The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Richie
Date: 2016-07-24 23:41
So I just recently got my R13 and I was checking for leaks in the pads. I used floral tape, which I realize now wasn't the best idea since it has a very small amount of adhesive on it. Some of it must of rubbed off on the pad and now it makes a sticky sound every time I press the key down. The key doesn't have any trouble moving, it just makes a small sound which annoys me. I've tried a dollar bill and a Q tip to see if I can get off the adhesive but no luck. Any ideas? Or should I just take it to a shop?
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2016-07-25 00:56
You should be able to use a small amount of dish washing liquid (I prefer Dawn) with some warm water to gently rub the pad clean (of course this is with the key off the horn of course). Then just let it dry and it should be fine. I occasionally do this anyway because the side keys get some gunk that will build up after awhile.
If the adhesive stubbornly resists a good cleaning, then replacing the pad is not a big deal.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: kdk
Date: 2016-07-25 02:02
The techs I've watched use a wedge of either cigarette paper or thin foil to test for even seating.
Karl
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Author: Richie
Date: 2016-07-25 02:39
Thanks for the help, I'm a little too paranoid to take the key off, because I've never done it before. Also I do not seem to have cigar paper of thin enough foil around the house. I was going to take it to a repair shop to fix another key that was leaking, so I'll just see if they can fix this problem too.
Richie
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Author: kdk
Date: 2016-07-25 06:36
You should pick up a couple of packages of cigarette paper (not cigar paper - I think they wrap cigars with tobacco leaves). It's good for blotting water that accumulates in a tone hole and starts gurgling. The you can take one piece out of the package, cut it to a long, almost pointy shape and use it as a feeler to test pad seating. Carry the pack in your clarinet case for when you need to blot a tone hole (unless you are an American student in grades K-12, in which case you may be accused of possessing drug paraphernalia).
Yamaha (maybe other music instrument companies) sells a pack of similar paper marketed specifically for woodwind players (which may avoid the paraphernalia charge at school), but I think those papers are larger and more expensive than generic cigarette paper bought from a tobacco shop.
Karl
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Author: Matt74
Date: 2016-07-28 01:48
Techs use mylar balloon or special shim material to test for leaks, cut in a thin strip and attached to a wood stick.
Since the pad will be ruined anyhow if you don't get the junk off, you can try anything. Alcohol or Mineral Spirits - with a cue tip or clean rag. If you take the key off you can try using the adhesive on another piece of floral tape to CAREFULLY lift the adhesive off of the pad. (Try sticking the sticky part of the tape on your hand or a piece of paper first to make it less sticky.) If you are comfortable taking the key off you could try just rubbing it gently with your finger or fingernail to see if the adhesive "rolls off" that way.
I would start with gently using Alcohol and a cue tip (a clean rag draped over a popsicle stick would also work. The thing is that you don't want to "scrub" it. That could tear it and could also grind the adhesive into the pad. If you use a solvent, only use a little, it could damage the pad. Try not to get any in the bore. Alcohol evaporates entirely, mineral spirits will leave a residue. It might dry the pad or reduce it's life, but it's messed up anyhow. It shouldn't cost much to have it replaced at a shop.
For anyone with a plastic/resin clarinet DO NOT use alcohol. When alcohol gets on the plastic it makes it brittle.
- Matthew Simington
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Author: Richie
Date: 2016-07-28 03:31
Ok so I took it the shop, and they have fixed it, thanks for all the help though.
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