 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2012-02-07 17:43
First, I've checked the archives and found a variety of opinions but not everything that I need to know.
I just got an excellent buy on a Backun cocobolo barrel with a large blonde streak in the front. Some might say that this gives it character, but I do not wish to call attention to my clarinet or myself, especially during public performances. It would still be a little noticeable if the barrel were turned around. The rest of it is a dark reddish brown, almost a match to the clarinet. I would like to stain the blonde streak dark reddish brown, but if this doesn't match I would go ahead and stain the whole thing black. I tried a little minwax stain on the edge, but it wouldn't take. I assume there's a protective finish that needs to be removed, or the wood is too hard. Here's my questions:
1. how do I prep this for staining / coloring?
2. what dark reddish brown and black materials can I use to color it?
Thanks for any suggestions offered
Laurie
Laurie (he/him)
Post Edited (2012-02-11 16:17)
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Author: Sean.Perrin
Date: 2012-02-07 17:56
Did you get it second hand or from the factory second Backun store? Aren't these types of blemishes to be expected?
When I re-did the logos on my Fobes barrels I used a gold, rub-on oil paint crayon and it worked incredibly well and still looks great. But I don't think it would have worked all over if I was trying to mask a blemish, just in the engrained sections (this isn't really what you're asking, actually).
Perhaps you could get some furniture crayons that match the wood? That might be a cheap/simple fix. Staining it might negate the money you saved in the first place, or negatively affect the product's performance...
Founder and host of the Clarineat Podcast: http://www.clarineat.com
Post Edited (2012-02-07 17:59)
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2012-02-07 18:00
I bought it from a third party seller. I saw pictures so I knew exactly what I was getting, but at nearly a third of retail cost it was worth it.
Laurie (he/him)
Post Edited (2012-02-07 18:01)
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2012-02-07 19:01
1. The Rolling Stones approach: Krylon, Matte black . No runs, drips, or errors.
OR
2. Spin it on a lathe at 2500-3600 rpms, while you sand it with 320 grit, then 400, then 600. until all finish removed. Then stain with whatever you like. Then seal it with your choice of wax, varnish, resin, or synthetic coating.
OR
3. Spread glue, then roll it in sequins for that SuperBowl Halftime look.
OOpps.....OH yeah......"I do not wish to call attention to my clarinet or myself, especially during public performances." So I guess #3 is out of the question.
OR
4. Contact the manufacturer and ask them what to do.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: ABerry
Date: 2012-02-09 04:28
Hey Allan,
1. The Rolling Stones approach: Krylon, Matte black . No runs, drips, or errors.
Johnny Bench had the very same approach, only I believe it was a high gloss red enamel...
Allan
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Author: BobD
Date: 2012-02-09 11:14
Oh, go ahead, leave the barrell alone and be conspicuous.........
Bob Draznik
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Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2012-02-09 12:37
Take the time and energy that you're going to waste on this project, and practice. If there is a "blond" streak in your Barrel turn it so it's facing you when you're playing and it won't draw any undeserved attention to you. Or return it and get a different one.
Tom Puwalski
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-02-09 12:38
I'd live with it as it is - if you want a cocobolo barrel, then expect it to look different. It won't look like the next one you'll ever see.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: ww.player
Date: 2012-02-09 16:14
I'm sure that Backun attempted to stain the whole barrel. The fact that a section didn't take means that it won't stain normally, so there isn't any way to stain it completely to match. If you believe that material affects tone, then refinishing or painting will change the sound.
IMO, your best bet would be a brown permanent marker of the proper shade. The end result probably won't be a thing of beauty, but you may be surprised. At least it will blend with your clarinet a lot more. Try a small corner with the marker first to see if it's an effect you want for the whole spot.
BTW, the streak can't be any more distracting than the plate that Buffet sticks on the front of the upper joint of their top level clarinets now. I would just play and enjoy knowing that I had something unique.
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Author: CocoboloKid
Date: 2012-02-09 16:23
I do not believe Morrie "stains" anything...the whole point of his work is to let the natural beauty of the wood show. The white streak is simply part of what makes that piece of cocobolo unique.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2012-02-09 17:16
To all the previous advice to just leave it alone, I would add that, however conspicuous you think it looks, probably no one sitting more than 10 feet away will even notice it - if it's even visible at that distance. People who would notice it probably weren't listening to the music in the first place, so they won't have been distracted from anything.
Karl
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Author: donald
Date: 2012-02-09 17:31
colour it in with a sharpie pen, then no one will notice it.
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2012-02-09 20:52
Tom Puwalski wrote:
>Take the time and energy that you're going to waste on this project, and
>practice.
Busted! I do get carried away sometimes...... I had that thought recently as I was spending way too much time trimming and sanding hose washers to use as tuning rings, finally had to just put them away.
Looks like the consensus is to leave it as is. It is kinda growing on me ![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) . I was mainly trying to hide my bad case of GAS from the other clarinet players, who seem to be content with what they have. I'm the new "kid," and I keep showing up with new stuff ![[grin]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie5.gif) .
If I do anything to change the color I think the brown permanent marker will do the trick and be the least invasive. Speaking of invasive, I didn't mention it also has a very small hole (about .4 by .4 mm) on the blond streak, which shows up clearly as a dark spot. ![[frown]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie2.gif) I will probably use a dab of wood filler on it, the type with fine sawdust and is a close match to blond color.
BTW: Even if I wanted to return it, I couldn't, since I bought it as, no returns from a woodwinds seller on eBay. I knew exactly what I was getting, though, and for less than $45 it is a great deal.
I'll discuss how it play on another thread about barrels, but I still need to run more tests against the tuner and my stock barrel.
Laurie
Laurie (he/him)
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Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2012-02-09 20:57
I know I hate to draw attention to myself when I play. Thats why my new clarinet is red Cocobolla with gold keys. It's seriously Stealth.
Tom Puwalski
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2012-02-09 22:07
If you (i.e. anyone) don't want to draw attention to yourself when playing, hide and don't make any sound... should work.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2012-02-09 23:38
....or dye a streak of your hair blonde to match.......
Bob Draznik
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2012-02-10 18:57
If you don't want to draw attention to youerself, play an alto clarinet. Nobody will listen or watch.
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."
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