 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ClariBone
Date: 2004-12-09 12:04
HeyI purchased a LeBlanc Opus clarinet and within a year it had shown signs of tarnishing on the keys!!! I didn't think much of it except it is getting worse!!! This tarnish is appearing where my fingers NEVER touch the clarinet!!! I had wiped my fingerprints off after I played EVERY time with a soft cloth, and even used anti-tarnish strips for awhile. Is this a problem with the instrument?? Should I ask (demand?) the company fix the problem or refund me?? Or should I just stick it out wit a really nasty-looking clarinet??
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-12-09 12:31
Depends on how much you like the clarinet and what you feel personally. If it plays very well and you're happy with the sound, I don't think a refund would be a very good option to go with. You can always get it replated.
But personally speaking, I care very little for how one looks or what brand it is compared to how it plays. So I would make my calls on sound.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-12-09 12:43
It is almost certainly something to do with the environment in which you are playing it.
The following may contaminate the atmosphere and result in tarnish:
Sulphur compounds contaminating the environment is the most likely cause.
Some possibilities include industrial pollution, vehicle exhaust gases, emissions from a gas heater or gas cooker or open fire, rubber (carpet underlay?), onions, garlic, egg (cooking fumes?), wool (includes felt), geothermal activity, sodium metabisulphite used for in home wine making, possibly some cosmetics, a deteriorating hard rubber mouthpiece.....
Other possibilities are salt spray near the coast, and chlorine fumes say from a spa pool or other source.
If it is simply tarnish, then it is difficult to blame the manufacturer. If there is PITTING in the areas you describe, then it could be poor plating.
Note that fumes given off by materials used in making cases have been incriminated in the past with some instruments.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-12-09 12:53
I'm assuming the keys are silver plated!? Your fingers are serving to remove the tarnish that is formed in those areas. Silver tarnishes....period...and I can never understand why people who object to this natural phenomenon persist in purchasing silver plated items. Yes, it's due to sulfur in the air.....unless you store your horn or play it in a photographic darkroom......or carry your egg sandwiches in your case.
Bob Draznik
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2004-12-09 12:58
Just for reference, I also have an Opus (bought used -- it's about 10 years old) with the silver keys, that I've been playing for about a year. The keys still look as good as new, and I have taken no unusual precautions with it.
Susan
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2004-12-09 14:18
Get some of those little silver strip things to put in your case. Contact The Doctor's Products to see what he has and what he suggests for your problem. <www.doctorsprod.com>
I agree it's more likely an environmental problem than one with the instrument.
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Author: GEM
Date: 2004-12-09 18:27
It could also be something similar in nature to the items Gordon NZ listed being on your hands when you play. Consider what chemicals you use for various daily tasks and what items you may be cooking, etc. Think of it the same way disease transmission prevention is taught - wash your hands often, and especially before you handle your clarinet.
GEM
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2004-12-09 19:16
Rubber also contains sulfur, so any rubber objects such as rubber bands you may have in your case should be removed.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-12-09 21:33
silver tarnishes regardless of how old it is. Maybe your old one has been lacquered
Bob Draznik
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Author: pzaur
Date: 2004-12-10 01:53
I second what BobD said earlier about your fingers removing the offending chemicals.
Are you wiping down the ENTIRE instrument or just they keys that your fingers typically use? What keys on the instrument are actually tarnishing?
In regards to other products being the culprit, it could be your mouthpiece which is causing the tarnishing. Rubber and silver do not mix at all. As anyone who seriously collects silver items knows, you don't store it anywhere near rubber. Rubber lets off a gas which tarnishes silver and can also pit silver over time. A good example of this would be the Vandoren Optimum ligature which is silver. It will tarnish quickly if just kept on the mouthpiece during use and storage (99.9% of the time).
To quote BobD again "Silver tarnishes regardless of how old it is." That's a big reason why my wife and I decided not to get "real" silverware when we got married. Too much upkeep.
-pat
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-12-10 07:00
If the clarinet is good just ignore it. At least that is what I would have done.
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Author: OpusII
Date: 2004-12-10 08:52
It’s most likely caused by your mouthpiece…. a very common problem. Vandoren sells a Pouch where you can store the mouthpiece in, this would probably reduce the tarnish.
You can buy the so called anti- tarnish strips, that you store in the case together with your clarinet. Leblanc does sell they’re new clarinets with anti-tarnish strips. Maybe you can email them about your clarinet, perhaps they’re willing to send you some strips by mail.
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