 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: justwannaplay
Date: 2004-06-15 21:04
I turn to you kind and knowledgeable people to help me think this through.
I'm still playing on my student Yamaha 26II, but have realized that the 6C mpc is just not doing it for me (sounds shrill, uneven etc.). (I listened to the store owner who said that the 6C should be good for me 'for about a year' - and several posters here have said that Yamaha mpcs are good (but maybe just not for me).) When home in the US, I took out my old mpc, which is a NEMC, steelite ebonite, France, G8, which I know several of you guys have and like. I had it recorked, but not with reference to the Yamaha, because I wasn't intending to use it with it (thinking the 6C was ok). About a month ago for fun, I put it on the Yamaha, and it was incredible, the difference - it made the Yamaha sound like a real clarinet! Unfortunately it is loose, so following some suggestions on various threads, I just used a little masking tape on the NEMC. But the sound comes out buzzy (also, the NEMC doesn't seem to be quite the right kind of mpc for the Yamaha). I went back to the 6C a couple of days ago, but it is impossible, I need the NEMC! However, I don't really want to recork the NEMC for the Yamaha because I intend to use it for another clarinet, but that one has to be restored. So what should I do in the meantime?
A) continue with the masking tape method
OR
B) Just go ahead and recork the NEMC for the Yamaha, and then for the restored clarinet? (the NEMC fits the barrel of the restoration job, but not tight tight)
OR
C) buy another mpc that's similar to the NEMC for the Yamaha? (which I prefer not to do because I need to pool my funds to the restoration).
OR
D) struggle with the 6C on the Yamaha, until the other clarinet is restored (not really an option!).
p.s. I also swapped the barrel, and that fits on the Yamaha top joint, but the sound, resistence, doesn't seem right.
Thanks so much for any input.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-06-15 21:26
You can use wax dental floss inbetween the cork and the socket. That's plenty cheap enough and should work fine (make sure it's wax).
Also keep in mind that if you DO recork it for the yamaha, and it's too tight on the other clarinet, you can just have the cork shaved down a bit. (Recorking should not cost much AT ALL. I believe I had mine recorked at a local music shop for a few bucks. VERY easy to do and VERY cheap.)
Anothing thing people do is boil water, and put a butter knife in there to heat up. Then gently wipe the cork with the butter knife. The heat will make the cork expand and the little water on the knife will keep a little moisture in there. There are various ways of heating the cork (down to just a good 'ol lighter) but this one was filed away in my brain as it seemed to be one of the simplest/safest.
I would NOT pick options C or D above. There WILL be a simple way to get that mouthpiece on there without spending too much (or, if you can expand the cork, nothing at all!)
Alexi
Retired, playing more sax than clarinet, but still playing clarinet and still loving it!
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Author: justwannaplay
Date: 2004-06-15 22:05
Thanks Alexi! I'll try the dental floss (its the loose bits of the masking tape that's causing the buzzing, I'm sure). I forgot you can shave the cork down!
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Author: hans
Date: 2004-06-15 22:10
Teflon tape (used by plumbers) should fill the gap nicely. Masking tape might leave sticky residue and it tends to deteriorate after contact with moisture.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-06-15 23:25
Above suggestions are all good. I'd use masking tape or any kind of sticky tape as a last resort only. Don't forget the old standby: a piece of paper torn or cut to about the width of your tenon. Wrap it around once, twice, whatever you need, and tear off the excess. Wet it a little so it stays in place and you're in business.
If you've never used a ligher before (open flame heat source), I wouldn't advise it. Cork is highly flammable and can be reduced to ash in a wink.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2004-06-15 23:57
Mine is another vote for teflon plumbers tape. I've used it with excellent results on tenons, when I didn't want to take the time to recork.
John
Post Edited (2004-06-15 23:57)
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Author: justwannaplay
Date: 2004-06-16 07:22
Thank you all for the advice - I'll try: floss, paper, plumbers tape in that order, before resorting to a recorking (the cork would have to stand pretty proud).
gratefully,
Elizabeth
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Author: justwannaplay
Date: 2004-06-16 21:47
Just to let you know - they wax dental floss worked a treat. Amazing! No buzzing, nice sound. Thanks a million,
Elizabeth
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