a good set of pads since there is only the worst not the 'best!
I was used to double bladder but I'm re-padding/re-corking/re-silvering a Silva-Bet clarinet. Silver/silver-nickel seems to seal well. It has old leather pads that are...old.
Also a CB 3-Star with leather pads. And a Buescher that will need a set.
Buffet Bb R13
Evette-Schaeffer Bb
Auguste Buffet Bb Enhanced Boehm (circa 1920's)
Selmer Silver Bb Full Boehm (Nov 1930)
C.G. Conn Metal HP Bb Double Wall (1895)
Silva-Bet Silver Enhanced Boehm Bb (1930)
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Author: Fred
Date: 2011-10-19 11:18
Hmmm . . . why not go back with white leather pads on the Silva-Bet and other metal clarinets? That was the original design, wasn't it?
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Author: Robertoes
Date: 2011-10-24 05:31
I'm not sure, the upper pads are gone, and the lower pads are leather resonators but the leather is hard to distinguish. It's a 7 ring Silva-Bet with an adjustable barrel and I can't find a thing on it regarding specs or manuals.
So good white leather would work well given the type of tone holes it has.
Which brings me to brands...make my own? Buy from the best, whoever the best is? Or is it tolerant enough for some sheepskins?
If I had my old Buffet, I'd cork the uppers and double-bladder the lowers with Buffet pads. But these are interesting horns.
Any recommendations would be helpful! What I might do is take recommendations and try 'em out on my 3-stars, or my Boston Wonder and just see what happens. But I gotta start somewhere...fix the horn first, though.
Buffet Bb R13
Evette-Schaeffer Bb
Auguste Buffet Bb Enhanced Boehm (circa 1920's)
Selmer Silver Bb Full Boehm (Nov 1930)
C.G. Conn Metal HP Bb Double Wall (1895)
Silva-Bet Silver Enhanced Boehm Bb (1930)
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