 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-10-07 12:42
I've recently (one year) switched to Van Doren Optimum ligatures for all of my clarinets and was surprised to find that the ligature on my bass clarinet had discolored badly, sort of purple-ish as though the metal was corroded/ oxidized. This was not on the metral plate but on the portion that wraps around ther mouthpiece. The ones on the Bb, Eb and basset horn all look fine so I'm wondering. Van Doren does suggest keeping the metal pad portions in their bag although I didn't recall if they said to store the ligature there as well.
In all cases I've kept the ligature on the mouthpiece but had removed the reed to a reed case. My home is air conditioned so I wouldn't think there would be tons of humidity either.
Anyway anyone with similar problems?
Eefer guy
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2006-10-07 15:04
Unless I am mistaken the Optimum ligatures are silver plated and I have to keep mine polished with silver polish to keep it shiny. I do store it in a plastic bag with tarnish inhibitor when not in use - I rarely use it now.
L. Omar Henderson
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-10-07 15:14
Silver is a problematic material. If you are constantly using it, pens, jewelry, it will maintain a healthy shine. Once you put it down for a while the very oils that keep it lubricated will turn it brown.
Just wipe off after EVERY use with a soft cloth (preferably 100% cotton) and the petina will remain spit spot.
..........Paul Aviles
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Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2006-10-08 03:22
The information sheet that comes with the ligature suggests to always replace the ligature in the special bag that's supplied. I've always placed mine back in that bag when disassembling the clarinet, and after several years the ligature still looks great. Obviously the bag inhibits tarnish on the silver.
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Author: ClariTone
Date: 2006-10-08 03:39
If the bags inhibit tarnish, then why don't people store their clarinets/barrels/bells in these bags to prevent tarnish??? Just curious...
Clayton
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Author: abc123
Date: 2006-10-08 08:31
I think I have a friend with a gold plated one? Is it the same ligature I'm thinking about? Can you get gold plated ones?
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2006-10-08 11:52
(Disclaimer - I sell tarnish inhibiting sachets for instrument cases)
Any polished silver will remain shiny longer if you limit exposure to air - especially our polluted urban air. Putting the Optimum ligature in the little plastic bag after use limits the exposure to moving air, all of which contains some small amounts of sulphur compounds which initiate the tarnish process. The plastic bag itself does not have any anti-tarnish compounds that I have been able to detect.
A silver plated clarinet ideally should be wiped off, preferably with a non- scratching material such as silk or microfiber after use and then stored in the case. The case is not airtight but limits exposure to large amounts of circulating air. An anti-tarnish inhibitor, which removes airborne sulphur compounds or contains sacrificial real dispersed silver, will slow tarnish formation in a closed case. Examples of sacrificial silver are the "Boundary Cloth" bags sold for storing silver items and sulphur removing compounds such as activated carbon in the 3-M anti-tarnish strips or more esoteric sulphur removing formulations found in other products including mine.
L. Omar Henderson
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2006-10-09 15:36
"If the bags inhibit tarnish, then why don't people store their clarinets/barrels/bells in these bags to prevent tarnish??? Just curious...
Clayton"
Because of the damage that would occur to the clarinet itself. Think of what might happen to the wood, cork and adhesives if the clarinet were stored in an airtight plastic bag.
And just to prevent tarnish? Forget about it.
Besides, unless you're marching in a spit-and-polish street band, who cares if the keywork gets tarnished. It's a sign that you've been making music.
And THAT'S my cup of tea.
b.
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Author: Ray
Date: 2006-10-09 15:57
You have four ligatures. Three are fine and one is tarnished.
It is well known that some hard rubber mouthpieces exude sulphur compounds that will cause silver to tarnish.
My guess is that your bass clarinet mouthpiece creates more than its fair share of these sulphur compounds and is the cause of tarnish.
Its easy to experiment by carrying the bass mouthpiece separately from the instrument case.
Or, if your bass clarinet itself is made of hard rubber, try carrying the ligature outside the case.
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Author: musicbex
Date: 2006-10-09 20:18
Yep, I've also heard that the problem is not with the ligature but with the hard rubber mouthpieces that react in some way with the silver.
Sorry can'y give you the scientific reason why, it's just something i've heard!
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-10-09 20:38
If your clarinet has a rubber thumb rest protector and your case contains any other rubber products (pencils with erasers, etc..) tarnishing of silver will most likely be accelerated...GBK
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-10-11 10:45
Thanks so much for all of your comments.
My bass is a Selmer to low C so the body is grenadilla not plastic but of course even the mouthpieces are hard rubber and they are a good bit bigger than the other mouthpieces too. AND I also store two other bass mouthpieces in that case so they all might be the culprit in the ligature discoloration. Anyway, I've removed all the other ligatures to their protective bags once through playing. Hopefully none of them will repeat this tarnishing as I really do like these Optimum ligatures in all other respects.
Again thank yuou for allof your most interesting comments.
EEfer guy
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