 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: knotty
Date: 2009-12-11 19:45
What is the best way to measure cups for ordering pads?
I've been ordering pad sets by the make of the clarinet, Bundy, Evette, etc. and generally, they fit OK, but sometimes are bit too tight or too loose.
So, I thought I'd order them by exact size by measuring, 17mm, 16.5 mm etc.
Thanks..knotty
~ Musical Progress: None ~
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2009-12-11 19:54
Why order them?
The only pads I ever order are for the lower pads.
Get some nice cork sheets and make your own pads.
It's great fun and a lot easier than some people on this board would have you believe!!
Steve
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2009-12-11 22:29
Measure the inside diameter of the cup (preferably with a vernier guage).
For skin type pads the actual quoted size of a pad is the overall maximum diameter so you need to typically add between 0.5 and 1.0mm to the measured size when ordering. The exact style and depth of individual cups varies between makes of clarinet so in the end you have to try them and choose the best fit.
For leather and cork pads the size you measure is the size you order since these pads sit entirely within the cup.
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Author: knotty
Date: 2009-12-13 00:51
Thanks stevensfo and Norman Smale. I'll look into the cork pads, I have to figure out how to punch out a nice clean plug from the sheet.
Norman, OK, I have several inside/outside verniers. I'll order the next set of pads by giving them the exact measurements.
Thanks..knotty
~ Musical Progress: None ~
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2009-12-13 04:41
>> Get some nice cork sheets and make your own pads. <<
Some people prefer pads other than cork pads. Making bladder pads for example might take too long and the result won't be any better than really excellent ones (like the ones from Music Center in Italy).
Ordering pads without being familiar with the specific model you order can be a problem for a couple of reasons:
1. Pad makers sometimes (consistently) measure their pads differently e.g. a 9.0mm pad from one maker will consistently be slightly under, and from another maker slightly over. This can mean that for the same pad cup size you'd need a 0.5mm difference in pad size depending on the maker of your pads. This is for all pads, not just stepped pads.
2. Specifically to stepped bladder pads, different models can have different shapes which will can also mean you'd need 0.5mm difference in size depending on the model. I have two models from the same maker which have a different shape and almost always need 0.5mm difference depending on which model I use.
So maybe best to consult with whoever you are ordering from what sizes to order based on the sizes of the pad cups.
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2009-12-13 10:07
-- "Thanks stevensfo and Norman Smale. I'll look into the cork pads, I have to figure out how to punch out a nice clean plug from the sheet." --
To be honest, it was BobD on this forum who gave me this idea years ago. I bought a set of hollow hole punches and experimented. The biggest problem was actually finding decent 3mm cork sheets. Initially I got some from Musicmedic, but then found some in a store closer to home.
Of course, I often had to sand them slightly to get them perfect and this was time consuming. They work very well and I've never had any problems with them. I must say in all honesty however, that this is all assuming that the toneholes and pad heights are okay.
Steve
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Author: knotty
Date: 2009-12-13 15:40
On the cork sheets, in automotive work, they have this gasket material 1/16" made of some composition material that looks like a cork and rubber mix. It's fine grained and might make a good pad material but I haven't tried it yet. I do know it's very hard to sand compared to cork, (tried it on a tenon)
Remembering back, I used to make leather belts so have a set of punches somewhere, I'll look for them.
buedsma: thanks, I didn't see that info.
clarnibass: Yes, this is where the second phase begins, gaining hands on experience after book learning. Or, called "it's a bit harder than it first looks" ..lol
Thanks...knotty
~ Musical Progress: None ~
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