 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: chrystineNYC
Date: 2004-03-31 00:14
Hello again.. yet another naive clarinet owner question from me..
Just purchased a used Selmer Bundy clarinet off ebay.. came in to me with a bit of an odor.. suppose that weighted swab wasn't used as often. If I take this to any of the wonderful NYC maintenance references I found on the board here, will they look at me and shake their head? LOL. I looked inside the two joints and found that it looks a bit stained and dirty. Is this something an outside repairman can clean or can I simply buy a kit. Corks looks a bit worn but seem in playable condition. The case seems as if it has been infected with the "wonderful" odors of a closet so wondering if there is anything I can do with that as well.
Thanks,
Clary Chryssy
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-03-31 00:56
Quote:
If I take this to any of the wonderful NYC maintenance references I found on the board here, will they look at me and shake their head? Well, take solace in the fact that if he's a reputable and well-known repairman, chances are that NO MATTER what you bring him, he's seen worse.
As for the case having odors, why not try Febreze? Seems to me it should work. Mothballs I heard work too.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: cujo
Date: 2004-03-31 01:01
If your case smells even a little like mold or mildew throw it out. I would suggest having your clarinet chem cleaned at a shop. Do not put a clean clarinet in a nasty case.
Off Ebay in your described condition you have a good chance of leaky pads and old nasty pads/cork. You probably will need a few adjustments done too.
I do not know how much you play but if you are a beginner I really suggest a professional check you clarinet for whatever may be wrong with it. It is not fun trying to learn how to play any instrument that is not correctly adjusted or just plain leaky.
If your case smells like nothing is growing or living(or lived) in there and is only musty.
1. Get some baking soda and pour some in and shake
2. Let sit for a few hours.
3. Vacuum and repeat.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-03-31 01:41
I beg to differ with the above, I have cleaned up some "baddies", making [FIRST] the use of "natural" cleaning, removing everything from the case, putting it, open, out doors in bright sunlight for as many hours as possible. If further cleaning is necessary, then go to detergents etc. For the cl itself, I'd remove all keys, replacing the rods and pivot screws from where they came [makes reassembly much easier], then brush inside and out, being careful of the springs !!, If plastic, using soap and water is OK [with careful drying], if wood, I'd use bore oil, almond/apricot preferred. Then do what padding/corking is needed, reassemble, adjust, play, readjust, play etc, or just take it to a repairer [at any stage] for finishing. Much Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: cujo
Date: 2004-03-31 02:17
Oh yea sunny days are also great.
I have a few instruments off ebay used and they were usually less than described and need a bit work to get them to play properly. Yours may be a nicely setup instrument but from my experience with ebay they all needed a bit of fixing.
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2004-03-31 03:20
Another vote for setting the opened case out in the strong sun for a few days - somewhere where it won't get stolen. Direct sunshine is a great disinfectant. Let the pros make suggestions for your instrument.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-03-31 03:29
That's a good question, Chryssy 
This thread reminds me that most of us have no doubt already heard of the band director who instructed all the brass players to give their instruments a "monthly bath". Saxdude Sam, being very quick with his assessment that saxes are made of brass, that same evening... well, I'm sure you get the picture....
After all the keys have been removed from the instrument, plastic clarinets respond admirably to tepid baths. I like to use a moderate measure of Dawn or Joy dish detergent. After cleaning inside and out, rinse and dry well with a soft towel (or compressed air if that's available to you). The clarinet body is now prepped for repad, recork or re-assembly - whatever you find necessary while it's 'undressed'.
Fabreze works for me in most cases.
(...go to your room, ron)
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
Post Edited (2004-03-31 03:31)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-03-31 12:45
Yes, Febreze is great too. The wonderful NYC tech might cost more than you paid for the Bundy. The plastic Joy bath sounds great if its plastic.
Use Doc's wood cleaner if it's wood.
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2004-03-31 14:46
BTW it's Fabreze, in case you wanted to research it.
