 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kdk
Date: 2014-06-19 04:10
I've been having a problem with my Selmer 10G A clarinet (1980s vintage). Water collects in the register tube. Not gobs, just enough to cause consequences for throat Bb, B4, C5 and sometimes a little higher depending on how much water is involved.
To clear it I need to take the register key off and swab the tube with a pipe cleaner. End of problem for awhile.
It's the original vent tube. I'm wondering if anyone is aware of some idiosyncrasy of those 10G A clarinets that would explain this. It doesn't happen on any of my other instruments, including a '70s vintage 10G Bb.
Karl
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-06-19 04:32
The best way to clear condensation from the speaker tube is to blow it out with a lot of force and noise during a quiet passage in the music you're playing (during a flute or violin solo is always best). Or if you're near a microphone, move nearer to it and direct your airstream directly to it as you blow the water clear.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2014-06-19 05:11
That's fine in a rehearsal or performance. It kind of loses meaning when I'm in my practice studio, which now that I think of it is usually where I am when it happens.
:)
Karl
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2014-06-19 06:41
I've read that some companies use delrin register tubes in their clarinet to avoid condensation inside the tube. It wouldn't be hard to find someone with enough lathe experience to make you a copy of the original tube out of delrin or some other synthetic material that does not produce condensation.
It is also possible that the register tube does not protrude into the bore enough causing condensation to leak into the tube. Although I've never seen this on a selmer clarinet or any professional clarinet for that matter.
For a quick fix try smearing some butchers wax inside the tube so that water beads up and rolls out.
Hope this helps!
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2014-06-19 17:59
The pipe cleaner you use may not be removing the caked on residue, which then attracts water. You could try putting some metal polish on the pipe cleaner (a thick pipe cleaner if you can find one) and scrub out the tube. I actually do this with. a bench motor. The wax idea is good. Also, plumbers silicone grease could be used to coat the inside of the tube.
Steve Ocone
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-06-19 18:39
I usually remove them during servicing and pickle them in weak acid to remove mineral deposits.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2014-06-19 21:42
Here's what to do.
Even a big repairman missed this one which I fixed - take the end of an air canister (the red plastic tube) and scrape inside the tube. Staples compressed air has the right size straw (a cocktail straw basically), some are too large and won't fit.
That can really remove a lot of gunk!!
Then you can paint with Almond oil around the area to prevent it from that path.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: kdk
Date: 2014-06-19 22:41
Thanks, all. The basic message seems to be that there's probably more than just water in the tube and whatever junk is lining the inside is probably leading the water in. I'll work on cleaning it out more thoroughly. I have both Butchers wax and almond oil in the house to use as a water repellent at the entry to the tube.
And if worse comes to worse, the more noise I can make clearing it in a performance. the better!
Seems funny that the whole reason for having the tube projecting into the bore is to prevent this from happening. I wonder what would happen if you re-positioned the outside opening upward so you could put the tube in at a downward angle instead of flat.
Karl
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2014-06-19 22:56
Almond oil is organic and goes rancid in time. Isn't plain mineral oil (as used by octogenarians for unmentionable purposes) just as effective? Non-organic oils don't become fetid.
I do, of course, realize that we're dealing with a minuscule amount of oil in a minuscule tubule, so my comment is petty in the extreme, so ignore it at your pleasure.
bruno>
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2014-06-20 03:31
I would stay away from almond oil. It can get gummy and could attract dirt and dust.
Steve Ocone
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