 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2015-08-29 02:09
I have a Selmer basset horn, which I bought used but in excellent condition about two years ago. However, some of the white leather pads are slightly "sticky", and make an audible click as they release. This seems to get worse after an extended period of playing, presumably as the pads pick up moisture, sometimes to the point where a pad doesn't release instantly.
As the offending pads are in otherwise perfect condition and are seating correctly I'm reluctant to replace them. Equally, I don't want to increase spring tensions just to overcome sticky pads, as I'm happy with the regulation. I'm not a fan of powder papers. I've tried cleaning the pads and their seatings with lighter fluid, after which there was a slight but still insufficient improvement. I've even experimented with a silicone leather proofer, which didn't help - but didn't seem to do any harm either!
Can anyone suggest any other potions or suitable magic that would fix the problem without re-padding?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2015-08-29 03:15
How "vigorously" did you clean the pads with lighter fluid?
I have found this usually works but one often needs to work the fluid well into the seat impression of the pad with say a cotton bud and this really needs the keys to be off the instrument.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2015-08-29 03:33
The tone holes are also sticky. I use window cleaner to clean both body and pad. In the distant past I have used stronger cleaners like Fantastic on pads (I don't recall using it on wood. I have used different powders including Teflon and graphite after the cleaning. All of these solutions are usually temporary.
Steve Ocone
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2015-08-29 03:53
I use pure talc which I got at a pharmacy back at the prescription counter.
Post Edited (2015-08-29 03:53)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-08-29 05:34
I use alcohol of a Qtip on both pad and tone holes. Sometimes if the tone hole edges are too sharp this can exacerbate the problem. I've used a silicon product with some success, but it only helps when the pads and tone holes have been cleaned with alcohol or something similar.
Tony F.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BartHx
Date: 2015-08-29 06:39
I don't recall where I saw it, but I saw a suggestion that Roo pads be treated with Old English furniture polish (liquid). Cut a strip of typing paper and put a few drops of the polish on one end. Let it soak in and then wipe off the excess. Put that end of the strip under the pad in question, apply gentle pressure, and pull the strip out. This can be repeated a couple of times. I have been doing that with my Roo pads once or twice per year and it seems to be keeping them in top condition.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Wes
Date: 2015-08-29 08:34
Good advice, above. On my great Selmer basset horn, I used Ferree's double skin best quality pads and no sticking has occurred. Now, if I could only get an occasion to play it!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2015-08-30 22:19
Thanks for the feedback. For the moment I'm pinning my hopes on applying lighter fluid "con brio" based on Norman's comment, after some selective dismantling this weekend. If that doesn't work, I suspect the surest way is just to replace the offending pads, but may also experiment with furniture polish first as at that point there's nothing to lose.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
