 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sue
Date: 2003-02-11 13:01
Hello,
What have you found that works best for you as a swab. I've recently bought a Lelanc and started playing again after about 25 years. A friend who plays the Tenor Sax uses two of her husbands socks, but wouldn't that lead to lent build up?.
I've been using the little shamie thing and when I disassemble I still need to wipe out the connecting joints with a kleenex or is this normal?.
Thanks for any help!,
Sue
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Author: Bryan
Date: 2003-02-11 13:51
I recently had to get a new swab since my old swab kept getting stuck in my 'new' SML. I got one of the The Doctor's Black Legend silk swabs, and it works great. It's pretty absorbent and goes through the clarinet very easily. I still have to dab out the joint ends separately.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-02-11 14:13
The Doc's Black Legend gets my vote, too. Generously-sized and very abosorbent, yet stretchy enough that it won't get wadded up in the bore. It glides right through with just a light pull.n
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-02-11 14:25
Any good quality silk swab will do. (Gem, Gigliotti, Dr.'s Swab, etc...) ...GBK
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2003-02-11 14:36
Just got some Dr. Products incl. the swab...it is very good and half the cost of the Gigliotti.
I also like the Gem, but Dr. has nicer cord and the fabric is maybe a little thicker.
The stock Buffet swab seems to be cotton but works ok. Maybe use it for oiling.
The Vandoren is nicer and is bigger than the Buffet but I think it is also cotton.
I dont care for the fuzzy swab that u push on, nor chamois (real or fake)
Over all my vote goes to Doc (plus you get the free Vitamin M that you should not give to accordianists).
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-02-11 15:01
I'm certainly not "running-down" silk as a swab material, BUT, quite some time ago, I read Keith Stein's suggestions on making your own from a strategically cut triangle of chamois skin, which I did for my bass cls. Its still holding up and polishing the bores well. Some commercially-mades may also ve OK. [Altmodish?] Don
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Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2003-02-11 16:07
I've used cotton, made my own chamois, and used silk. I have tried "The doctor's" swabs, but so far, Gem, gets my vote. I've used one for over 20 years. I particularly like the coated weight that doesn't scratch bores. They can be laid over the clarinet in the case and dry out quickly. They are strong and lightweight and don't get stuck on the register tube. I don't like the chamois swabs, although I do lay a piece over my instruments in my double case, they are too thick and don't dry well.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2003-02-11 16:51
I've used all the above xcept the Gem and plus Jeanne's and homemade. Yes, you have to wipe the joints separately. The silks are nice but I'm of the opinion you need to use cotton occasionally to get the "deposits"(whatever they are). Cotton works best for me if you don't try to pull it past the register tube/thumb tube projections.....just back it out and go in the other end and back out again. I only use the "stiffies" for quick barrel/mp absorbs during play. Have never used my socks!
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Author: Todd W.
Date: 2003-02-11 17:55
Sue --
I agree with any of the swabs mentioned (especially silk--less bulk to get stuck in the bore); best to have a coated weight to help prevent scratches.
I use a microfiber cloth (mine came from The Woodwind and Brasswind) to dry the tenons and sockets and gently wipe the keys. Kleenex and other tissues will produce lots of lint, which is not a good thing.
Whenever possible I leave my swab and drying cloth outside the case, usually hung over the music stand or the back of a chair so they dry better.
Todd W.
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Author: Benni
Date: 2003-02-11 22:17
I use a homemade chamois swab - I find it very absorbent and usually only requires one pull-through to get all the moisture out of the clarinet. It's also very handy for getting all that water out of the barrel and tenon sockets.
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Author: Richard
Date: 2003-02-11 22:22
Sue
After trying most of the swabs out there I’m sold on the Doctors Black Legend. It’s light, extremely absorbent, and dries quickly. I have no problem leaving it in my case-at least until I get home
Once or twice a week, I also use a chamois swab that leaves a nice sheen to the bore. As Don Berger has already pointed out, Keith Stein has an excellent description of its construction and usage in his book “The Art of Clarinet Playing”. You can get a copy at a reasonable price from Van Cott Information Services. It works.
For initial clean up of joints and recesses –Brawny Paper towels work great - and no lent.
Richard
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Author: Dee
Date: 2003-02-11 22:45
It is quite normal to have to dry the sockets separately after swabbing out the instrument.
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Author: John Elison
Date: 2003-02-12 02:00
I like micro fiber swabs best. I tried silk swabs and didn’t like them. I also use a micro fiber cloth to wipe my instrument. There’s a local music store that sells micro fiber swabs and cloths for $5.75, which I think is a great price because I use two swabs. The first one goes from bell to barrel to pull all the major moisture out the way it came in and the second goes from barrel to bell a couple of time to get any remaining moisture and smooth the bore in a downward direction to improve subsequent flow away from tone holes.
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Author: Jerry
Date: 2003-02-13 00:52
John:
You stated you use the 2nd swab in the opposite direction "to improve subsequent flow away from tone holes." What is actually going on here that causes "subsequent flow away from tone holes?" Why would this second swabbing have this effect?
Jerry
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