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Should I Risk It?

Author: maxnorman
Date: 2011-12-13 20:08

I'll be leaving this weekend for Durango, Colorado (elevation about 6500 ft), where I'll be staying for a little more than a fortnight. Last winter I took my R13 with me and, taking precautions like heating and humidifying my little practice trailer (an old Airstream which serves as a guesthouse), practiced for a few hours a day.

But a few months ago, when I took my clarinets in for service, the repairman pointed out a rather ghastly crack around the A, Ab, and fourth side-key tone holes--something I had thought was merely a superficial scratch. He said that this crack probably occurred when I was at elevation.

So, I stand before you today with a question: should I risk it again? He suggested that if I ever fly with my instruments I should wrap them in saran wrap, which somehow might help with the pressure differential experienced in the airplane. And I figure if I humidify and heat, isn't that enough?

I could track down a B12 and slap my set-up on it, but I've got a rather important concert in mid-January for which I must practice over the vacation, and would very much prefer to use my own instrument. Any thoughts?

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Re: Should I Risk It?

Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2011-12-13 20:14

I don't think pressure differential is really a problem but extreme change of humidity is.
Why not purchase an old cheap but serviceable pro model for travel/practice.
Many really fine Leblancs seem to go for peanuts and if you want to stick with Buffet then perhaps and old Evette & Schaefer.

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Re: Should I Risk It?

Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2011-12-13 21:42

I share Norman's view - I seriously doubt that the pressure difference had something to do with it. What's the worst for wood is not the change in temperature and humidity per se (as long as it's within reasonable limits) but rather the rapidity of such a change, where eg the outer millimeter of the wood is cold or dry and the inner "core" still is warm and wet, or vice versa.

If it's just for practicing, you're best off with an old plastic horn, such as a Vito or a Buffet B12 or thereabouts. Get one that's closest to your current instrument re key layout and ergonomics so you don't have to adapt all that much.

--
Ben

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Re: Should I Risk It?

Author: Sean.Perrin
Date: 2011-12-14 00:09

I have a plastic clarinet exactly for such purposes. I just bring along a good barrel and mouthpiece. Works every time.

Founder and host of the Clarineat Podcast: http://www.clarineat.com

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Hawaii?

Author: dtiegs
Date: 2011-12-14 00:38

I am about to the same thing. I currently live in Idaho, and over the summer we are going to Hawaii. Will the sea air damage grenadilla?

DTiegs

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Re: Should I Risk It?

Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2011-12-14 03:12

I think that cracked wood results from a temperature or humidity difference between the inside and outside of the clarinet.

If you take your cold-soaked clarinet out of your car and blow 100% humidity, body temperature air through it, it is quite likely that the warming and expanding interior will putt the outer surface apart.

Figure that, normally your clarinet has afore-mentioned warm, damp air inside ant 70-ish degF air on the outside. That 26-degF temperature (plus, at equilibrium moisture content) difference, I think, takes the outer fibers to about half of their breaking strength (your wood WILL differ from my data on thermal expansion and strength data). A 50-deg clarinet being played by a human is close to its strength limit.

Bob Phillips

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Re: Should I Risk It?

Author: Luuk ★2017
Date: 2011-12-15 07:25

Hi maxnorman,

Saran wrap will surely not have any influence on pressure differences, but you risk growing mould when wrapping the instrument in plastic which is semi- impermeable to water vapour. Your repair man may be a great craftsman, but apparently lacks some knowledge of physics.

Beside that, I agree with other reactions that pressure is most likely not the culprit, but humidity together with temperature changes is. Bob points this out nicely.

Also, some wood has faults hidden inside the wall of the clarinet which make the instrument in question more susceptible to cracks. At those faults stress builds up. The more homogeneous the wood, the less likely cracks will occur.

Regards,

Luuk
Philips Symphonic Band
The Netherlands

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