The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: knotty
Date: 2009-09-18 19:07
Wondering if a wax finish or maybe furniture polish is a good idea for the exterior of wood clarinets? I do oil the bore.
Thanks...knotty
~ Musical Progress: None ~
Post Edited (2009-09-18 19:08)
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Author: knotty
Date: 2009-09-18 20:01
OK, I'll leave the exterior alone. Nice site you have Ed, I have much to learn there.
Thanks..
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2009-09-18 21:07
(Disclaimer- I sell a microcrystalline wax for woodwind instruments)
IMHO it is a good idea to oil both the inside and outside of your instrument once you have cleaned the wood (outside) to remove the gunky oil - dirt clogging the pores of the wood (a good wood cleaner is necessary). Given the right kind of wax - e.g one that forms sheets or plates that are porous to water vapor rather than a complete coating - will protect the wood from subsequent dust and pollutants in the air mixing with oils in the wood which tend to clog the pores and obstruct transpiration of moisture in and out of the wood. Cleaning and waxing will bring out the natural depth of color and grain in wood and prevent fingerprint marks.
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-09-19 03:31
NOW you tell me, Ed! Jiminy Christmas, I've been using Butcher's Bowling Alley Wax on the outside of clarinets for 15+ years with nothing but good results, and now I find out I was all wrong...........
Guess I'll have to issue a global recall and buy back all the clarinets I've sold or renovated -- this could cost me a small fortune...............
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-09-19 12:24
David, Bowling Alley Wax is probably fine if you intend to use your clarinet to STRIKE it at something. Oh please SPARE me the pain. ESP
PS. I have several clarinet, Buffets and Selmers from 45 years old to 3 years old. I've never waxed or even oiled the outside of a clarinet. Perhaps when they were overhauled the tech did it but I just keep them clean with a dry cloth. I don't think oiling them on the outside will hurt but I've never felt the need to do it and none of my techs have ever suggest it either. Just a thought.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
Post Edited (2009-09-19 15:06)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-09-19 16:37
Thanks, Ed, I do in fact consider my instruments to be WMD (Weapons of Musical Destruction) whose intended purpose is to STRIKE fear (and loathing) into the hearts and ears of my hapless victims. But I guess I should get my mind out of the GUTTER and back to clarinets...........
All seriousness aside, I do apply a light coating of a decent bore oil (of which Dr. Omar probably makes the best) to the outside of clarinets I work on, and let the oil soak in thoroughly, before lightly polishing the wood with a soft terry cloth and only then applying a light coating of Butcher's Wax. After that it's necessary to clean out all the toneholes with cotton swabs to get any little bits of wax out of them.
Post Edited (2009-09-19 16:39)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2009-09-19 17:16
Using bowling alley wax?
I'd APPROACH that idea with caution, because you could get a SPLIT in the wood.
Then, I'd be forced to use my SPARE clarinet, which is really not a very good instrument. In fact, it's a TURKEY.
I should probably eventually get rid of it by wrapping it with CLOTHESLINE, bringing it to BROOKLYN and leaving it in a remote back ALLEY.
...GBK
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-09-19 20:29
That all may be true, Glenn, but if you keep it up, I'm going to have to keep screaming FOUL until the BEER FRAME. All these puns are BOWLING me over to the point where I may have to go out on STRIKE. Please SPARE me from doing that, or I'll have to SPLIT, forcing me to call my wife and ask for a PICKUP. As it is, I'm APPROACHing despair. Have I FRAMED the arguments sufficiently?
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2009-09-19 22:41)
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2009-09-20 02:27
please, oh please don't tell me I have to send my 926 back for warranty work - and it is playing so nicely too! can I send my soloist instead?
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