 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2023-08-10 04:03
I found I was using cork grease quite frequently on my mouthpiece. After oiling the inside of the barrel tenon I think that I am not requiring so much cork grease.
This might be good to know if you play in orchestra and are switching a mouthpiece from Bb to A clarinet frequently.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: Paul Globus
Date: 2023-08-10 18:41
One should never put grease on the tenon (i.e. cork). One should always put grease into the mortise (i.e. the "hole" into which the cork is inserted). In this way, the corks last much, much longer. Another trick? Grease the mortise joints when you put your clarinet away as opposed to when you take it out. That way, you don't have to play with greasy fingers.
Paul Globus
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-08-10 22:08
Just to clarify two bits of standard woodwind terminology here:
Socket = female (ie. the hole into which the cork is inserted)
Tenon = male (ie. the bit on the end with the cork on it)
Why is cork grease called 'cork grease' if it's not designed to be used on cork? If it's for greasing the sockets, then it should either be called 'socket grease' or 'joint grease'.
Given the amount of players who slap a whole ton of cork grease on tenon corks, that's going to be an even bigger mess if they do the same when greasing the sockets.
The best thing to do is apply a high quality cork grease (and not that crappy lipstick-style stuff supplied with the majority of clarinets that soaks through the cork and destroys the adhesive) such as La Tromba which I'll constantly recommend as I know for a fact it's one of the best cork greases on the market, then regularly apply a small amount of it evenly to the tenon cork and that'll keep your tenon corks supple for many years.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Paul Globus
Date: 2023-08-10 22:38
Mr. Chris, you're getting caught up in terminology. Yes, the mortise could also be called the socket, and, yes, interpreted literally "cork grease" should only be used to "grease the corks."
My experience has been that greasing the sockets helps to preserve the corks longer since the grease -- any brand, regardless of the quality -- tends to leach into the corks, causing them to become unglued. I've tested this, as have a number of other players I know, and we all come to the conclusion: you get more life out of the corks if you apply the grease to the socket.
My other point is just valid, i.e. greasing the instrument when you put it away after a practice session or a performance as opposed to beforehand is a nice way to keep your fingers grease-free. Of course, you could always wash your hands after greasing the instrument but sometimes that's not an option.
Paul Globus
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-08-10 23:26
On woodwind instruments, sockets are always called sockets and not mortises as opposed to 'also' - that's woodworking terminology.
Woodwind joints - socket and tenon joint
Woodworking joints - mortise and tenon joint
I've had the same crook cork on my bari sax since the day it was bought back in 1990 and throughout that time, I've used La Tromba cork grease on it. The crook cork is still in excellent shape, still supple and still accepts several makes of moutnpieces except ones like Berg Larsen which have oversize shanks. Therefore I can confidently attest to the fact that La Tromba cork grease is far superior to many other brands. I don't grease the mouthpiece socket - I never have done, I grease the crook cork just as I grease clarinet and oboe tenon corks in the usual manner and just as i recommend others do the same.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Paul Globus
Date: 2023-08-11 01:31
You're right about mortise, it's a socket; I stand corrected.
As I wrote in my post, "my experience has been ..." Yours is obviously different. Fair enough.
Paul
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2023-08-11 10:02
When you repair instruments you see many more cases and can gather statistics...
So many people use anything from the best grease to random stuff and plain vaseline. Corks becoming unglued is not so common regardless (both peeling and "spinners").
99% of the time unglued corks do go hand in hand with those random/vaseline grease. More often than not it's also when using way too much of it.
I can't remember anyone who puts the grease only in the sockets and can't at the top of my head remember a single unglued cork that I installed and the person used not-too-much of a good grease. I can't remember it happening even for those who use too much. I try to explain not to put too much, show how much, etc. but it doesn't always stick (pun intended?).
There is a problem putting the grease only inside the sockets. The cork shrinks and expands and sort of "latches" onto the sockets walls. The first few millimeters of the cork would simply wipe off the grease and very little grease if any would actually make it to most of the corks. The grease is mainly to help with friction between the cork and the socket and this is a poor way of helping with that.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-08-11 17:16
I've got a set of Buffet Festival clarinets in for servicing complete with both peelers and spinners.
First thing to do is to machine the wavy tenon slots flat before fitting new tenon corks and the second thing is to supply the owner with complimentary tubs of La Tromba cork grease.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-08-12 17:15
If putting the instrument away for extended periods I'd most likely grease the tenon corks lightly and evenly before putting the instrument away, so the tenon corks won't dry out.
If you have tenon covers, then they'll keep the case clean, although they're not normally supplied with clarinets and are most commonly found on oboes, cors and d'amores. Bear in mind tenon covers SHOULDN'T be anywhere near as tight a fit as the tenons fit in their sockets, but should be a loose fit so they barely touch the tenon corks so the corks won't become compressed. I usually modify tight fitting tenon covers by opening them up and then fitting a plastic or wooden ring in the base that lightly grips onto the tenon ring to keep them in place
I'd only recommend wiping any excess cork grease from the tenon shoulders as it can accumulate there and become really thick - either use a cotton bud/Q-tip or an old reed as a scraper to remove this build-up. If you are using poor quality cork grease, then wiping the tenon corks clean after playing will go some way to preventing spinners and peelers as that cheapo stuff destroys tenon corks.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: graham
Date: 2023-08-12 18:23
La Tromba grease is showing online as being provided in tubs. Does it come in ‘lipstick’ containers? (They’re so much more convenient. )
Thanks
graham
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-08-12 20:49
I haven't tried La Tromba's lipstick-style cork grease and I can only assume it's a firmer version of their tried and tested formula.
The other lipstick-style cork grease I like is Doctor Slick (Doctor's Products) elm bark derived cork grease.
https://www.doctorsprod.com/product-page/doctor-slick-cork-grease
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2023-08-14 11:56
My intent with starting this thread was to draw attention to the barrel joint and how it was gumming up. The cork seemed more slippery than the socket.
My barrel is old and when I do oil it the main focus had been to oil the bore. When I ran my finger around the socket it was sticky.
After cleaning the socket and applying bore oil the cork area and socket moved more freely. It was a minor revelation to me that the two surfaces accepted cork grease differently.
Of course this is not of major importance in the scheme of things.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: Connor1700
Date: 2023-08-16 07:50
The e-bay posting for La Tromba "lipstick" cork grease states it's synthetic.
If I recall, La Tromba produces their F1 cork grease, the brownish color one which I believe is a proprietary formula of "natural" ingredients where the F2 is the white synthetic cork grease, with the F3 being the "lipstick" form.
I saw a video some time ago about how they make it, but I can't seem to find that video anymore.
IMHO, it's the best cork grease on the market.
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