Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2012-09-22 08:47
A True Story:
Jerry Hoedema (of blessed memory) did instrument repairs out of his home in Ypsilanti, MI, and once overhauled a clarinet for me. When I picked it up, I realized he hadn't greased the corks and was doing so myself, when he gave me the oddest look.
It turned out that, years before, he had overhauled a clarinet for someone in the Detroit Symphony, who was livid when he found out his new corks had been greased. This gentleman made Jerry replace the brand new, lightly greased corks. He said that cork grease degrades corks, and that they lasted much longer when lubricated with petroleum jelly. So, oddly ever after, Jerry never greased new corks until he found out the customer's preference.
My response was there was one of two things happening. Perhaps he was lubricating the corks too liberally. Or, perhaps he was going too long between overhauls.
Corks do fail, but are inexpensive. Your Results May Vary.
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