 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sdr
Date: 2017-01-14 23:45
I know it's metal on metal not cork, but the neck receiver socket on my Leblanc 400 bass clarinet is pretty snug. Is it OK to grease it?
-sdr
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2017-01-15 01:32
I use a bit of slide grease designed for trumpets and flutes. It's always a good idea to have a lubricant when metal on metal contact occurs.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Micke Isotalo ★2017
Date: 2017-01-15 02:28
Are both surfaces clean? If not, start with cleaning and see if that's enough for a smooth fit.
Micke Isotalo
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2017-01-15 03:36
I agree with Micke's idea.
The problem with grease is that it tends to attract dust and grit, which can score the joint surfaces and make assembly harder.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2017-01-15 11:06
Snug is good unless it's too snug... is it?
Clean first. Like others said, grease is usually not good on a metal bass clarinet or saxophone tenon (different for trumpets, etc.).
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-01-15 12:00
If you had a tuning slide on the crook itself (as on most pro basses except Leblanc), then that should be greased.
But a metal tenon fitting in a metal socket should be kept clean and not greased. So after playing, wipe both the tenon and socket clean so you don't get any mineral build-up on either part which makes them feel too tight in the long term.
The socket screw shouldn't be over torqued to lock the crook in place or to create the seal - provided the tenon fits well in the socket, you'll only need a quarter turn of the screw to secure it so it doesn't spin. The socket screw only clamps onto the tenon to lock it and the seal is the fit between the tenon and socket which is very critical. If the tenon is loose in the socket, get it fitted properly and don't over torque the screw as that will only do damage - at best the screw will break, but at worst the lugs on the socket can get broken off where they join and at the very worst the socket can succumb to metal fatigue.
I'm surprised at the amount of saxes I see with filthy crook tenons and sockets and the owners complain about them being difficult to assemble/remove. Then I give them a wipe down with a piece of old T-shirt and get them to try it and the lookon their face is priceless - that's all you need to do to maintain a good fit of both parts. The same applies to bass clarinets and flutes - keep the tenons and sockets clean and dryl
So keep a cotton cloth or an old T-shirt in with your bass to do this (and also to wipe any fingerprints off the plating).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2017-01-15 18:40
A drop of key oil will work well too but a little cork grease will work fine if you clean the neck and joint with a rag or kleenex every few time so it doesn't accumulate dust etc. A little dab will do you.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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