 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: peewee44
Date: 2015-06-25 08:55
Hello,
The bore at top end of the top joint of my Buffet R13 appears to be loosing a layer of black paint/dye. What is revealed is a honey colored wood. Oiling makes no difference to the color of the wood.
Is this something I should deal with? If it is, how might I proceed.
I've called a couple of local repair shops and they are mystified.
Any suggestions welcome.
Thanks
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-06-25 13:56
I currently am experiencing the same issue with a Yamaha CSG. I had for a number of years used orange oil for oiling the bore and have accused myself of mistreating the bore with the wrong substance. Of late (last two weeks) I am hopefully on the mend with a much better product fabricated specifically for this purpose, but as of yet I am not experiencing improvement.
And I too am mystified.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-06-25 15:58
I do know that Buffet uses some form of stain on their clarinets. I've heard it said as much but I also have some direct experience. I had, for a brief time, experimented with a glued piece of cork to the back of the bottom joint at the point where the thumb hits the body of the horn. My first attempt was on my CSG....no problem, a little super glue - done. When I tried this with a Buffet R13 the cork/glue dropped off with a black substance intermingled with the glue. I didn't give up. After three unsuccessful glueings (each successive try revealed less stain) the fourth time was the charm.
Of course this makes the Yamaha issue (doesn't have the same obvious staining agent in the wood) even more troubling.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-06-25 16:28
Can you post a photo?
Often I see the top joint bores on clarinets looking very pale when they're dried out, but they're normally a greyish colour as opposed to a honey colour and they darken when oiled.
But I sometimes see a sort of honey coloured patch usually in the lower joint bore at the tenon end which is mineral deposits and only on the lowest point of the bore. The colour of this light patch doesn't change all that much when oiled - it darkens a bit, but is still evident. It's not all that easy to remove either - if it was on a plastic clarinet (or a metal instrument like a sax) then I'd use acid (kettle descaler) to dissolve it, but not sure if that's such a good idea on grenadilla.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2015-06-25 16:45
Buffet polishes the bore with a dark waxy material. All clarinet bores will fade with use. It seems that your clarinet was made with an interesting piece of wood. I wouldn't worry.
Steve Ocone
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-06-26 06:27
Definitely looks like the stain is being worn or leeched away where the condensation sits the most at the lower half of the bore.
Thanks for the image.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-06-26 10:46
That looks very similar to the mineral deposits I mentioned earlier, but without actually seeing the instrument in the flesh as it were, it's not easy to tell if it is.
The problem with using acids is they have to be neutralised should you use them to test (the minerals will fizz) and using vinegar will leave a smell that could linger as it soaks into the wood that you don't really want.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: peewee44
Date: 2015-07-24 07:06
Thanks so much to everyone for for all your responses and images. I am relieved!!
P
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