 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Henry
Date: 2004-01-22 22:29
My 1964 Leblanc LL's barrel shows some roughness/gunk in the bore, particularly in the central 1" or so . The ends are nice and shiny (as are the bores of the upper and lower joints). I have oiled the barrel a few times since I acquired the horn a year-and-a-half ago but that hasn't (and wouldn't be expected to) eliminate the visible roughness. I have tried to smoothen the surface by rubbing it with paper towel and it has helped somewhat. I am reluctant to go in there with fine sand/emery paper, as I don't really want to inadvertently increase the diameter. Does anyone have any ideas on how to clean this up totally and safely? Much thanks in advance!
Henry
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Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2004-01-22 23:11
Hi Henry,
I use a clarinet bore brush I bought from Ferree's Tools Inc. It's on page 20 of their catalog part number H25. I think it's less than $3.00. Best investment I ever made. Once I used it in combination with "The Doctor's" wood cleaner and made a bore "super clean". You just have to make sure you get all the cleaner out, let it dry, and then re-oil.
Regards
Mark
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2004-01-23 02:10
Be careful. If you like the way it plays and sounds, thats more important than how it looks. I "smoothed out" a rough looking barrel bore, and when I was done it looked a lot better, but it didn't play as well. I ended up getting another barrel which looked and played mch like the original had before I messed with it.
Once burned.
John
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Author: cujo
Date: 2004-01-23 03:47
I have seen a wood clarinet that looked really dirty inside. But was told it is like that from wood fibers or something. If regular cleaning doesnt clear it, it may be better to leave it alone.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-01-23 12:47
Here's another subject where there are opposing opinions....check the archives and literature. I don't know the answer to your question but consider the following. Wood has a grain that you can liken to a cat's hair. Rub it the wrong way and you raise the grain....the point being that if you "sand" it the wrong way it will become rougher.....and if it ever does smooth out the bore will be larger. I tend to agree with JOJ....i.e. leave it alone if you like the way it plays.
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Author: Henry
Date: 2004-01-23 21:06
Thanks all for your good suggestions. Mark, I happened to have the Doc's Wood Cleaner in my arsenal and used it to at least "loosen up" the brownish gunk. (I don't have Ferree's brush; it might be a good thing to get, though.) Then I worked on the gunk, first with paper towel and then with a blunted toothpick (rather soft wood vis-a-vis the "mpingo"). I think I got rid of all of it without doing any damage to the wood surface. The barrel bore is black and shiny again! After cleaning, drying and reoiling, I hoped I would now sound like Benny Goodman or Larry Combs. Not quite (yet)! My tone may have improved slightly but that's probably purely psychological. (Like the ride of a freshly washed car!)
Thanks again.
Henry
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-01-24 20:08
In your Grocery store, if they have a section devoted to infants, you may find a 'bottle brush' which has a smaller brush captured in the end of the larger brush.
These should be mosly mild plastics, and won't harm your bore if handled delicately. I use a gun cleaning kit with long aluminum extensions to pass some '0000' grade steel wool when overhauling older clarinets.
With a little oil, it gets the bore to shine brightly.
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