Author: jasperbay
Date: 2010-06-05 05:04
While all the problems listed by previous posters can occur,I leave several wood Bb and Eb alto clarinets assembled for spur of the moment play, and have experienced no problems in several years. If I plan on leaving a wood clarinet assembled for long periods, I use the soft tacky wax (from wax rings sold in hardware stores to seal the toilet/floor connection) for cork grease, to seal water out of the joints, and wood end grain. Good practice is to run a pull-thru swab through the horn if you play more than a few minutes.
I think you also have to be willing to replace cork should it become compressed from leaving assembled. High quality cork, and a non-absorbing cork lube minimize, but may not entirely eliminate the problem.
I , too, started out with a B-12 several years ago, but enjoy the more mellow sound of a 'woody'. Leaving the instruments assembled, as you suggest, does allows me to practice more than I would otherwise, so the possable 'downside' risk is acceptable to me. I don't think I'd treat a $3000 clarinet this way, but you might consider something like a B&H Edgware, 2-20,or a Conn 424, both having a slightly larger bore than your B-12, for a different , but wonderful sound. They're often on 'the online auction site' very reasonable, especially if you're willing to repad it yourself.
Clark G. Sherwood
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The Clarinet BBoard
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