 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2013-10-09 15:32
One of my instruments is a particularly juicy R13 that has unusually severe problems with water in the C#/G# and side Bb/Ab keys.
I use the usual papers to absorb moisture (KimWipes work better than cigarette papers for me, especially because there's no lint and they're easier to handle) and the oil trail trick from time to time, and I swab when I can.
My question is not about those techniques. What I would like to know is if anyone has an idea for a "tool" that I could insert INTO the tone holes on the fly during a performance--quickly, such as between movements--that will wick the moisture away from the sides of the tone holes. Something pipe-cleaner-like, maybe, but absorbent and "lintless," that I can use in addition to the papers and swab.
Thanks.
B.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-10-09 17:44
I don't think you'd be well served looking for something to "stick" under a pad in the heat of the moment. That just begs for bigger problems down the road.
Another road which might be better in the long run, would be to find a pad that does NOT encourage water adhesion. Unfortunately I can't really say of there is such a thing (perhaps leather, if anyone else cares to comment on that). I have, however found that there may be an issue of GREATER water adhesion with the stiffer, flatter synthetic pads. So start by not using these on those particular tone holes.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-10-09 21:05
In an earlier thread, some people recommended Rain-X, which makes rain bead up and slide off car windshields.
Is anyone using it now?
Ken Shaw
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Author: TJTG
Date: 2013-10-10 00:48
I take off my G#/C# key and put wood-safe oil in there. (I use sweet almond oil) I also try to paint it around the hold on the inside of bore with a q-tip. It will help repel water away from the hole. Eventually the oil is absorbed, but it works for a while.
Be sure not to let the oil get on the outside of the tone hole where the pad is seated against the wood. This will lead to a sticky pad and a little "pop" or "click" when you open the key.
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2013-10-10 02:03
Yes, did the oiling thing, but this time I'm going to try silicone lubricant (no, I'm not afraid of ruining my clarinet) on the sides of the tone hole, plus the usual "oil channel."
I doubt changing pads would make a difference; the condensation isn't on the pads, it's in the tone holes and bore.
Just thought someone might have an idea for an "on the fly" tool.
Thanks for your suggestions.
B.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2013-10-10 03:58
Teflon powder is fantastic at repelling water, so perhaps try rubbing that on the surface. I supsect it would last longer than oil because it would not absorb.
For suppliers, Google [teflon powder piano]
But I have some doubts about the whole idea of a water repellant surface. That is what makes the water bead and run places.
By contrast, a detergent on the surface allows the moisture to spread on the surface rather than bead and run.
Post Edited (2013-10-10 03:59)
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-10-10 05:21
I've been using an automotive teflon spray for this for some years. I spray it into a paper cup and then apply it to the bore around the tone hole, the inside of the tone hole and the actual pad using a long Q-tip. It works well for perhaps 6 months, then repeat. Oiling the bore doesn't stop the water problems, but the silicon treatment does.
Tony F.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2013-10-10 13:40
I've used 3M's Scotchguard Fabric Protector at times too applied similarly to what Tony described. Possibly similar to the automotive Teflon spray. There are also Teflon sprays from Engineers supplies.
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Author: joe423
Date: 2013-10-10 19:47
How does the oil path work? Oil repels water so why would the condensation follow the path of the oil?
1975 Buffet R13 Bb Clarinet
1968 Buffet R13 A Clarinet
Pyne Clarion Mouthpiece
Vandoren V12 3.5 Reeds
Vandoren Optimum Ligature
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-10-11 01:07
I get them from my local pharmacy, stock item, Made by Johnson and Johnson as I remember.
Tony F.
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2013-10-11 01:20
I seem to remember a tool....perhaps it was through Midwest Musical Imports..... it was like small baster, eye dropper....you squeeze it and air was directed into the tonehole.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: Johnny Galaga
Date: 2013-10-13 19:06
I've always wondered if there's a similar thing for mouthpieces. It would be nice if there was a tool to clean out the mouthpiece without having to undo the reed and ligature.
Basically, you would remove the mouthpiece, slide the tool up through the mouthpiece tenon, and rub it against the inside surface and reed to dry off the water and saliva, without having to spend the time to pull off the reed and put it back on again in a pinch. Especially if you don't want to risk misadjusting the reed during a performance.
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Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2013-10-15 20:37
>I've always wondered if there's a similar thing for mouthpieces. It would be nice if there was a tool to clean out the mouthpiece without having to undo the reed and ligature.
rico mouthpiece saver.. they are ~$2.
not sure if you can get all of the water w/o removing reed.
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Author: Vova Doob(UA)
Date: 2013-10-15 21:22
There is few things that can help resolve this problem.
1) Good service of instrument (repadding full oiling and cleaning) can help you.
2) From my own experience: leather and cork pads works better with "crying" clarinet, they don`t have big influence on water, but they works better with wet tone holes.
3) Old method (I don`t know how to write it probably in English but hope you`ll understand me):
Maby this method was described here with using Oil...
Take dry clarinet, some alcohol, pipette....
With help of pipette send one or two drops inside clarinet bore, and directing drops near tone holes(it will be not good if alcohol will put to the tone hole), make a alcohol channel from top to pottom in every joint. Alcohol channel for few monthes will direct stream of water in way that it was made, its the best way I ever tried to resolve this problem.
Hope You understand all that I wrote
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