 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2012-11-02 00:18
I have a collection of professional Selmers from the Model 55 through the Series 10. I play in two community bands and normally use my Series 9. After rehearsals, I am often one of the last ones ready to leave because I wipe down the keys in addition to careful swabbing. I am often given a hard time about how long it takes me to get ready to leave (one French Horn player is usually there with me cleaning her instrument). On the other hand, my instrument is always the one that is clean, shiny and working. The attitude of some of the other clarinetists seems to be that you play it until it goes to the shop and let them make it look good. I spend about twenty minutes per month with a polishing cloth (keys are not plated) while I go over my instrument looking for regulation problems and possible developing trouble. I also carry a fairly complete field repair kit and it is not uncommon for me to be handed an instrument during rehearsal to replace a pad or spring, adjust a linkage, etc. In one of the groups I know we have at least three very good players with instruments that need new cork on one or more tenons. I have offered to fix them for free, but they don't seem to feel they can part with their instruments for that long (one week between rehearsals). They have no reservations as to the quality of my work.
Am I unusual in being so particular about the condition of my instrument or are there more out there like me? In high school (1960-1964) we had a band director who insisted that we learn how to take care of our instruments. We were also expected to write an essay on basic maintenance of our instruments. That sparked my interest in learning how to repair mine.
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2012-11-02 00:35
Louis Armstrong was just as meticulous about keeping his trumpet clean just like yourself and we all know he had the greatest sound around.
Post Edited (2012-11-02 00:51)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-11-02 00:39
I just counter the question - where would you start?
(My pet peeve/interest as an engineer is - where does/would it (some situation/conditiuon) hurt most?)
--
Ben
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Author: ariel3
Date: 2012-11-02 00:52
You have company ! I have a set ( A & B-flat) Selmer Series 10 Mazzeo clarinets that I purchased in 1971. I have always treated my horns in the same manner as you describe. About fifteen years ago a had the keys (nickle) plated with silver as part of an overhaul. Today, they look and play as if new.
I keep a Sylvet cloth on top of the horns in the case and wash it frequently to remove any oil residue.
Perhaps I have an incentive to be fussy because I cannot replace these clarinets since the Mazzeo model is no longer made.
Enjoy your clarinets !
Gene
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2012-11-02 02:28
Clarineteer: In college, I had a chance to hear Louis Armstrong in person on campus. As the assigned photographer for the campus paper, I had access to just about anywhere I wanted to go. All I can say about that show is WOW!!!!!!!!
Because I repaired instruments for the band, I was allowed to set up the instrument repair room as my own private darkroom. I didn't have to wait until the newspaper offices were open.
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Author: bethmhil
Date: 2012-11-02 02:41
We pay good money for these instruments that come straight out of the factories looking absolutely gorgeous & shiny. For me, it's really satisfying to be able to keep my clarinet looking brand new.
BMH
Illinois State University, BME and BM Performance
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2012-11-02 03:05
bethmhil: You and I are on the same page except that I like to start with an older instrument and bring it back -- a hobby that keeps me out of a lot of other trouble. I have intimate knowledge of every piece of every instrument in my Selmer collection. I only keep the best examples of each model.
At a recent rehearsal, I was handed a Buffet that had gotten stuck outside playing in a light rain (I had already replaced the tenon cork that came loose). I know the player did his best to keep it dry. However, it had developed a sticky key. The owner was amazed at how much better it worked after a few well placed drops of The Doctor's key oil.
Post Edited (2012-11-02 03:18)
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Author: marcia
Date: 2012-11-02 05:51
I don't wipe down the keys after every rehearsal but after orchestra rehearsal the other clarinetist and I are usually the last to pack up. We both swab our instruments carefully (most of the time we use both A and Bb). I think Our stage manager (a horn player) is sometimes a little impatient with us as he is waiting to lock up the room.
When I played in community bands I was a little taken aback at how quickly the other clarinetists were packed up. I wondered if some of them even owned a swab!
Taking the time to care for the instrument is always worthwhile.
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Author: davetrow
Date: 2012-11-02 06:04
I'm pretty much with you on this: I am generally one of the last people out of rehearsal in the two wind ensembles I play in because it takes so long to swab out the Buffet Low-C bass clarinet I play. (I don't wipe the keys.)
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-11-02 06:54
I take as long as it takes to swab and dry my instruments after band practise, but I leave wiping the keys for my home maintenance period, when I check pads, corks, regulation, lubrication, etc. This way my instruments always look good and work. I'm sometimes horrified at the state of some instruments. It seems that brass players in particular are guilty of this, some brass horns come out of the case looking like old plumbing fittings.
Tony F.
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2012-11-02 08:42
Like the great Hans Moennig I prefer clarinets with unplated German silver keys only and use a jewelers rouge cloth to wipe the keys down after playing each time which keeps them looking and feeling great. I also swab thoroughly. I use a microfiber cloth to wipe the inside of the sockets if there is any excess. moisture there.
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Author: Mike Clarinet
Date: 2012-11-02 08:45
I'm also usually the last one packed up. I don't particularly wipe down all the keywork (Or I wait until I get hope to do so), but I'm a 'wet blower', so I am thorough about swabbing. I usually give the reed a wipe then store flat in a reed case with a dessicant, dry the inside of the mpc with a thing like a mini pad-saver (about 2 inches long) swab each part thoroughly, making sure the insides of the sockets and the ends of the tenons are dry. I'm just as thorough with the sax - mpc & reed get the same treatment as clarinet, tip water out of body, pull through crook & body, store pad saver in body. Everyone else seems to have cleared up around me.
I'm also fairly good at diagnosing problems on other people's instrument - (I don't try to fix them, but can usually show them what's wrong). People come to me after rehearsal to try to find out why their long Eb won't work (usually knackered cork on link) or L/H B won't work (crow's foot) or... or... This all slows me down too, especially if I want to play-test.
Then we add to the fun that my wife is band chair this year, and we hold the key to the rehearsal room. Can I find Z-flat Mukkinese Battlehorn parts for a Dep? Sorry, they only read in the other clef... It all takes longer & longer to gety out of rehearsal & to the pub. (The up side of that is that someone already at the bar buys our drinks for us - add a load of guilt about not standing my round...)
Sorry - getting off topic.
No you're not unusual in that you've invested a lot of time / money in your instruments and you look after them. Regular preventative maintainence is better the the long run than a complete break-down.
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