 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: knotty
Date: 2009-11-11 00:25
For me, the hardest thing about refurbing clarinets is aligning new pads. I do the paper test, heat the pad cup and move the pad a bit in the right direction. However, I have to do this sometimes 4-5 times before it's right.
Was wondering if those leak lights make it easier to see where the pad leak is? the paper testing is a bit tedious having to test all around each 17 pads.
Or, perhaps I just need to gain experience in doing the paper test.
Thanks...knotty
~ Musical Progress: None ~
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-11-11 01:06
I'm not sure how a leak light will make the process much easier. You still have to see the leak, adjust the pad, check again with the light and re-adjust the pad as necessary until the pad seats all the way around. Testing with a feeler (or paper) doesn't take much time if you're used to doing it.
FWIW, I've never seen a woodwind tech use a leak light, even though they use lights for flutes and saxes. Doesn't mean no one does it, but it seems less common than for larger-bored instruments.
Karl
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Author: jbutler ★2017
Date: 2009-11-11 01:57
I always use a test feeler (.0005). I use this on flutes as well. I do use a leak light on flutes to get close but my final check is always with a feeler gage. The only time I use a leak light on clarinet is with cork pads. This allows me to get "closer" faster and then the final adjustment is with the feeler gage. The only instrument I use a leak light for all adjustments is the saxophone. Oboe and bassoon are done the same as clarinet.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-11-11 07:19
I use a leak light mainly for saxes as the light doesn't shine through leather pads as it can do with skin pads on flutes and clarinets, though I also use a leak light on bass clarinets with leather pads fitted. With cork pads I use a feeler gauge and grind down or float the pad to seat.
With the large circumference of sax pads/toneholes, a leak light will show up light spots and leaks instantly compared to testing them with a feeler gauge all the way round.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2009-11-11 15:42
I use the leak light mainly on saxophones, but, even on a clarinet, I do find a leak light useful, though I agree it's not necessary. (I bought mine in a hardware store, for less than I'd pay at a specialty store.) The leak light does shine through clarinet bladder pads, even when they're properly adjusted, but on a well-seated pad, the light that shines through is a soft glow. Where a pad doesn't seal well, the light is a much brighter sliver or point of light. It's easy to learn to recognize the difference. I run the light up and down the bore as a quickie way of spotting the worst problem areas on a used clarinet, when I'm deciding whether I should take all the keys off and do a complete re-pad or whether I only need to make spot adjustments or replace a few pads.
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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Author: knotty
Date: 2009-11-11 16:28
Again, thanks a lot guys for great input, I'm putting it all in my notes.
Lelia:
Yes, that's exactly what I thought I'd use the lights for. Instead of checking each pad with the paper, some of which might not need adjustment, the light will quickly locate the worst pads and I can fix those.
I did notice the soft glow coming through. I used a high intensity Fenix led flashlight (my bicycle headlight) with a diffuser so I was able to experiment a little. It did show a misaligned pad immediately where the soft pad glow turned into a different quality of light.
Besides, I'm a hopeless gadget freak so I must add the light to my collection. Seriously, it's a learning experience and the cost is not too great.
Thanks..knotty
~ Musical Progress: None ~
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-11-11 19:48
Yes, they are useful along with "feelers", partic on saxes and large cl pads, to show seating diffs. between normal pad closure pressure and "hard". On sop. cls, believing that most pads will seat well, during the cement [Micro] drying period, then installed right away on the cl. Then I play the cl, so as to "chase-down" leaks from open [G perhaps Bb ro low E. Finding poor or no playing, I often use pieces of masking tape to seal the suspected pad's holes. When all is well, I carefully "run the break" many times to assess the middle B's closure ease, since [for me] that is the marginal note. Sorry to be so wordy, "Its My Way" as F S sang . Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-11-11 20:22
Similar to what Don does to isolate leaks, but instead of tape I use Blu-Tack to block any open toneholes when isolating a leak.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-11-11 23:50
Not well at all with bladder ("skin") pads, but leak lights work great with leather and cork pads. This is one of the many reasons I use leather pads on every size of clarinet and saxophone I work on (when given the option), and even on flutes and oboes.
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Author: huff n' puff
Date: 2009-11-12 13:47
Do they work?...... they sure do for me ....... wouldn't change. The soft glow helps initially to position the light- for me, just a torch bulb on the end of a small cable. Moving the cable allows the light to be concentrated on the quarter of the pad that really needs it........ the light also allows you to check instantly the results you are getting with differing finger pressures. I also find that it works very well with the smaller tone holes.... H. n' P.
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Author: RAB
Date: 2009-11-13 12:14
I use the leak light to examine the inside of the tone holes, chimneys and undercutting. That way I can see if there are any chips on the edge of the tone hole seat, I can see if there is "gunk" caked on the inside of the tone holes and clean them. I can look down and see the undercutting and see if they are damaged or have gunk caked on them.
Sometimes a pad will seat correctly and have the right "feel" with a feelers gauge but with an examination with the light you can spot little cracks or tear on the flat side of the pad that is directly over the tone hole. Of course if you dissemble the instrument you could find these small tears also.
Again, my personal opinion is that the leak light can be helpful if used correctly. There is no substitute for a feelers gauge if used correctly.
RAB
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Author: knotty
Date: 2009-11-13 20:18
Thank you for the additional tips, I ordered a set of leak lights so will soon find out. I also have some ideas for making a homemade light so if the chain of lights don't work to well, I can try making one. I'm a ham radio op so have all kinds of electronic stuff laying around.
knotty
~ Musical Progress: None ~
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Author: huff n' puff
Date: 2009-11-14 09:27
No, knotty No.......... all you need is a small torch bulb soldered to the end of a piece of thin cable and plugged into a cheap power adaptor or a battery...... works a treat. H n' P.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-11-14 10:19
My sax leak light is made from a 12v transformer with the starter and 12" fluorescent tube taken from an engine bay inspection lamp.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-11-14 14:25
I made my L L from an old Chr. tree light string, the parallal type not the serial type [electrically], using a 4 W night lite , candleabra base, it's great for saxes and larger clarinet. If you can locate a smaller [tube shaped] light, it would work well for sop cls. I had a long plastic-covered "light string, which I found to be troublesome, difficult to use and providing too much light. Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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