 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kev182
Date: 2013-03-11 03:35
I've heard of a few repair techs opting for synthetic cork pads in the upper joint. Has anybody heard of this? Do they sound or react differently from regular cork?
Also, is there any specific bladder pad for the lower joint that is better than most?
(not a fan of leather or valentino)
Would appreciate any info!
Post Edited (2013-03-11 15:42)
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Author: Gregory Williams
Date: 2013-03-11 04:35
Kev,
For skin pads, look into Buffet "Gore-Tex" pads (must be purchased as a complete set, unfortunately). I also like and use David Straubinger's (The Indianapolis Flute Maker) skin pads for the lower joint. Sometimes the Straubinger bridge key pads can be a bit noisy, so I use the Buffet Gore Tex pads for those, and Straubinger for everything else on the lower joint (except the corked/forked B,F#).
The Straubinger pads have a nice radius to them which the Valentinos do not have and are backed in a type of plastic that holds the pad shape well. Ask him about them.
I use mostly cork on the upper joint.
Greg Williams
Associate and Eb
Minnesota Orchestra
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2013-03-11 06:00
The only (good) "synthetic leather" pads I know (i.e. pads that are synthetic but look like leather pads and are made similarly but with the synthetic imitation leather instead of real leather) are the microfiber pads from Music Center, which AFAIK are only special order now and almsot no one uses them (AFAIK the few suppliers who used to stock them stopped).
Actually I have seen some other "synthetic leather" pads, mostly onvery cheap saxophones. they didn't look so much like leather but were similar. They were very poor quality and whatever the synthetic material was, it was weak and not good.
So if you want to know, ask what is the specific company and model of the pads you mentioned. "Synthetic leather pads" doesn't really mean much.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2013-03-11 07:19
all I know of synthetic *cork* pads (valentino masters); I have then on the UJ of one of my instruments and actually like them pretty much.
Maybe you meant leatherette pads? (yuck...)
--
Ben
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2013-03-11 11:41
I know the products from all the regular pad suppliers in the US and they do not carry a synthetic leather pad.
Steve Ocone
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Author: kev182
Date: 2013-03-11 15:42
Sorry... I posted that late at night. I meant to say synthetic CORK pads. Sorry!
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Author: kev182
Date: 2013-03-11 15:43
Gregory Williams,
Do you mean the straubinger bridge key pads can be noisy due to the hardness of the pad? or that it doesn't vent well on those tone holes?
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Author: Gregory Williams
Date: 2013-03-11 17:29
Over the course of a year or two, the skins on those two pads are more likely to buzz or rattle. I've only had this happen once, and only on those two pads, so I simply use gore-tex for those two. I don't live near a Straubinger pad tech, so it is probably just a matter simplicity for me, I don't want to have to ship the clarinet in case of a problem with those two pads...should it happen again.
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2013-03-11 22:55
I have used the Valentino Masters on a number of clarinets for professional players. These are probably the pads you are asking about. My customers have been very happy with them. The take as much care to install properly as a cork pad (except for the prepping on the cork pad itself). The sound is much closer to cork than the other synthetic pads, Key noise should be less with the synthetics and they should last longer. I don't normally use them on the larger tone holes of the lower joint for noise issues and because they make those notes play very differently. I also generally don't use them on the ring keys. There is still a little mushiness that throws me off.
Steve Ocone
Post Edited (2013-03-12 12:41)
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