 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Elleceaus
Date: 2004-06-05 20:16
I have an old wood clarinet that I want to just clean up a bit (nothing drastic yet, like pads and corks, just cleaning it up for now). It's been in storage for years and it's dirty. Is a mixture of soap and water okay to use (with a soft wash cloth)? I wasn't sure.
Post Edited (2004-06-05 20:19)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jo.clarinet
Date: 2004-06-05 20:49
I bought a selection of the Doctor's products (a sponsor of this BBoard) and have found them to be very good for cleaning up and maintaining my clarinets.
I think you can get to his site by clicking on 'Accessories'. 
Joanna Brown
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-06-05 20:57
I think I'd start with a soft brushing, inside and out, to preserve the old history, clean the tenons/sockets with a soft rag, and assess what more needs be done. At this stage, I'd oil all the key pivot points, set aside for an hour or two, then start removing the keys, inspecting pads and springs. When stripped, you can consider oiling the bore and outer surface with almond [or Doctor's ] wood treatment oil. Inspect and evaluate! My method !
Nuff for now? Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-06-05 21:17
I forgot to say that I return the screws and rods [after cleaning] to from where they came, some repairers use a board, or other locating method to avoid mixup. Also, the degree of key cleanup/buffing can be considered when removed. Just doin' what comes nacherly. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2004-06-05 22:15
Here's how Clark Fobes, a noted clarinet repair tech and mouthpiece maker, does it:
http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Equipment/Care/Cleaning.html
IMO, you can substitute the appropriate Doctor's product or almond oil or bore oil for the Naylor's.
Note that you must remove all the keys before you clean the clarinet to protect the pads. When you have done that, be aware that you will have exposed a number of needle springs in many places pointing in many directions whose sole object in life (aside from providing tension to keys) is to stick you! Also, be sure to keep track of where each rod came from and the order in which you removed the keys so that you have a fighting chance of getting the instrument back together again. Don suggested a couple of approaches above. Another one is to keep each rod in its respective key's tube.
Some repair techs wash an instrument before applying their version of Clark's treatment. Unless your clarinet is very dirty, washing is probably not necessary. If you do wash, however, I would recommend Murphy's Oil Soap.
If, after you have removed the keys, you are feeling adventurous, you can also find basic instructions for replacing tenon corks and pads at:
http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Equipment/Care/index.html
Be careful. One of the more unpleasant side effects of the pleasure you get from putting an old clarinet back into playing condition is an irresistable urge to buy old clarinets on eBay. You have been warned!
Best regards,
jnk
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-06-06 00:22
Well said and referenced, JNK, comprehensive, better than my "off the top of the head" advice. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Elleceaus
Date: 2004-06-06 22:28
Thank you so much for the help. That'll definitely get me started and get this old fella cleaned up. Eventually- I do hope to embark on the Tenon Cork and Pad Replacement Adventure. This is my "project" clarinet so I look forward to the fun. I appreciate all the advice (thank you Mark, Don, Joanna and JNK).
Many Thanks,
~Elle
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
