 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DeepRed
Date: 2008-02-10 14:42
Hey there, I'm new to this forum and would appeciate some help! This might sound a bit strange but here goes...
I stopped playing the clarinet about 10 years ago but recently got the urge to take it up again, even though by now I've forgotten everything and will be back to total beginner level
Been shopping about for a new clarinet but there's one small snag- it's GOT to be green... (For many reasons, not just asthetic!)
I know there are green clarinets out there, but let's face it- they're plastic and hideous (albeit in a funky kind of way!)
What I was hoping to do it get a light rosewood instrument, strip it down and stain it a subtle dark green. Doe this sound feasible? I'm wondering would it be possible to do all the sanding/staining without removing the keys, even though it would be time consuming and fiddly...or if the keys need removed- can I do this myself or is it something for experts only? How do you actually remove the keys? I know I could just paint the clarinet but I'd much rather stain it. And also, I'l love to do this myself, not pay someone to do it!
Okay all this may sound totoally idiotic...but still, if anyone out there can help me it would be a big help!)
saraharundell@hotmail.com
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2008-02-10 15:23
That would be very difficult to do without removing the keys. If you have little to no experience at removing and replacing keys, you should find someone who has done it before and have them help you. It's not rocket science, but there are many ways to go wrong if you are a novice.
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Author: D
Date: 2008-02-10 15:29
We like weird...
Things you need to consider are the relative colourfastness (in water and light) and toxicity of any dyestuffs that you intend to use.
I would suggest that you look at the type of stains that are used on outdoor garden furniture - light fast, but potentially not too good to have near your mouth. A google search for 'non toxic green wood stain' does yield potentially useful results. If it doesn't kill fish then it probably wont kill you....
Talk to a cabinet maker about staining wood, this may be the best route to get a small quantity of suitable dye and possibly a wax or oil to go on top without darkening. You'll need to pigment and then oil the wood. Unless you can get some kind of pigmented wax or oil stain.
If you are like me and have very acidic sweat you will probably quickly get either lightening or darkening where you contact with the clarinet. The black or brown stains normally cover this quite well but wont work as camouflage here.
Talk to companies like Hanson and Howarths. UK based firms which make wooden clarinets. You might be able to purchase a particularly pale one before a stain has been applied, thus eliminating on step. They might even, for a fee, agree to stain one for you and then put all the key work on. You might have to supply the stain, and I suspect it might be expensive - but you would certainly get a working clarinet out of it that will last you a long long time.
If you are planning on playing it out doors then you probably won't have much trouble in Ireland (assuming your ISP is accurate) with the clarinet being wood and not plastic - not exactly extreme weather conditions in this part of the world. But the sun will bleach the colour out quicker than if you keep it and play it in lower light levels.
Equally important, you need a suitably complimentary coloured case and case lining. I have had great success making cases from power tool boxes, upholstery foam and stretchy velvet. A nice warm raccoon grey might set off the green nicely.
Let us know what you end up with. And well done on a good and original question!
Oh, and if you end up doing the work yourself, keep that sander out of the tone holes!
Post Edited (2008-02-10 15:30)
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Author: DeepRed
Date: 2008-02-10 16:13
Cheers for you replies!
Weirdness IS good! If you want proof- see my homepage!
I thought I'd found some affordable rosewoods but they turned out to be venus and Cibaili- from what I've seen written on them on previous threads- are they really THAT bad? I thought since they're so cheap they would do as an okay starter for me...I don't want to spend a huge amount just yet, but quality makes such as Hanson start at about the £700 mark- ulp! For a starting instrument I could maybe max out at £200-MAYBE push to £250. Isuppose as a last resort a good ol' Yamaha would have to do, and my dream of a beautiful green clarinet will be put on the 'someday' pile...*sigh*
I would love to do the sanding and staining myself- doing it with the keys on probably IS possible but difficult, but getting a uniform finish on the stain might be the really tough bit...
And I'm sure pretty sure Homebase now do pet/child safe stains as well.
The problem with living in N. Ireland may be actually *finding* someone who could help with keys ect....is removing keys very tough? I looked all over the net but couldn't find any info on it. Do they unscrew or pop out?
saraharundell@hotmail.com
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-02-10 16:21
There were some (small) samples of grained ebonite in the factory which looked similar to cocobolo (black ebonite mixed with orange and red), and also a green and black grained one which I think would look nice as well as unusual (though not in a bad way) if an entire instrument was made from it.
