 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Meri
Date: 2000-11-29 01:26
I just discovered that on the side keys, the second and top pads are sticking even after the instrument is completely dry. The problem is, that those keys are crucial in a number of pieces that I'm playing. (there's no way I can take it in to be checked before December 19, due to my schedule of concerts and rehearsals) Note also my pads are cork ones.
Any ideas on how to at least temporarily alleviate this problem before I can take it in?
Meri
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Author: J. Butler
Date: 2000-11-29 02:07
I understand that "shusido" paper (I believe that is spelled correctly) works wonders for sticking pads. You can find it at finer cosmetic stores. Place it under the pad and pull it out. I usually just take the key off and use a mixture of 50/50 water and alcohol and lightly clean the pad or just replace it. Of course if you are in a performance situation and that occurs well, that is no a viable alternative. Now, I'm assuming that the pad is sticking and there are not any other problems such as bent keys or rusted steels (rods). Good Luck.
John
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Author: J. Butler
Date: 2000-11-29 02:27
Meri,
Just an afterthought. I've not actually used the shusido paper myself but was told by a Yamaha Corp flute technician about them. If you do try it, please let me know the results. I'll send my wife to pick some up for me if they work well.
John
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Author: ron b
Date: 2000-11-29 02:38
Meri;
I like the, 'that's what friends are for' one :]
It's better for someone to actually examine the instrument first hand, of course.
You might check for broken or weak springs.
Binding steels (as John mentions) - have you oiled them recently?
ron b
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-11-29 02:58
Meri - One of my minor-overhaul procedures is to clean all pads and tone hole surfaces, using an old handkerchief or pillow case [linen] , placing the cloth under the pad, possibly adding a bit of pressure and pulling the cloth gently. I believe this is the same general method that John B has described above. Sometimes this shows-up [may even cause] pad skin breakage, not otherwise evident. In worse-cases which I've found on beginner's horns [peanut butter and jelly!!] I dampen the cloth to wash the pads gently. Luck, Don
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Author: Meri
Date: 2000-11-29 03:17
ron b--my keys have been oiled recently, last time was last week! And on average I have to do it once every three weeks or so, given how much I play my instrument.
My instrument is a late 1960's R-13. (I thought a lot of you knew that!--sorry)
There are no broken springs, but how can I tell if they are weak?
The pads on the upper joint are cork.
There is no way I would want to remove the keys myself, not on my R-13.
Meri
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2000-11-29 08:43
Do you squeeze these keys when you assemble the instrument? If so then cork pads could become so indented that the centre lump on the pad jams INSIDE the tone hole. This happens on register keys sometimes. But I camn't really imagine it on a larger tone hole.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-11-29 18:06
Right, Meri, forgot the corks! I have corks on my UJ of the L7 LeB, and they sometimes are stuck after drying out, as are my leathers etc on my bass cl. I just break them loose in my warm-up and have no more trouble for that session, may have to replace sooner than usual tho! With corks, you can wash them without fear of damage IMHO. Luck, Don
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Author: Todd H.
Date: 2000-11-30 00:17
While you are waiting for your appointment with your repair pro, you could try a little dusting of the sticking pads with talcum powder or the like after you attempt cleaning as described above. I have used strips of coffeemaker filters to help knock the crusties off of pads like D.B. suggests with a handkerchief. Good luck.
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Author: Meri
Date: 2000-12-01 01:30
Thanks, everyone.
I did the talcum powder idea, with small squares of paper over all four side keys, left it overnight (didn't remove them until I was setting up for my college band's concert today), the pads didn't stick.
It appears though that those two pads may need to be replaced though.
Meri
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Author: Jenn
Date: 2000-12-01 21:27
You can fix this for only $1...use a dollar bill! Seriously, it works really well. My key was sticking one day and my director simply took a bill out of his pocket, shut the key over it, and pulled it out a few times. Apparently, the raised ink on all legitimate american bills takes the moisture and "stickiness" off. I thought it was really cool. 
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