 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2017-02-08 01:16
Attachment: Bb_1898.jpg (61k)
Attachment: 1898.jpg (58k)
I've always used either skin pads, or a combination of cork/skin when redoing my old Albert system clarinets. Primarily, this is because I haven't had any leather pads handy, and I had always bought skin pads in bulk.
I ended up using a number of white Buescher saxophone pads (the small ones, without the snap holes in the middle) on one of my bass clarinets, and loved the results.
So - I know I'm about to face a re-pad of my primary instrument...a 1898 Albert...but there are a few issues:
1. The body is metal
2. Some of the tone holes are finished as you would expect on a wood/rubber/plastic body, but some are not seated at all - and just have a flush hole (see attached photos of "regular" finger holes. Some of the padded holes look similar. Cork seems to fit them just fine...but some would require a little larger pad than the normal cork pads I have.
I'm curious if using leather would cause any problems on a metal instrument. If not - should the leather be treated or untreated? White or brown? Kangaroo, or something else? If you use leather pads - what is your recommendation of where to obtain the pads (I've always gotten my equipment from Ferree's Tools in the past).
The lower F/E pads don't have a screw adjustment, and I always dread those two seatings. I was hoping that leather might give me a little more leeway...any thoughts on this?
Thanks,
Fuzzy
[EDIT: added "Thanks, Fuzzy"]
Post Edited (2017-02-08 01:19)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-02-08 03:53
Leather pads are used on saxes, so no reason why they shouldn't work on metal clarinets. Use whichever leather pads you feel comfortable with, As most metal clarinets don't have an articulated C#/G# key, there's a very low risk of using treated leather pads (with the plastic coated leather) on them as they'll offer the best seal.
As for colour, it's purely a matter of personal choice. I repadded a Couesnon metal clarinet at the end of last year and used a mixture of both cork and brown leather pads on that. White pads do look nice, but are prone to becoming stained or discoloured by the metal or by accidental contact with a polishing cloth. Solvent will clean white leather pads once the keys have been removed.
I've seen metal clarinets that were padded with skin pads and for whatever reason, the pads didn't last too well - either they were still the originals and no-one considered it worth repadding or the odd pad was changed but looked scruffy.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2017-02-08 04:29
Hi Chris -
Thanks for taking the time to respond. Not intending to post a commercial or anything like that - but I don't want to buy cheap pads. Do you have any recommendations on where I might obtain quality leather pads? Is one place as good as another?
Also - I've always bought stepped pads in the past. In looking at previous posts you've made - you suggested measuring the outside diameter of the pad cup, and subtracting 1mm to determine proper pad size. I've never had to worry much since I was using stepped pads (and I always used a size smaller than required) - but I know the leather will be less forgiving this way...so I just wanted to see what your thoughts were on it before I order in leather pads.
Thanks again!
Fuzzy
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2017-02-11 01:28
To the board in general: Sorry if my above response appeared directed only to Chris P - that was not my intention.
I'd like any suggestions you have pertaining to type, brand, whole sellers, etc of leather pads. Again, I'm not trying to bring advertisements onto the board, but rather become informed on which brands/makers have disappointed/impressed others here on the board so that I can come to a more informed decision before I place an order.
Thanks,
Fuzzy
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Author: jim lande
Date: 2017-02-11 08:49
Fuzzy: I've always used leather pads on metal clarinets. I started because the first couple that I repadded all started out with leather pads. I think you get a slightly softer tone with leather pads. One strong advantage of leather pads is that whatever type of bug sometimes gets into fish skin pads and excavates holes in the felt doesn't get into leather pads. You may not have a problem with case mites in your neck of the world but I know they get into my case because sometimes they munch on the tips of reeds. bleah.
I have one metal clarinet repadded entirely with cork. It is a double walled low pitch C albert made by Rampone. The guy who did the work needed small, odd size pads and decided to do the whole think in cork. From reading on this list, cork may last longer than anything other than rubber/synthetic pads. I think the sound is a little sharper.
There are people on this list far more qualified than I to opine on whether leather pads are easier to deal with. It may depend on what you are floating them with. I use low temp hot glue gun glue.
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2017-02-11 12:31
Hi Jim!
It's great to hear from you again - it has been a while! I actually traveled down to Texas and had pads custom made for me by a certain company you had recommended. The sad part is - I still haven't used those pads - as that restoration project has taken a back seat for several years now.
However, I do like the idea of leather pads, so I'm hoping to replace my skin pad inventory - and I know that is going to cost a fair bit of money...so I was hoping to get some input here on forum as to which pads to avoid, and which ones to choose from...because I trust the folks here on the board. However - if worse comes to worst, I guess I'll just making telephone calls to find a supplier, and start testing things out myself.
Thanks again for your response. It's great to see you!
Fuzzy
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