The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Newer Topic | Older Topic

felt octave key pad

Author: stevesklar
Date: 2006-11-24 13:30

Does anyone know why someone would use a felt disc instead of any other type of normal pad for the octave key?

I have a very early L series Selmer clarinet 874x and the last owner had a felt octave pad. All other pads were normal skin pads.

I unfortunately did not try playing it because a couple trill keys pads were in bad shape and I took it apart. But I would assume the player had problems playing as the felt is basically a leak and absorbs air.

Any comments or history of felt being used ?

Reply To Message

Re: felt octave key pad

Author: Mike Clarinet
Date: 2006-11-24 13:44

Could it be a skin pad (which I understand normally have felt backing) that has lost its skin? I would think that a felt pad is bad because it leaks air as you say, but will also shed lint into the tube (is this cometimes called the chimney?)

Reply To Message

Re: felt octave key pad

Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-11-24 13:47

I second the "broken skin pad" theory. Or maybe it was a felt that had another material (such as leather, but I've seen cardboard-like materials as well) glued on, and that it has disintegrated.

--
Ben

Reply To Message

Re: felt octave key pad

Author: stevesklar
Date: 2006-11-24 14:12

I thought the same thing. But removing it it simply was a felt disc. No remnants of skin on it. no backing - nothing that would indicate that a backing or a skin was attached - just a felt disc

==========
Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information

Reply To Message

Re: felt octave key pad

Author: Vytas
Date: 2006-11-24 14:28

The felt pads were used on the wrap around register keys in the early 1900s. Leather pads would get sticky on this key and skin pads had not been invented yet.

Vytas Krass
Clarinet Repair
Professional clarinet technician
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Former professional clarinet player

Reply To Message

Re: felt octave key pad

Author: stevesklar
Date: 2006-11-25 04:18

Thanks Vytas. At least we know there's a history of them. This is on a M series Selmer .. a little later than the early 1900s wraparound octave key.

Reply To Message

Re: felt octave key pad

Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2006-11-25 04:56

I suppose felt is a little better than no pad at all.

I suspect it was an emergency repair by a player who did not think of or could not find anything better, such as felt held on by a plaster, or electrical tape.

Reply To Message

Avail. Forums | Threaded View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

The Clarinet Pages

For Sale
Put your ads for items you'd like to sell here. Free! Please, no more than two at a time - ads removed after two weeks.