 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jrain54
Date: 2017-01-22 15:26
Hi all,
I haven't packed my clarinet away for a while which isn't very wise of me, and I just took it apart now and some of the silver bands are loose and come off easily (see attachment for what I mean by silver bands).
Any advice on what to do to get them to 'stick', for lack of a better word?
Thanks!
Jess
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-01-22 16:07
Don't assemble your clarinet while the socket rings are loose as you will risk splitting the sockets.
They're usually an interference fit onto the sockets rather than being glued on, but sometimes they are fitted with glue.
You can rehydrate it by putting all the joints (with the socket rings in place) in a sealed plastic bag with either some orange peel or a damp cloth or sponge in there to raise the humidity levels. Then check it after a day to see if the socket rings are tight again. If they're still loose, then take it to your repairer so they can shim the socket rings so they won't keep falling off.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2017-01-22 18:21
All of what Chris said...
But beyond that, if the rings got loose while the clarinet was out and assembled, it may be that the relative humidity in the room is too low. If that's the case, the humidity inside the case when you close it will also be too low. If you find the rings repeatedly getting loose, you may want to put some kind of humidifier either in your clarinet case or in the room where you keep it (and, I assume, practice).
Karl
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-01-22 19:15
What kind of heating do you have? The hot air heating system (gas fired furnace in the basement and floor vents in every room) are by far the most detrimental to drying out timber.
And winter is also the time of year humidity levels are low, so there are loads of factors counting against wooden instruments at this time of year.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: jrain54
Date: 2017-01-23 12:19
Thanks Chris!
It's summer in Australia, so the weather's been hot lately which must be a contributing factor...
I'll see how the orange peel idea goes!
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Author: jrain54
Date: 2017-01-23 12:21
I'll see how it goes, a humidifier may be a good idea!
Thanks!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-01-23 12:26
Oops I didn't realise you're in Australia.
Maybe you should make a humidifier to go in the case to keep the humidity levels good - you can make one from a pill bottle with small holes drilled in it, then put some sponge inside and add just enough water to soak the sponge but not leak out. Then wet the sponge when it's dried out.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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