 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BenRSmith
Date: 2009-11-09 03:10
I have a Yamaha Custom Clarinet, and lately looking at the bottom metal "F" hole, its beginning to get dirty. I tried cleaning it with Cotton Swabs and I used about 15, but it barely cleaned it. Do you have any suggestions as how to clean that hole?
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2009-11-09 07:25
I guess you mean the one for the left hand thumb, correct?
If it doesn't change after "cleaning" it, then it is probably just oxidation and not actual physical dirt. The plaiting is silver and silver changes to a kind of blueish-purple over time.
It doesn't do anything to the sound; I would not worry much about it.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-11-10 00:16
Just to clear things up - the thumb bush or thumb tube is an F# tonehole as that's the note that issues from it - the true F hole is under LH1 and the open G tonehole is the one hidden under the throat A key touchpiece.
I wouldn't worry about it either - they're not easy things to clean in terms of removing the tarnish from unless you take the thumb ring off and go around the outside of the thumb bush with a strip of silver polishing cloth, and use a pencil or similar with the strip of silvercloth over the end to clean the inside with. Chances are the tarnish will be stubborn on these, so is best you live with it.
Still use your cotton buds (Q-tips) to clean all the tonehole chimneys to remove any dead skin cells, grease and dirt that collect in them as the build-up of this nature is occluding the toneholes which will affect the tone and tuning - not to mention it looks horrendous.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repair Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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