In most circumstances it's probably fine to use, but be aware that some with severe allergies can't tolerate it (a friend of mine has severe allergies and can't have it near her). Because of the zinc chloride that it contains - or used to contain, depending on who you listen to - it's not a good idea to use it if you have pet birds or small animals, either. (www.sobaybirdsoc.org)
Just a heads up for the sensitive!
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Author: chrystineNYC
Date: 2004-03-31 15:37
Thank you all for the responses.
I think after much consideration and suggestions here, I'll just bite the bullet and take it to the shop. I know, I know.. chickening out.
The case is a lost cause. I wouldn't even put the smelly clarinet back in there..
Thanks again!!
Chrys
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2004-03-31 16:23
For a "slightly musty" case, pour white vinegar on Breeze fabric softener sheets. Close the case and leave it for a few days. This can often freshen things up a bit.
I agree on the "really nasty case" - throw it out.
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-03-31 20:59
I always get confused between BTW and BLT and this causes problems in restaurants. I guess I've been using the wrong stuff because my bottle says Febreze. You might want to try it, Brenda because it has both the Good Housekeeping and ASPCA seals. Instructions in French too. The dog doesn't seem to mind and he smells much better. Made by Proctor and Gamble.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-03-31 23:09
I couldn't resist the overpowering urge to dash out and look. Sure 'nuff, Bob, my container of Febreze just sat there grinnin' at me
- ron b -
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Author: Pete
Date: 2004-04-01 00:36
Personally, I have yet to see an EBay clarinet that did not need a complete repad anyway, so the smell stuff is of no consequence.
If you have the instrument repadded, make sure ALL of the pads and corks are replaced. The life expectancy of a set of pads on a student line instrument is usually about 7 to 10 years, and the Bundy name has not been used in probably 7 or so years. You are due in any case.
When the pads and corks are replaced, make sure the keys and body are chemically cleaned and the keys buffed back to a nice shine. Also, make sure the keys are fitted properly to make up for any wear. Besides, Bundy keys were never fit correctly at the factory in the first place. A good repair person will make the instrument play better than when it was new.
Often the case can be saved by using automotive upholstry cleaner. Beware, however, that the chemicals may cause problems for people allergic or sensitive to chemical oders. Make sure you vacuum the case well after it dries out. Also, as has been mentioned, leaving it in the sun will help dissipate any lingering chemical oders. Make sure the clarinet does not come in contact with the case until the case is completely dry.
Be aware that this kind of work will set you back $180.00 to $200.00 or so. However, that is still a lot cheaper than buying a new student clarinet that will not play as well as a professionally set up used one such as yours.
Emerson Musical Instrument Repair
North East Wisconsin Band Instrument Co.
ToneLure Tone Enhancement
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2004-04-01 02:22
BobD - dogs would go through a lot of this stuff - they usually have, well to put it nicely, BO. It's no wonder they're on the ads. But I don't have pets, I have children. I had a good laugh, though!
So the spelling is with an E? OK, I'll take that - it's just that in all the sites I looked at it was with an A, like "Fabric - breeze", Fabreeze. Oh well, I don't have a bottle at home to look at, and it doesn't matter. I still think direct sunshine is the best, and is non-allergenic . I had to use it for my expensive reed case before I learned the trick to keep the reeds from molding. The clarinet itself is another matter, though.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-04-01 13:32
Someone mentioned it months ago here so I went looking for it as Fabreze at my local Ace Hardware. Walked by it a few times until I put on my glasses and was surprised at the spelling. It works and so does sunshine....sometimes. But neither gets at the foam or other padding that may be present especially in the top lid and some of these are hopeless. Mold and whatever other creatures live there can only be treated by complete physical removal.....in my experience. The "F" stuff works good on sneakers too.....
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Author: Sue G
Date: 2004-04-02 18:10
Hi,
Just wanted to add a little note in defence of some of the sellers on Ebay - I was fortunate enough to purchase an excellent Noblet clarinet last year - I bought it from a repair man and it was exactly as described. My local repair chappie reckons that it's a really nice instrument and was a good buy.
There are some bargains to be had but you can be had too if you're not careful - I was lucky I know.
Sue
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