Kingwood fades to a fairly light brown colour, so there's no reason why this can't be stained with the kind of alcohol-based wood pigment used for contemporary furniture that won't hide the grain pattern - and in any shade of green as well.
Has to be said, I've been thinking of staining my kingwood oboe a different/unusual colour for some time (but not black), but never had the courage to go through with it. I thought maybe a nice deep crimson as seen on bassoons, though bottle green or British racing green is possible.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2008-02-10 16:25)
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Author: DeepRed
Date: 2008-02-10 16:49
Found this baby on a uk site- doesn't say what make it is but you can see the maufacturer logo on the bell- look familiar to anyone?
http://www.instruments4music.co.uk/flutes_bassoon_clarinet_and_oboe/clarinet_in_bb_-_rosewood/21909_p.html
Or this one:
http://1stopclarinet.stores.yahoo.net/gisr1rostbbc.html
Any comments?
saraharundell@hotmail.com
Post Edited (2008-02-10 16:53)
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2008-02-10 16:57
there are dyes available in a spectrum of colors --including green. They are water or alcohol soluble, and more or less light-fast. In general, hey are finished with varnish --covering the wood with a film.
Why not try out your dying on a bit of timber with an oil finish and mistreat the test piece for a while to see if it might survive the rigors of playing.
http://www.woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=846-444&search=Dye
http://www.woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=845-541&search=Dye
http://www.woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=843-924&search=Dye
Bob Phillips
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Author: CrystalClear7
Date: 2008-02-10 17:25
I hear the already colored clarinets aren't too bad these days. I have never played one but i've been told they have come a long way. And I know they come in green.
-Crystal
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2008-02-10 17:39
Sarah -
I think your best choice is the Vito Dazzler, model 7312, which comes in a really bright green. It's identical to their standard black plastic student clarinet and retails for just under $700, or about £360, which is the least you will pay for a decent instrument. Furthermore, it's practically indestructible.
Of course you could get green contacts or if you were the Queen you could pass a law like in Oz that everyone has to wear green glasses.
No matter how long you've laid off clarinet playing, it comes back fast. A couple of months of playing will bring you up to where you used to be.
Welcome back to the clarinet community.
Ken Shaw
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Author: DeepRed
Date: 2008-02-10 20:35
Ohh nice!
I found one for $199 (about £100) here:
http://www.musicremasters.com/clarinuts/pages/C230.asp
Mmm, it *may* become mine! At least now I know there's a QUALITY maker of green clarinets out there! Thanks Ken! And a more subtle green to boot
Who knows, maybe a year or two down the line when the rustiness is shaken off and I've had time to save, Hanson may get a request for a lovely custom dark forest/racing-green rosewood....*drool* Or I may have the expertise then to do it all by myself!
Who knows, maybe it'll be the only green wooden clari in the whole world! Ooh!
*dreams*
saraharundell@hotmail.com
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Author: DeepRed
Date: 2008-02-10 21:46
Wow, that stripy one is the maddest ever!
Funnily enough, I never heard of the mitchell and webb sketch until I started hunting about...I wonder what make it is....?
The LeBlanc Dazzler seems to have some good reviews as well- I think that one in the link will be ordered tomorrow...*rubs hands*
saraharundell@hotmail.com
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2008-02-11 05:56
I'm just curious, what is a non aesthetic reason to have a green clarinet?
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Author: DeepRed
Date: 2008-02-11 08:22
Had been playing with the idea of getting a new clarinet for a while...then had the most vivid dream that I finally DID decide to get one and it was a beautiful green! Always pay close attention to your to your dreams, they're very important...
Also most of my clothes (and synthetic dreadlocks!) are black and green too! I dress quite unusually so an unusual clarinet seems like a good idea
There are other reasons too for wanting a green clari that I won't go into here, but don't worry, it's not for a St Patrick's day parade!
saraharundell@hotmail.com
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Author: DeepRed
Date: 2008-02-11 20:06
I DID IT! I bought the green Calrinuts remaster! *excited*
saraharundell@hotmail.com
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2008-02-11 21:08
Looks like you're a candidate to watch the Youtube video.....the Green Clarinet... You'll like it!
Freelance woodwind performer
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