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 Synthetic cork...
Author: clarnibass 
Date:   2007-11-18 12:09

grease.

Synthetic cork grease.

I've been using Omar's (the Doctor) natural cork grease for a long time now. I also tried the Dcotor synthetic cork grease and liked it less. it is pushed out when assembling the joints, and I didn't have to use it less than the natural grease (which is very little anyway).

I now see there are at least several other synthetic cork greases. The Doctor, Alysin, Ultimax, and the one from Kraus. I'm wondering if anyone has tried them and can compared them?

Maybe Omar know more about their differences?

Thanks!

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 Re: Synthetic cork...
Author: pelo_ensortijado 
Date:   2007-11-18 13:00

and while the subject is up.
what about other materials instead of cork?
the bassoons are using some kind of waxed sewingthreads!
what are the benefits of cork? i dont understand?!?



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 Re: Synthetic cork...
Author: redwine 
Date:   2007-11-18 13:30

Hello,

I use only the Dr's Doctor Slick cork grease. I think it's great.

As for cork, it's a renewable source product--it literally grows on trees and the trees are not damaged by harvesting, so synthetic cork must use more fossil fuels to produce than the harvesting of natural cork (some of the scientists please correct me if I'm wrong), so I say use natural cork.

Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com



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 Re: Synthetic cork...
Author: BobD 
Date:   2007-11-18 13:41

Waxed sewing thread or waxed string does not have as much ability to be compressed as cork does. As a result the "fit" between tenon and socket must be more precise. At least that's my experience.

Bob Draznik

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 Re: Synthetic cork...
Author: sfalexi 
Date:   2007-11-18 13:52

IMO, cork is cheap, it works, and it lasts for a good amount of time. I say cork all the way!!! Upper stack and all!

Plus, it floats, so if your clarinet falls in a lake, it may help it to float on the top for you to retrieve, or at least it'll sink a little slower . . . but then again what are the chances of my clarinet falling in a lake for a SIXTH time . . . [wink]

Alexi

PS - completely joking about the lake thing. Hasn't every happened to me (knock on grenedilla)

US Army Japan Band

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 Re: Synthetic cork...
Author: DavidBlumberg 
Date:   2007-11-18 23:53

Hey, Ralph Strouf once in a concert stunt threw his Clarinet into the nearby lake after playing a solo.

http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com


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 Re: Synthetic cork...
Author: saxlite 
Date:   2007-11-19 16:07

After some of the solos I've played, I probably ought to throw my clarinet into the lake........

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 Re: Synthetic cork...
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2007-11-19 17:12

It'll return one day held aloft just like Excalibur.

As for synthetic cork grease, I still use La Tromba.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

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 Re: Synthetic cork...
Author: Ed 
Date:   2007-11-19 17:15

FWIW- I use both the Doctor's Products- Doctor Slick and Doctor Syntek cork greases and find both to be superb. I have had no problems or issues with either. I do find the synthetic one to last a bit longer and is a bit slicker in my experiences.

I tend to use the synthetic one on the mouthpiece cork a bit more regularly, as it facilitates those quick Bb/A switches.

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 Re: Synthetic cork...
Author: Gordon (NZ) 
Date:   2007-11-21 02:56

"As for cork, it's a renewable source product--it literally grows on trees and the trees are not damaged by harvesting, so synthetic cork must use more fossil fuels to produce than the harvesting of natural cork "

I'm not the scientist you seek, but I don't think that follows at all. We have to look at the TOTAL 'footprint' on the eco-system, including ALL the growing methods, the harvesting, the processing, the freighting, etc. And is it definite that the synthetic oil is actually made from fossil fuels?

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 Re: Synthetic cork...
Author: L. Omar Henderson 
Date:   2007-11-21 10:42

(Disclaimer - I sell a cork grease made from plant derived oils and bee's wax and a synthetic grease)
From what I've seen in Southern France and Spain of cork harvest it is harvested from groves of cork trees that are many years old and harvest does not destroy the trees - the cork is a renewable resource in this sense but as Gordon points out it is the total energy use that determines the eco-footprint. Cork however is IMO the superior product to synthetics for use on tenons and its remarkable qualities of compression and rebound are so far not matched by synthetics. Treated well it can last for many years.

Synthetic oils and greases use petroleum as the carbon chain source but they are rearranged in ways not seen in natural compounds and behave differently than petroleum products both in their lubricating properties but also their interaction with natural products like cork and wood. Some synthetic greases will not harm the structure of cork - some synthetics and petroleum products will harm cork and wood.
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com

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 Re: Synthetic cork...
Author: clarnibass 
Date:   2007-11-22 04:38

OK thanks everyone. Seems like no one actually tried all the synthetic cork greases I mentioned, including on other forums I asked, so I decided to order all of them, and also the key oil and grease from the same companies so I'll compare them.

By the way (and I emailed Omar Henderson about it too) has anyone outside USA ordered from the Doctor lately? All I get is a message about some "real time USPS shipping" only possible to USA customers and no way to continue to checkout.

Thanks!

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 Re: Synthetic cork...
Author: tictactux 2017
Date:   2007-11-22 07:55

> "real time USPS shipping"

I can track USPS shippings just fine, provided the seller gave me the tracking ID. (I'd prefer a webcam showing my parcel being squeezed under a piano box in the aircraft trunk, or being run over by a forklift)

This has been funnier in the past when economy shipping (ie 8ish weeks) was still available; today it's a matter of maybe a week, and the "realtime" is usually lagging half a day behind.

--
Ben

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 Re: Synthetic cork...
Author: clarnibass 
Date:   2007-11-22 11:41

Thanks Ben, but I think I wasn't cealr so I'll clarify.

When I entered my items to the shopping cart and click "Chesckout" I get the following message:

"Attention

Real Time USPS can only be used for US destinations at
this time"

It is on the Doctor website. Nothing to do with shipping or USPS since it is before the order. It just brings this page with this message and doesn't let me order or do anything other than going back. I remember the same thing happened last time so I just delayed my order and forgot about it and it was at least a few months ago.

Has anyone else outside USA amde an online order from the Doctor, successfuly or not?

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 Re: Synthetic cork...
Author: redwine 
Date:   2007-11-22 12:20

Hello,

If you don't have luck with the Doctor's website in regards to ordering, call him. I'm sure he'll accommodate you.

Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com



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 Re: Synthetic cork...
Author: Lelia Loban 2017
Date:   2007-11-24 12:29

Re. the waxed string, I've tried using it when restoring antique clarinets that originally had string-wrapped tenons, common in the 19th century and early 20th century. Maybe I did a poor job (I'm a hobbyist, not a professional repair person), but I didn't like the string and ended up replacing it with cork. When the tenon is too tight for cork, as it is on some old metal clarinets, I use bookbinder's fabric, a tight, thin linen twill with an applied backing that glue won't penetrate. It's not at all authentic equipment for clarinets, but it's much more durable than the string (or cork shave down that thin). I don't have a problem with making a repair with non-authentic material as long as it isn't permanent--a later owner can easily change back to string. I think that of those three choices, cork is by far the superior way to wrap a tenon, but I haven't tried the newer, synthetic cork materials yet.

Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.

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