 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sdr
Date: 2013-02-08 15:44
I have recently come in to posession of great older Leblanc A clarinet. Terrific sound and intonation. It is very dried out from lack of use --- bell and barrel rings loose, etc.. I would like to carefully rehydrate it and also oil the bore. I am interested in opinions/advice about which to do first, and about routine or method for rehydration.
-sdr
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2013-02-08 15:53
My advice would be to buy a good humidifier and try to regulate the humidity in the room in which the clarinet is stored to ~50% relative humidity. Just leave the clarinet in the room with the case open for a few days and things will take care of themselves. This will allow the wood to absorb moisture slowly and will prevent any "shocks to the system" that could potentially cause problems. Most likely this will tighten up the tenon rings but if it does not you can look into unserting thin paper shims between the wood and the rings.
I would hold off on oiling the bore until you have rehydrated the clarinet as I describe above and can determine if it is really necessary.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2013-02-08 20:24
Not to argue with SteveG, who is very wise especially regarding older clarinets, but I have successfully re-oiled (inside and out) very dry clarinets without humidifying them first --- not because of any objection to Steve's approach (which is probably safer), but mainly because I'm impatient and don't own a humidifier. I'd recommend a good bore oil like the one sold by our very own Dr. Omar (Doctor's Products).
Years ago I mistakenly bid on and won an old and very dried-out clarinet from the infamous Internet auction site because the wood looked cherry-red in the photos and I thought the clarinet was made of rosewood --- in fact it was grenadilla but totally dried out, the instant I applied oil the clarinet turned (and stayed) black again.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-02-08 21:06
If you don't own a humidifier, you can always place the joints (with the keys, screws and springs removed) in self-sealing plastic bags with a damp sponge, flannel, rag or sheet of kitchen roll for a few days.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2013-02-09 02:06
I've always wondered, if it plays well dry, why oil it and potentially make slight changes to the bore and dimensions and therefore tuning? Why not just have the rings pressed in, or do the trick with putting a thin piece of paper or something?
I would like a tech to respond as to whether oiling the wood could potentially change the bore or affect playability and why not just let it be if it plays well as is.
Alexi <- don't know how oiling a bore would affect it, but I've got a great clarinet at home I haven't oiled for fear of having it lose its resonance, tuning, etc.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: kilo
Date: 2013-02-09 09:34
But if one does plan on oiling the bore, the wood will be more absorbent before it is subjected to rehydration.
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2013-02-09 11:00
The reason to treat a dried out clarinet is that you will be adding moisture to it as soon as you play it. Whichever way you add moisture it is best to do it slowly, so there is less chance of it cracking. This means only playing it for a few minutes at a time to start and gradually increasing the playing time over a few weeks, and/or adding humidity to the case/ room/ container that it is in.
Steve Ocone
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-02-09 13:41
If the wood is really dry then I think it is in more danger of cracking than if you were to oil it. I've always oiled wooden tool handles, both workshop and garden, and while I've had them break I've never had them crack. Can't really comment on how it might affect tone, but when I've oiled my instruments I can't honestly say I've seen any deterioration.
Tony F.
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