 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Elkwoman46
Date: 2011-10-06 13:37
Could there be something in professional instrument oil that hurts instruments after getting old? Bacteria, organisms?
If so, what is a good oil to buy today? Oil for wooden instruments that is?
Just wondering. Thanks.
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-10-06 13:46
If the oil is organic then it can go rancid. It probably wouldn't damage an instrument structurally but it would smell pretty nasty.
The best oil on the market in my opinion is Grenad-Oil sold by Doctors Products. It's expensive but I find that it is more easily absorbed into my instruments. That being said, I find that I really only need to oil the bores on my clarinets maybe once or twice a year so one vial of oil should last a long time.
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Author: Elkwoman46
Date: 2011-10-06 14:57
THANK YOU So much, Steve!
I really appreciate your time on this matter.
I am suspecting that that could have caused this problem in my case, some kind of rancid corrosion that affected a couple of places. Just plain weird. I am definitely going to get some new bore oil immediately.
Thanks so much.
Blessings to you.
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Author: The Doctor ★2017
Date: 2011-10-06 16:40
(Disclaimer - I sell plant derived bore oil and genuine Grenadilla oil)
As stated, many organic oils can turn rancid - this is especially true for almond oil. Many also suggest using Vitamin E as a preservative but it only works somewhat well in animal fat or oil systems and not very well in plant derived oils but there are more potent antioxidants and preservatives for plant oils which will preserve plant oils for many years (they are not well known or accessible to the layman however).
The process of autoxidation (degrading glycerides in oil or turning rancid) does produce acidic byproducts which can harm the structure of wood over time in addition to smelling bad, ruining your case, and accelerating corrosion of metal in keys, springs, and posts.
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
www.ChedevilleMP.com
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2011-10-06 18:10
Oiling the clarinet also helps wipe it clean. In a very old clarinet that hasn't been oiled in years, the volatile fractions evaporate from the oil over time, leaving gunk behind. I've found that most of the antique clarinets I've bought that have been stored in their cases, indoors, will clean up nicely with nothing more violent than a wipe-down with modern bore oil. Most of the old crud slides right off. It's a different story with a filthy, moldy instrument, which may need a real bath, especially if someone's used an aromatic plant oil that's attracted critters into the case.
As for the ancient bottle of bore oil left behind in a flea market case, I may keep the bottle as a curiosity, but I'd never smear old oil on a clarinet. No need to take the concept of "restoring to original condition" quite that far! Fresh oil doesn't cost much and when in doubt, it's well worth replacing the bottle.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Elkwoman46
Date: 2011-10-06 19:47
THANK YOU everyone for your answers and comments about bore oil. I don't know what it is exactly that has caused the problem in my case and instrument, as it is not any oily residue but specs of something around a cork and around a pad, but it could be due to old bore oil left for a while??? Stuff inside eating away at it? Truly a mystery thing.
But anyway, reading these messages has helped me to see that I definitely need a new bottle anyway. The old bottle that it came with does look like a yellow/golden color, but seems to be odorless, actually nothing seems to be smelly.
Thereby, I would like to ask...if one is leaving a wooden clarinet in a case for a while in storage, what is the best way to leave it...oiled or slightly oiled, or put the entire case into a plastic bag, or any suggestions? Howbeit, of course, it is stored in a temperature controlled environment all year long. I am sure some of you know very well how to do this if you have a bunch of instruments and store some of them occasionally. I just don't know any of this yet, obviously. LOL
Furthermore, are there things to put inside the case that will help keep it in good shape? Not drying it out, but keeping pestilence at bay.
I am talking about a wooden clarinet. The one I have has no cracks in it.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2011-10-07 13:37
>>Furthermore, are there things to put inside the case that will help keep it in good shape? Not drying it out, but keeping pestilence at bay.
>>
My husband worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Pesticides Division for 28 years. He's persuaded me never to put any pesticide of any kind in my wind instrument cases. Pesticides can contaminate the clarinet, the fabric lining of the case and especially the reeds. IMHO, the best "pesticide" is simply to keep the instrument and the case clean.
When the clarinet is in storage, unplayed, it's a good idea to take it out now and then just to check on it, clean it and oil it if necessary and let fresh air into the case. It also helps to store a clarinet in the home, not in an outdoor storage unit or garage where the temperature is uncontrolled and critters are more likely to intrude. I've bought some clarinets that had been very heavily oiled for storage. Cleaning them up, and cleaning the cases, was a hassle. I'm an amateur, but fwiw based on a lot of experience as a flea market cockroach, I think it's best to keep stored clarinets oiled in the normal way: when they seem to need it.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Elkwoman46
Date: 2011-10-07 15:06
Guess what...I found the problem. Discovered a few tiny dead bugs in the case with my magnifying loop. I could not believe it. I may have mentioned this case is really not that protective. Actually, the bell rests against the case edge without any padding at all!!! Anyway, I was flabbergasted to say the least! But I have been thinking, once I get this all renewed, perhaps a new case as well, I am thinking that this entire case should go into a plastic storage box, or something of that nature, yes? I don't think I have ever had this trouble before, but perhaps the bug attraction was the bore oil???
What is so amazing is that this was in a storage room where only clean crafts, music items, and so forth are kept, fairly pristine actually.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2011-10-07 19:13
Those bugs are attracted to the felt under the pads, seems like it's their eqivalent to caviar! Look carefully at the pads, you will probably spot one or more with little semi cicles nibbled out of the edges.
It only ever seems to happen when instruments are stored and not being used.
Air the instruments occasionally - better still play them even if only for 5-10 minutes a few days each week. The wood really needs regualr exposure to playing moisture for best results.
I would not recommend oiling whilst they are being stored but give them some once they go back into regular use.
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Author: Elkwoman46
Date: 2011-10-07 21:15
Dear Norman, I think you hit it on the mark. Thank you. Okay, so how can I clean out my case to feel like it is perfect again? A thorough wash with re-gluing all over again? Sprays? Disinfectants? Icky feeling for sure. Although, I don't think it was anything too serious, and the curious thing is they are dead and there was plenty plenty more to eat. Grin. Or should I just start with a better new case? Thanks so kindly.
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Author: Elkwoman46
Date: 2011-10-07 21:56
Well, I wiped the case down the best way I knew how, and sprayed it with a disinfectant and it is outside air drying now. I feel better. Later when I get new oil... do a thorough oiling on the instrument and wipe down, in the best careful way I can do. I've been spending also some time with my loop looking and examining it thus far. And thus far I am so happy to report, I do not see any damage to the wood. I am thinking about big plastic storage boxes...
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2011-10-07 22:39
When I brought in my clarinet for an overhaul, my woodwind shop vacuumed out the old case which was damaged by mites, then recommended I put small pieces of cedar in it - the type you'd put in a clothes drawer, sold at most department stores. I have a few of these in my new case.
Laurie (he/him)
Post Edited (2011-10-07 22:40)
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