 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2012-12-15 13:37
My outdoors clarinet needs a total overhaul, and I'd like to have the instrument rebuilt with the goal of making it as durable and weather-resistant as possible. But, I'm not totally sure what I should be asking for from my technician.
The main durability issue I'm having is with cork bumpers falling off and disintegrating, and it's a never-ending battle keeping my outdoors instrument in good regulation. Is there another material available that I ought to investigate?
Pad-wise, I'm leaning towards cork pads on the register key and trill key stack, and possibly leather throughout the remainder of the instrument. I recently had an instrument overhauled using Valentino "Green Back" pads and don't much care for the firm tactile response that they provide. Still, there are other series of Valentino pads available.
Anyway, I'd appreciate your suggestions on rebuilding a clarinet specifically for outdoors playing. About 90% of my performances are outdoors, often in blazing sunshine and/or high humidity.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-12-15 13:47
I used cork pads almost throughout on my plastic Yamaha clarinet (and plastic Signet Soloist oboe) with leather pads in the four largest pad cups, rubberised cork for the majority of key stopper corks, nylon tipped adjusting screws and ultrasuede for open-standing keys which keep key noise down to a minimum.
Pretty much what I do when overhauling any clarinet as these materials have proved themselves where longevity and durability is concerned.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Pastor Rob
Date: 2012-12-15 14:13
Ursa,
I am curious what clarinet you are overhauling? Wood or hard rubber body? I had a Ridenour that I gave away to a fifth grader. I don't play outside too often so I was thinking about having either a rubber Peddler or a Freres Lamont (wood) fixed up, but I am not sure whether the end result will be worth the investment. My wife wants them both out of the closet;).
Pastor Rob Oetman
Leblanc LL (today)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2012-12-15 21:50
I'm not sure how your pads could be deteriorating more than usual. I use greenlines in every outdoor situation, and many indoor applications as well. I've played in rain, sun, 120 degree heat, below freezing temps (in some snow flurries sometimes) etc. etc. and the stock factory pads and bumpers have lasted years.
Maybe just make sure a good tech gets a hold of your instrument, tell them your intended use, and let them use their best judgement as to what you need.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2012-12-16 17:32
@Chris...thanks for your insights. I would've never thought of using Ultrasuede as a silencing material, but doing so seems perfectly logical.
@Pastor Rob...the clarinet to be rebuilt is a 1950's-vintage Bundy 1400 in particularly fine condition but nonetheless in need of overhaul. I have fine hard rubber clarinets on hand--a Pruefer Festival Unibody and a Lyrique 576BC--and I worry about them discolouring and/or losing dimensional integrity when played outside on hot sunny days. One of my former instruments, a hard rubber Pan American 58N, heated up so much in the sunshine it began to give off a nasty tire odour, and I haven't played a hard rubber horn out in the sun ever since. Even without the concerns about sunlight exposure, there's plenty of airborne dust, pollen, and sand floating about around here. You wouldn't want to expose any pro clarinet to the environs I perform in, be it wood, hard rubber, Greenline, or otherwise.
@Alexi...I'm not having any major pad issues--I recently liberated this instrument from a pawn shop and, while playable, it needs pads. I'm looking for a durable setup that feels great under the fingers. The Valentino Greenbacks on my Pruefer just don't respond the way I like. I'm going to be playing this Bundy a lot, and it has to feel right as rain.
Thanks, everyone, for chiming in...
Greg
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2012-12-17 23:09
Hi, Alex...yes, that post did indeed refer to Meyer Music. At that time, I was shown a couple of Selmer USA plastic basses in beautiful condition for $995. I've had a couple of soprano clarinets serviced there per the recommendation of my former clarinet professor. The overhaul I had done on my Normandy was top-notch, but an annual check-up done on a Vito 7214 seems to have been performed rather indifferently. I have mixed feelings about the retail staff there; I've encountered a bit of brand snobbery from some retail associates, and a lack of clarinet knowledge from others.
Overall, Meyer Music is a better choice for woodwind instrument sales and service than regional rival Marshall Music. If you do shop at Marshall's, do not consider the Accent brand of instruments.
Post Edited (2012-12-17 23:14)
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