 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-09-02 16:10
Dear Board,
I have been living with several clarinets that have been fully repadded with Kraus Omni pads for a month now and have come to the conclusion that they are the answer to ALL our prayers.
Wouldn't you like a pad that seals ten years down the road as it did brand new with no noticable wear?
Wouldn't you want a pad that seals like cork but doesn't go "Clickety-Click-Clack-CLACK?"
Wouldn't you like a pad that doesn't make your tone duller, or brighter than with a standard pad or one that doesn't make your trills less distinct?
I believe the Kraus Omni pads do all this AND MORE..........
They are easy to install due to their bevelled plastic backing. The firm plastic backing also keeps them perfectly flat (unlike synthetic pads with cardboard backing).
Because they are purely synthetic foam, they are impervious to the vagaries of moisture (either condensation from the bore OR excessive humidity OR rain).
They seal like a drum and yet they are firmer than "others like them" because there is a middle layer of harder foam and the above mentioned plastic backing.
The result is a pad that seals like a drum, is silent (perhaps you MAY hear them just a drab more than a felt or leather pad, lasts a ridiculously long time and is sonically neutral (really the BEST feature of all).
Once I need to overhaul any of my personal horns, I will insist on the installation of Kraus Omni pads................ The VERY BEST !!!!!!
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2010-09-02 17:13
Not to comment on the quality of the pads but ...
Paul Aviles wrote:
>
> Wouldn't you like a pad that seals ten years down the road as
> it did brand new with no noticable wear?
You've had them on ten years now?
> lasts a ridiculously long time
Essentially same question.
Did you need to add all the other puffery, too? I'm assuming you're just happy with your pads, not being compensated.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-09-02 18:49
Dear Mark,
The only compensation I want is to fulfull all the Boarders' wildest dreams....concerning pads that is.
The "other pads" to which I refer are the Valentinos (of course) which have been around for at least 20 years. I was shown a horn that was just over ten years old that was completely done in these pads by Mike Leonard. The pads looked like new besides some deeply imbedded impressisons of the tone holes, and they sealed like new.
Omni pads are essentially of the same material but fundamentally constructed in a new and much more usable way ....... as I mentioned above.
At very least we as a community of clarinetists should be aware of this product.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: Ed
Date: 2010-09-02 18:58
I have heard good things about these from others as well. I am looking forward to trying them.
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2010-09-02 20:36
Paul,
Have you used these (or other replacement) pads on your Yamaha CSG yet?
I ask because the Yamaha CSG pads employ resonators. I've been wondering what I would do if/when I have to replace one of these. Can you retain the resonator with the Omni (or other) pads?
Thanks,
Bob Barnhart
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-09-02 20:42
Would you need resonators with Omni pads if they remain flat in the centre?
The resonators on the CSG's pads are fitted to the pad itself (like sax pads) so they'd have been binned along with the pad when it gets removed. You could always snap the resonators off and glue them onto the Omni pads if you want, but that will only diminish the venting.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2010-09-02 22:27
Where can you order these pads?
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2010-09-03 03:43
Thank you Ed
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-09-03 13:04
Thank you Ed for this wonderful link.
I had not previsously seen all this good information.
My favorite page is: http://www.krausmusic.com/omnipad/omniclar.htm
Down this page there is a Kraus description of how they compare to most of what's out there and some professional feedback (positive and negative).
I also look forward to the bass clarinet pads being available soon.
Bladder pads had a good run.
.....................Paul Aviles
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-09-03 13:44
I've used Omni pads. Generally, I really like them. I found some more technical details about them so Paul, if you are interested in more information I can email you. With a few exceptions I would recommend Omni pads.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-09-03 15:59
Dear Clarnibass,
Knowing what the actual cost vs Valentino would be most helpful when talking to techs who may be reluctant for one reason or another............please e-mail me when you get the chance.
There is a local repairman who used a few sparingly within overhauls predominantly of cork who was just as curious to try out a full blown horn of these pads. His overhauls are a bit pricey but his discounted rate for a full Valentino job (over cork) was the same as for the Omnis.
Still he wouldn't quote exact figures with me .......... schade.
....................Paul Aviles
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Author: GLHopkins
Date: 2010-09-04 01:24
There will be many techs that won't use Omni pads for whatever reason. I don't believe they will take over the market, but after having used up the few sets I bought in an auction, I have no objections to them. I still prefer cork and bladder or leather, but that's just me.
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