The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Grenadilla Dust in Old Clarinets ?

Author: Windy Dreamer
Date: 2018-11-05 17:57

Over the years I have bought several old clarinets with fine grenadilla dust in soçkets and toneholes. I assume that it is a product of previous owners playing them rarely and dry. Looking down the bore tubes you see uneven surfaces that do not reflect light well with heavy oil applied and the clarinets play muffled tones. So far this combination has only been seen on low value clarinets so I sanded out the center bores with 600 grit sandpaper mounted on sponge on a dowel. In each case I sanded until I achieved clean bright tones and a mirror smooth oiled surface in the bores.Very little material is removed by sanding . Micrometer measurements after sanding verify that the center bores ended up with the correct diameter after sanding so I do not believe I harmed them by sanding.
My recently acquired Jupiter Jcl-731 had a scattering of grenadilla dust in the toneholes under the pads. The center bores look rough even with application of excess oil. My drop cloth seems to bind a bit while pulling it through. Despite the appearance of things the horn sounds great

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics