 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Fishamble
Date: 2009-02-11 16:32
Hi,
I recently got a new Buffet bass, and with it came an "Important Notice" from Buffet informing that some third-party mouthpieces appear to cause blackening of silver keys. With it came a neat plastic mouthpiece case to help prevent the problem.
I thought nothing more of it until last night when it occurred to me to look at my Bb, which has been topped with a mouthpiece from Walter Grabner for the last 9 months. And whatdayaknow: there is significant blackening on the keys, and it seems to be concentrated on the keys closest to the mouthpiece when it's stored in the clarinet case. Wasn't like that before, I'll swear.
Anyone know of this? Can you get mouthpiece cases for Bbs? Or any other advice on reducing the blackening effect?
Thanks,
David.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-02-11 17:45
It's the sulphur in the ebonite that causes the silver to tarnish, some mouthpieces do this more than others - even ones from the same make or blank.
You can always put your mouthpiece in a pouch or a self sealing bag to stop the sulphur tarnishing your keywork.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Fishamble
Date: 2009-02-11 21:39
Thanks Chris. I'm surprised I've never heard mention of it before. Any recommendations for removing the blackening?
Just rereading my post above, I should say that I'm very pleased with the mouthpiece, and not put out by the blackening really. Just thought I'd dig in to it a bit.
David.
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Author: timg
Date: 2009-02-11 23:08
The same tarnishing occurred on my E13 when I kept it with a new Vandoren mouthpiece. An ordinary silver-cloth removed most of the tarnish, though it's not possible to do a thorough job without dismantling the keys.
After a few months I found I was able to keep the mouthpiece in the clarinet case without any more tarnishing. Though even now, if I rub the mouthpiece against a rag it's possible to detect a sulphurous smell.
Silver-cloths are easily obtainable from jewelers or music shops.
-Tim
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2009-02-11 23:54
For prevention, consider one of the sulphur-absorbing products:
1. 3M's Anti Tarnish Strips.
http://www.silverguard.com/c-9-3m-anti-tarnish-strips.aspx
(Or many other places in the internet)
2. Doctor's Products' equivalent, reputed to be better:
http://www.doctorsprod.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=34
3. Make a bag for the mouthpiece out of a fabric that contains silver in the fabric:
http://www.silverguard.com/c-6-pacific-silvercloth.aspx
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Author: D
Date: 2009-02-14 13:43
A piece of charcoal cloth might do the trick as well to wrap around the mouthpiece.
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