 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: reedfriendly
Date: 2017-12-20 07:08
I'm going to be overhauling an old Evette by Buffet bass clarinet soon and I'm in the process of choosing bass clarinet pads, which I don't currently stock for myself.
I've noticed most brand new models - Yamaha, Selmer, Buffet - come with a white leather pad standard. Are these house brands or is there a standard flagship pad?
I've looked into RooPads for bass clarinet, but one tech I spoke with mentioned concerns about the porosity of those pads. He recommended a Doeskin Leather option, but I can't remember exactly which brand/model etc.
Ultimately, I'm hoping to find a premium bass clarinet pad I can stock for home use. So please, fling your recommendations! Or dis-recommendations! I'm also aware of some premium leather soprano clarinet pads so... same thing.
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ALSO, this Evette bass is getting *really* weird. Some, but not all (!), of the lower stack tone holes have this... step pyramid... design? The tone hole edge is flate and wide, and drops down into another flat-sided recess *inside* of the tone hole. It's the weirdest thing I've ever seen. I will see if I can post some pictures here if I can figure out how to haha. But if anyone has dealt with/seen these before I'd love to hear how you approached them.
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2017-12-20 17:21
Don't fall for pad hype. First you need to decide what thickness you need. Thin sax pads (0.160") will work for some bass clarinets. Pads sold as generic bass clarinet pads are usually much thinner. I sometimes use synthetic pads for some of the smaller pad cups, but they can actually be trickier to install. Ferrees pads are from Italy and are airtight. MusicMedic pads may be a little too firm for easy installation and may not be airtight. Traditional pad leathers are fine as long as the pad surface is smooth.
Steve Ocone
Post Edited (2017-12-20 17:22)
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Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2017-12-20 19:40
Search online for white leather bassoon pads and you’ll find what you’re looking for...
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-12-20 22:14
2.5-3mm thick bassoon/contrabassoon pads are ideal for Buffet, Malerne, Leblanc and Yamaha basses. Selmer basses use (4mm thick) sax pads for the largest pads and regular thickness leather clarinet/bassoon pads elsewhere.
Although it's always a good idea to check the set* before ordering pads if the toneholes have been recut as they will require thicker pads. I found that out the hard way on an old Leblanc bass where all the toneholes on the lower joint were recut and required sax pads as bassoon pads were far too thin. Also whoever recut all the toneholes had gone too far as they broke through to the bore above and below the toneholes which was only made apparent using a leak light.
* The set being the point where the distance between the lower edge of the pad cup and tonehole crown is parallel, so the pad is showing equal amount of sidewall all the way round instead of sitting unevenly in the pad cup.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-12-21 01:00
Many bassoons aren't airtight either.
You can get bassoon pads that are made from waterproof and airtight treated leather - the days of having to put up with porous marshmallow bassoon pads is in the past.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2017-12-21 04:31
Aren't bassoon pads too soft? I've always used either thin sax pads or bass clarinet pads from Prestini.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-12-21 13:06
Not all bassoon pads are soft and porous - you have a choice now and can laugh in the face of tradition.
The ones used at Howarth (Glotin) are firm, airtight and perfect for use in bass clarinets. I used them on my Buffet bass when I had to replace several of the top joint ones and also use them in the large pad cups on soprano clarinets.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: jbutler ★2017
Date: 2017-12-22 04:56
Wish there was still a supplier for Glotin here in the US. I really liked their step bevel leather clarinet pad.
jbutler
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2017-12-22 09:01
IMO the best "leather" pads are the microfiber imitation leather pads from Music Center. Unfortunately there isn't enough interest in them so no suppliers stock them and Music Center only custom make them for a very high price. Too high to stock and have competitive prices. Maybe unless used only for the best instruments, also stocking leather pads, which means probably even more expensive stock and partially defeating the purpose of using them.
I verified with one supplier that the differences between their bassoon leather pads and clarinet leather pads were just the colour and thickness. So it depends on the maker.
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Author: Kalashnikirby
Date: 2017-12-22 22:28
Clarnibass, I've got the Pisoni Pads for a Buffet bass clarinet overhaul and yes, they're indeed great. I can confirm that they don't differ from the clarinet pads I've been using too, my only gripe with them is that the original pads on this particular model were even 4mm, though there don't seem to many suppliers even offering pads this thick anyways.
I've ordered them from this very nice repair/parts store, try this email: s.brauer@musicus2000.de
Surely he'll be able to respond you in English sending a large batch from GER to US shouldn't be too problematic and Mr. Brauer ist surely going to backorder the ones they don't stock if you order enough of them. They have no problem selling you smaller quantities either.
Music Center itself isn't really communicative...
Edit: if you're referring to another type of pad, there is as good as no supplier here in Europe to sell them and I'm sorry I misunderstood you.
Post Edited (2017-12-22 22:37)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-12-22 23:09
If it's 4mm thick pads you need, then you could use Pisoni Pro J sax pads without the hole through the middles (unless you want them with rivets or want to fit your own). They're made/supplied in both 4mm and 4.2mm thick.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2017-12-23 10:49
Kalashnikirby, are you talking about leather pads or microfiber imitation leather pads (which are not made of leather)?
In my post I was referring to the latter, which used to be sold regularly by Music Center (FKA Pisoni) and by one supplier, but are now only available as custom order from Music Center. Actually that supplier donated them all to a repair school because of lack of interest.
They are the same as the leather pads on the inside, it's just a different material. Unfortunately I haven't found a synthetic felt pad that I think is as good as real felt either. The several I've tried were all more springy.
BTW I'm not in the USA and usually order pads directly from Music Center or from other suppliers in Europe. I have pads from Music Medic, Precision and J.L. Smith (Valentino) too (and a few others).
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