 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JoeMich
Date: 2004-09-28 22:59
During the last year I've been fortunate to find 3 "vintage" Selmer clarinets: 2 Series 9s and a CT. The horns themselfs are in nice condition, but the case zippers are difficult to open and close. I've tried cleaning them with a stiff-bristled brush and applied a coating of parrafin, but not much help. I dont want to continue tugging on the pull-tabs for fear of tearing the zippers. Any suggestions on how to get the zippers to work smoothly and easily? I'm sure some of you fine folks must have been original owners "back when" ...... were they always stubborn????
Joe.
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Author: CPW
Date: 2004-09-29 00:31
Go to luggage repair place or a good cobbler
replace them with ....shudder...plastic zippers
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Author: clarinetdaddy
Date: 2004-09-29 02:23
Hello Joe, Many years ago I had my tri-pak selmer alto case re-zippered. I wish I could tell you the name of the company but I found it in the Musician Union Paper. They replace it with the same type of zipper. They are located in New York, I just wish I could offer more information. But they did it and it looked like it came back from the original.
Miles
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Author: William
Date: 2004-09-29 14:59
As I recall, the zipper on my old Semer CT--as well as the one on my Mark VI trepack case--were all sluggish, even when new. And, they are even more "fun" when you get a bit of cloth stuck in the mesh. One night I also most had to tear my case appart just to get my sax out for a gig. However, they do get better with use, so "zippity-do-dah, zippity-day......(etc)" and good luck.
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Author: kal
Date: 2004-09-30 20:22
I have one of these... I (carefully) lube the zipper pull with WD-40 every now and then. Works great : )
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-09-30 21:00
Same on my old CT case, a bit of lube helps. I have a fairly recent Selmer USA Omega case with plastic zipper , works easily ! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: martind
Date: 2004-10-01 03:31
Joe,
I've had the same zipper problem with my old C-T double clarinet case.
Yea, it's still broken.......can't use both zippers. I also need a new zipper
for my vintage '62 Selmer T.sax case cover. The info on the ZipperLab
info looks good.....check them out. Oh, I use vasoline on my old zippers.
Good luck!
Martn
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Author: John Morton
Date: 2004-10-01 16:27
I recommend against the use of WD-40 as a lubricant. It is slippery at first, but leaves behind a gummy residue when it dries - and you're adding to it every time you apply more. WD-40 is notorious as the wrong thing to use in locks.
I think the best thing for zippers might be a teflon lubricant such as one uses for bike chains. Tri-Flow is one brand, comes in a spray can.
John
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-10-01 16:59
Reluctant worn/bent zippers can often be improved with a careful squeeze at the narrow end of the slider.
Squeeze from top to bottom (not so easy with pliers, but perhaps a gently tap with a small hammer would suffice) and/or from left to right, carrying out this latter operation at both the top of the slider and the bottom.
Note that this end of the slider is quite fragile, and distorts (especially top to bottom) quite easily, which is quite likely why you have the problem.
Post Edited (2004-10-01 17:00)
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2004-10-01 19:48
We always used to use bee's wax, purchased for cents at the fabric store. Not sure if it's available anymore.
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Author: JoeMich
Date: 2004-10-01 20:20
My sincere thanks for all the response! I'll first try exercising the zipper per Williams suggestion. If I dont get results, I'll then try bees wax, a TINY bit of vasaline, etc. If still no improvement, then get out the tools and follow Gordons suggestion.
Again, many thanks,
Joe.
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