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Re: Needing thin pads

Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-02-28 22:51

If you're using stepped pads, then the thickness of the felt disc is critical - especially with Buffets as they require stepped pads with thin felt otherwise they won't close at the fronts.

You can use leather pads that fit within the pad cup and 3mm thick pads are suitable for most clarinets including Buffets. You can bulk them out with more shellac should you need to.

Some companies offer thinner leather pads for use on oboes if they're sat on a thick layer of shellac filling in the entire pad cup, effectively making them like a stepped pad but with a solid shellac backing.

With synthetic pads you can easily trim the backings down by sticking them onto a flat metal or plastic bar and slicing the backing off with a razor blade, then install the pads with hot glue as that will stick to them and the lower temperature needed to melt it won't distort them.

Unless key arms or pad cups have been bent out of shape or they simply weren't mounted well, you shouldn't need pads any thinner than 2.5mm thick. If you do, then look at the geometry of the keywork and alter it so you can use better thickness pads.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

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