The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Lelia
Date: 2000-01-31 13:13
I think you should take the clarinet to a technician who can look things over and tell you if you need an overhaul. It sounds as if you do need some work, since you're detecting leaks already. They're not going to "play in" and get any better on their own. Maybe you don't need a full overhaul, but only a tech who can examine the clarinet can tell you.
Sometimes discoloration of the pads doesn't mean much, but if they're really dark, they're probably shot. If the pads have turned golden brown, they've probably got "the curse of the Mummy's tomb" -- some kind of dry rot, I guess (common on "garage clarinets"). The pads might seal all right for a few hours of playing time, but then they'll start to pack down, peel and disintegrate quickly (like the poor old Mummy dug up and exposed to daylight!). If the pads are black, maybe they're mildewed or rotted. Even pads that look all right on the outside can sometimes turn out to be no good after a few hours of playing, because pad bugs (mites?) have chewed up the felt stuffing inside.
Even if the case looks okay, it might be a good idea to go over it with a vacuum cleaner, to clear out any critters and their eggs. I usually wash out an old case even if it doesn't look like it needs it, then leave the case open to sunlight for a couple of hours. Don't put bug poison in there, though, or it could make you sick.
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Vince |
2000-01-31 05:01 |
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Lelia |
2000-01-31 13:13 |
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J.Butler |
2000-01-31 13:28 |
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Don Berger |
2000-01-31 15:31 |
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Tobin |
2000-01-31 17:03 |
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The Clarinet Pages
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