 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sally
Date: 2010-07-01 21:27
I have a lovely (and expensive!) crystal Pomerico mouthpiece which I normally play on a vintage Buffet Bb - however this clarinet got damaged during a show and while it was repaired I had to use my mouthpiece on a different clarinet with a tighter barrel.
I can only imagine that this is what has caused the problem - since I got my Buffet back the mouthpiece is so loose on it that it falls right out!
I've left it for a good 24 hours and the cork doesn't seem to have re-expanded...is there anything I can do?!?!?!
I'd be s grateful if you could help - I need my clarinet back!!
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-07-01 22:04
A cork will re-expand slightly if it is wetted and then heated. Relpair techs do this with a gas torch, but I wouldn't try it on a Pomarico crystal.
As a temporary fix, you can wrap the cork with a couple of turns of a 1/2" strip of newsprint. A more durable fix is white teflon tape used in plumbing joints, or some dental floss. In the long run, though, you'll need a new cork.
Check several other barrels, since your Buffet socket may be bigger than normal. If so, you can fill it in with teflon tape or stick shellac.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-07-01 22:28
Best thing to do is get it recorked. While PTFE tape will help, it's too slippery and won't grip the socket walls like cork does. I found this out to my own horror when I shook out my mouthpiece (which had PTFE tape wound around the cork) while attached to the barrel and the mouthpiece flew out and smashed on the floor. It was a Vandoren B46 which I managed to glue back together and is still playable - you do NOT want this to happen to your crystal mouthpiece!
For a temoprary cure to wobbly mouthpieces (usually when playing my plastic Yamaha as that has a larger socket than my Selmers) I usually wrap a strip of paper around the mouthpiece tenon - but in the long run, have the mouthpiece tenon recorked.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2010-07-01 22:33
I use the paper trick when I have to play with my shorter barrel. Half the time I'm using the stock R13 barrel, the other half the time, an old Click barrel which is shorter and has a bigger socket. I wish recorking the 'piece would help but I don't have the $$ for a custom shorter barrel right now...
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Author: Chris J
Date: 2010-07-02 00:10
Safe way of trying to re-expand the cork would be to try a hairdryer to heat the cork. I don't think that heat would challenge the mouthpiece.
I would assume, but do not take my word for it, that it would be ok to 100 deg. If so, then holding and rotating in a stream of steam from a boiling kettle may do the trick too. Don't do it with a HR mouthpiece, though, as the steam could change the colour of the mouthpiece.
Chris
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Author: GLHopkins
Date: 2010-07-02 01:10
I agree with Chris J. Use a hair dryer on HIGH, or the steam. The worst that can happen is the glue will turn loose, but I'd bet you'd be ok.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-07-02 17:12
Just have it recorked. Better to spend a few Pounds and make it right, than to risk destroying a mouthpiece if it falls to the floor.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2010-07-02 17:13)
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