Author: clarnibass
Date: 2021-05-15 14:45
There could be one or several problems, with the pads being too thick being the most likely.
Assuming these are stepped pads and that you installed them in the usual way - with the step over the pad cup rim - the thickness is determined by the felt. Stepped bladder pads are available in different thicknesses, but often it is only the back that is thinner, to fit thin pad cups. If the felt thickness is the same it will make no difference (other than needing even more glue to the fill the cup).
If there is a gap between the step and the cup rim, maybe there is too much glue? If the step is pushed against the rim and they all leak at the front, it really sounds like they are too thick. Alternatively, it is sometimes possible to align the keys to use these pads, but doing that in that direction is a little tricky. Even with special tools some clarinets have a poor design that won't allow it.
If alignment is ok, probably best to do what Chris suggested and use non-stepped pads. Unless some of the keys are misaligned in the front/back that non-stepped pads would try to seal to close to the edge (or worse). This is more likely on cheaper clarinets, but I've seen it on a few old pro Buffets, for example.
At worst case, add more glue and angle the pad. It will need a gap at the front and will look ugly, but if you have to use these pads then do whatever you need to make it work.
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The Clarinet BBoard
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