The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2004-09-16 04:40
I'm right now looking at the Doctor's website...
What the *#)^(@ is the difference, performance-wise, between the two different cork greases???? I understand that one is synthetic, and, presumably, the other is "natural" but how does this affect (or not affect) the performance of them?
Katrina
Post Edited (2004-09-16 04:41)
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Author: Karel
Date: 2004-09-16 05:00
My understanding is that the synthetic is a very slippery substance which is great for the "slip" side of things but does not "nourish the cork", whereas Doctor Slick is a natural product with good "slip" qualities but it also has cork nutrients which prolong the cork's life. The Doctor is very approachable and helpful, why don't you send him an e-mail? And share the answer?
Karel.
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Author: Kalakos
Date: 2004-09-16 06:18
Hi, Katrina:
I contacted the "Doctor" and asked him some questions and then ordered some of his cork stuff. It is really good. Not greasy like the usual cork stuff you buy. I recommend it. Try some.
Also, he sent me some neat "vitamin pills" in a pill box!!!! You'll see what I mean if he sends you some. VBG :-)
Kalakos
Kalakos Music
http://www.TAdelphia.com
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2004-09-16 12:20
Katrina:
I have both. The synthetic Dr. Syntek IMO doesn't work as well as the non-synthetic Dr. Slick. It is definitely more slippery but it's messy & you must reapply every time you use it. The Dr. Slick lasts longer and is much easier to apply.
MOO,
Matt
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2004-09-16 13:35
Kat,
Get the Black Legend swab and thank me later.
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: hans
Date: 2004-09-16 13:50
Re: "...... break down the glue under the cork like regular cork grease does.".....that does not reflect my experience.
After nearly 16 years of regular (Selmer brand, but I would be very surprised if they manufactured it) cork grease use, my corks are all in great shape. Only one (top joint, barrel end) has ever been replaced, only because the barrel got stuck when the clarinet was new and undergoing severe humity changes (Canadian winter).
Hans
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2004-09-16 13:54
Both are better than any other product IMHO.
Matter of Preference'...."but you are worth it."
Ditto for the swab.
And Vitamin M...just keep it away from accordian players.
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Author: jim lande
Date: 2004-09-17 01:01
Have both. Prefer the dr Slick. (Works great as lip baum, too.) If I knew where I had it, I would use the artificial stuff after recorking and assembling for the first time. I use some of the natural product almost every time I put the horn together. In a previous thread, someone said that you could go longer with the artificial type.
Get the swab. (Ask for black -- that's the in color this year.)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-09-17 05:37
I'm sure there is no difference at all between any of the brands. I've used several brands and all of them were just as good. (although some have asmell and need to come with a vometing bag)
Post Edited (2004-09-17 07:48)
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Author: Karel
Date: 2004-09-17 07:45
Clarnibass, obviously you have not used the Doctor's products or you could not say that. I would agree that all the "chapstick" varieties are much the same, but the Doctor's stuff is not of the same ilk at all. Try it.
Karel.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-09-17 12:29
Karel is right. There is a difference between Cork Greases - some absorb and spread whereas others don't much at all and end up on the end of the joint.
Selmer Brand Cork Grease was notorious for doing that whereas Vandoren wasn't.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-09-17 12:49
That is right, I haven't tried the Doctor's cork grease. What I meant is I've tried a few different brands and they all were just fine. I never had a problem with any of them. I might try the Doctor's one. There was the cork grease but also the cork itself. What is that? Is he selling cork?
Thanks.
Post Edited (2004-09-17 13:02)
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2004-09-17 14:39
The late Abe Galper had a formula for making your own cork grease. It used bees wax and some other ingredients. I suppose other formulae are out there. My teacher has a coffee can full of the stuff which should last an eternity.
The Doc's products look, smell, and behave totally different than any commercial brand. Apples and oranges, or Corigliano and Mozart. Try both types....you will never go back to the little tin of micro or the chapstick clones.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
Post Edited (2004-09-17 14:40)
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2004-09-17 14:54
oooo for 20 bucks, you can get the doctor's student kit. It comes with dr. slick, the black legend swab, mpc cleaner, etc. It's a great deal! I love my swab!
--CG
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-09-17 22:31
During the War years....no not the Civil War......those little salve cans of cork grease had a distinctive smell. If I smelled that smell today I would be transported back to those days of yesteryear. What was that smell due to?
None of today's cork greases smell that way. Oh, for one whiff.
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Author: hans
Date: 2004-09-17 23:10
Bob,
If you are thinking of those little Micro tins, I think I still have one somewhere. The next time I come across it, if it still has its "fragrance", I'll be happy to send it to you.
Cheers,
Hans
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Author: CPW
Date: 2004-09-18 02:25
smelled more like fish oil.
Gee....lower your bad cholesterol and grease the corks at the same time.
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2004-09-22 19:38
A tech once told me he liked to use trombone slilde grease. I have tried it and it seems to work pretty well and maybe last a little longer than the normal commercial cork grease. Anyone else use this?
Leonard
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Author: Neil
Date: 2004-09-22 21:36
I've been using Thompson Center's Bore Butter muzzleloader lube on my Vito's corks for the last 6 mos. It seems to work well and it has a pleasant fragrance.
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Author: matilda
Date: 2004-09-22 21:41
has anyone heard of "la tromba slide and cork grease" ive got some but not sure that its doing my clainnet any good. what has anyone else found?!??
thanks
matilda
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-09-22 22:32
I have yet to find ANYBODY who has compared what they are using with the Doctor's Products (or Alisyn which is similar) and gone back to what they were using.
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Author: John Morton
Date: 2004-09-22 22:44
I'd be inclined to use anything that fits the little socket for a cork grease tin in my antique case. There are containers sold now with that shape, but they are larger and won't fit. I am jealous of every cubic centimeter of case space.
John
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Author: susieray
Date: 2004-09-23 06:28
Speaking of cork grease containers......does anyone remember ever having one of these? (see attachment)
It's a little black jar with a screw off cap. Kinda cute.
It's only about 3/4" tall including the cap. I don't know how easy it would've been to get at the cork grease though.
Sue
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Author: Neil
Date: 2004-09-23 21:12
Pyrodex P (Equivalent to FFFg Black Powder). The substance in question is a natural, petroleum-free lubricant that I happened to have lying around and I was curious to see how well it would work as cork grease. I use Dr. Slick on main instrument. The test is not exactly rigorous as I don't know how old the corks on the Vito are or what they've been lubricated with in the past, as well as the fact that I don't play the two instruments with equal regularity.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-09-23 21:31
Hans and Gordon: Sorry for the delay. I do have a couple of the micro tins but "the smell is gone" (my next song). No, it wasn't a honey smell. Have never smelled anything the same as that old cork grease smell. Oh, no, it wasn't a rancid smell either. If I got a whiff today I'd be transported back to the practice room.
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