 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-06-05 12:01
I recently ordered some products from the Doctor (www.doctorsprod.com), and here is my 'review' of the goods I received.
The "Black Legend Swab" was silver... Much better than black! It's got an excellent rubber-coated weight, nice long cord, and the swab itself is rounded, rather than the rectangular ones you buy 'just anywhere'. It cleaned quite thoroughly, and the more I used it, the better it got.
I tried out the "Doctor MP" mouthpiece cleaner. Until now, I had been soaking the mouthpiece in concentrated lemon juice overnight. "Doctor MP" takes just 15 minutes, and it cleaned more thoroughly than lemon juice ever did, with no odour whatsoever. It even came with measuring spoon and cup (it's a powder you dissolve in liquid).
The mouthpiece protector bag has come in handy - I put my mouthpiece in it and then keep it in my case, so it won't move around and possibly get scratched. The inside, being microfiber, is non-abrasive and really really soft! I have every confidence in leaving my expensive and treasured Greg Smith in there!
One fault, I must say, is the velcro seal at the opening. At first I nearly scratched my mpc as it needs to slide past the velcro to get into the bag. However, I found you can simply roll the opening outwards when putting the mpc in or taking it out.
"Doctor Slick", I don't know how I lived without it. It's all natural, so I wasn't worried about my cork. It is applied easily (just like any other tube of cork grease), and it helps your joints simply slide together, but amazingly, your instrument won't just fall apart. (Can apparently be used as chap-stick too!)
The "Thirsty Reed Pad" is great. I ordered the portable light-weight version. I can't really say if it works or not yet, I don't think I've used it long enough.
I also got 2 boxes on Gonzalez reeds, 3 3/4. I've trialed 2 of these reeds and loved them, so I decided to start using them for a while, see how I go with them.
It took a week exactly to reach me here in Melbourne, Australia. The key oil (as part of the Student Kit) leaked, something I'm sure wasn't The Doctor's fault, it could have simply been rough handling anywhere between the U.S and Australia (a LONG journey!).
Overall, I'd have to say TRY THE DOC'S PRODUCTS! I'm never buying my accessories from just anywhere ever again, the Doc has delivered goods that are simply superior to that which is commercially available, and he's gained a new regular customer.
Congrats Docco, hope you continue the good work for a long time to come!
10 / 10
PS> This is the obligatory bit where I tell you I don't work for Doctor's Products and was not paid to write this 'review'.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-05 13:41
Agreed. Doc's products are great. The mp case is good for glasses too.
I use most of them but still like to experiment on my own with various products I come across at Ace Hardware and Berland's Tools and elsewhere. One recent discovery is Clapham's Beeswax Polish. Another is Kiwi's Camp Dry Beeswax waterproofer. Good old Tung oil is another favorite of mine. Of course I don't sell these or have any financial interest in those who do sell them so if they ruin my cork or horns I have only myself to blame. A tool I found recently at Ace made by Stanley is a plastic rod you use to clean sink drains without removing any of the hardware. Thought I might try it for removing a stuck cleaning cloth I occasionally use to oil the bore. No, I'm not being facetious, these are all actual products and considered opinions.
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2003-06-06 12:58
(Disclaimer - I sell silk swabs and student kits). Just a clarification - the "Black Legend Swab" - is black. In the student kit I include a swab that is made to the same design specifications as the pro model but use ends of bolts of silk from a ladies garment manufacturer here in town. This silk is heavy blouse quality but may be in different colors depending on what I can get at a good price.
The Doctor
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-06-07 08:17
The student kit explicitly says it contains a Black Legend Swab though?
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2003-06-07 12:10
For clarification - (Disclaimer - I sell silk swabs) I do not intend to mislead and even befuddle myself at times with descriptions old and new on the shelves. I have a bunch of student kits made at various times and with various batches of silk. The "Legend" is a design series and most all have come in black - some in my stock of student kits are other colors including silver, based on the availability of end of bolt material at the time. I have a contract supplier in China where I get large bolts (150-200 yards/bolt) of Black Charmeuse silk (at an emperor's ransom) woven to my tight specifications for finish and thickness and used exclusively for the Black "Legend" Professional Swabs. Swabs in student kits will continue to be the same design cut but made from heavy silk Charmeuse from women's garment manufacture end of bolt runs - I chemically remove garment treatments and test each bolt batch by a standardized water absorption test before they are sewn. Customers can substitute a professional swab in the student kit for an additional fee.
The Doctor
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-07 14:13
On occasion I've used my wife's discarded kneehigh "nylons" and an old silk handkerchief I have but they don't work as well as the black or maroon silks.
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