 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: dtiegs
Date: 2011-08-26 13:23
I am purchasing a new step up clarinet (likely to be wood), and lately, I have been reading reports of clarinets cracking due to extreme changes in temperature and humidity. Has anyone actually proved that a humidifier in a case helps prevents cracks?
And what should I oil my clarinet with?
What are other options to keeping my clarinet from cracking?
Or am I just paranoid?
Thanks,
Dalton
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-08-26 16:35
Dalton,
You can't 100% prevent a crack as some wood is going to crack no matter what you do. However, if you let the humidity drop the wood will start to shrink and the rings around the tenon sockets will get loose. This will allow the wood to flex more when the tenon is inserted into the socket and often results in the socket cracking. I have had this happen to me before.
If you keep the instrument at about 50% relative humidity you shouldn't have this problem. I store all of my clarinets in the same room and have a large electric humidifier that keep the room at 50-55% humidity year round. This seems to be working well as I haven't had any problems with loose rings since I started doing this.
If using an electric humidifier to control the room conditions isn't practical that you may want to consider using a case humidifier. For a single clarinet case the small Humistat #1's work well. For a double case I have a larger humidifier that was meant for use with guitars.
As for oiling, I like "Grenad-Oil" sold by Doctor's Products. Don't go crazy with oiling the instrument either. You really only need to oil the instrument when you notice that the wood starts getting lighter in color and dry looking. I probably only need to oil my clarinets a couple of times a year.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ThatPerfectReed
Date: 2011-08-26 17:20
While I think concern over cracking is not a reason to shy away from wood clarinets, especially if you follow some of the suggestions of the prior poster, do also consider Ridenour's rubber clarinets http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/Bbclarpg.html (I don't know your budget.)
Much has been written (on the board) about these horns if you want opinions, and I think Tom Ridenour does a pretty good job with not only the design of his horns, but challenging the idea that wood is the only thing you can make a clarinet out of, and still sound good.
Good luck.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-08-27 21:56
There's a reason that the finest clarinets are made of wood but there are many that aren't any good as well. The fact that they are made of wood alone does not make a clarinet good. I've been a pro for 50 years, and still am. I've never had a crack, I don't oil my instruments, though my repairman might have on occasion. i keep a humidifier on my furnace for health reasons as well, it's better the house not get too dry in the winter, dry months. I keep a dampit in my case once the heat starts coming on. The air gets dryer inside and outside in MD. I use common sense, you know, I don't put my clarinets near a heater, I don't play them right away if they're really cold from being out side for a long time, I let them sit open for a few minutes before playing them. I swab out regularly and keep the pads dry, which of course increases the pad life. Make sure the rings are tight. Just use common sense, that's what I always told my students to do when they bought a new clarinet. Some clarinets will crack no matter what you do, period. ESP
eddiesclarinet.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Marie from New York
Date: 2011-08-29 09:02
I have a terrific repair guy in my town and he says to eat an orange and leave the peels out for one day to dry out and then put them in your case. It is what I suggest to all my students and what I do, myself. (Also make your case smell nice:)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-08-29 18:51
Get a Humistat and some GrenadOil (with an oiling rig). Both are available at the Doctor's Products. Check the Sponsor links on the right side of this page, under ACCESSORIES.
I have used these items for several years with no problems whatsoever on my wooden clarinet. The doc also makes a wonderful swab, the Black Legend, and great cork grease, Dr. Slick!
Usual disclaimer: I am affiliated in no way whatsoever with Dr, Omar Henderson or The Doctor's Products, and pay full price for all the items I receive from him. I make my recomendations solely on the basis of being a satisfied customer.
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 (2011-08-29 20:32)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2011-08-29 20:05
Orange peels can leave a nice smell but if they are fresh they can get moldy. The practice began with school kids' lunch bags and became a popular joke. Ed's suggestions above are good rules to observe. Blowing into a cold clarinet is a surefire way to crack a barrel or top of the horn area.
Bob Draznik
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
