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Re: Hakamdinwinds

Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-08-16 00:58

"Any explanation on why they'd split?"

Sockets on all wooden instruments need to be supported by a socket ring to counteract the pressure from within from the tenon cork. Without any reinforcement, the sockets are likely to crack at the weakest point which is along the natural grain lines of the wood.

You can't guarantee any ringless socket won't crack as they're far more likely to crack compared to sockets fitted with a socket ring. It doesn't matter how thick the wood is as the natural weak spots in any piece of wood are along the grain lines. Just because some ringless sockets are made with thicker rings which are purely cosmetic, that still doesn't prevent them from cracking if subjected to stresses from within.

You'd have to have the tenon corks sanded down and the tenons or the sockets refitted to ensure the sockets will fit easily and still feel secure, but they will be a relatively loose fit compared to what you can get away with sockets supported by socket rings where tenons should fit as close as possible without wobbling and the tenon cork both seals and holds the joints together securely.

If you like the look of ringless sockets and desire ringless barrels and bells, then it's entirely at your own risk. If you want added security, then you can always have the sockets carbon fibre banded to give them the strength they lack and still retain the profile of ringless sockets, but the banding will most likely be visible depending on how well it can be hidden with filler or left more conspicuous and called a feature.

There you go.

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

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