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Re: stinky clarinet & oiling it

Author: Tony F
Date: 2014-05-03 04:21

It sounds as though the bore was oiled with an oil that was way past its use-by date and has gone rancid. I never use mineral oils on the wood of my instruments, I use sweet almond oil with about 5% of alcohol (methylated spirit) added. This is to increase penetration of the wood. A friend in the trade prefers to use peanut oil in the same way. Both seem to work well and neither smell.

IYou may be over-oiling your instrument. I oil mine once a year and it seems to be about right for where I live and how much I play. Your mileage may vary. I'd certainly get back to whoever oiled your clarinet. They may not be aware of the rancidity problem. If they have any integrity they'll rectify the problem for you at no charge. If you decide to do it yourself, then this is how I would set about it.

If you're comfortable with removing the keys, then do so. Then clean the bore with a clean swab moistened with methylated spirit. Carefully clean the tone holes and tenons with alcohol-moistened cotton buds. Wipe the outside in the same way. If you're not comfortable with removing the keys, put a piece of kitchen wrap (Gladwrap, Saran Wrap or similar) under each pad and clean as above as best you can. When the instrument has dried and you're satisfied that it no longer smells, then re-assemble. Check the pads as you go, to make sure there has been no oil transfer to them If there has, carefully clean the pad with a cotton bud. Make sure there's no oil on the tone-hole surrounds. As it dries out it will become sticky and cause more problems.

For the keys, I use sewing machine oil and a hypodermic-style oiler. some techs prefer a more viscous oil, as it quietens the key action.

Tony F.

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