The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sara
Date: 2001-08-09 02:46
I live in an area of Northern California where we get very hot and humid days (today we are up to 110 F with extreme humidity) in the summer. And are winters usually get down to 40 F. I never leave any of my instruments outside or in the car, but I am very worried about my new wood clarinet. I know I am suppose to oil it. I was told to take the moister thing out of a median bottle and leave it in the case to help with the humidity, but I am still worried about it. Is there anything else I should do for my clarinet or any of my other instruments?
Thank you,
Sara
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-08-09 03:56
who told you to oil your clarinet? I live in Oklahoma our highs get to 115 degrees and out lows to -20 degrees (below F). humidity is not high in Oklahoma either (too bad). Gnerally, I have NEVER oiled a clarinet unless the clarinet was being overhauled or I thought needed it (because it probbaly wasn't oiled at an interval, like when being overhauled). Some people oil all the time. DSFDF
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-08-09 03:57
don't get oil near your pads, or you will be UNhappy. best, mw
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Author: KevinS
Date: 2001-08-09 04:35
Definitely avoid oiling your new clarinet. If you go to this site, it will give you some information on what, in this respected technician's opinion, causes more cracks in wood clarinets than anything else: overoiling the wood!
http://www.woodwind-shop.com/clarinetcare.html
I would have to second mw's point that only at overhaul time should your horn be oiled, and preferably by a professional. Be sure to keep your humidity level as stable as possible, and avoid quick temperature extremes. It can be pretty frightening to watch your tenon rings fall off your brand new horn because the wood has contracted over the course of 2 or 3 days!
Good Luck!
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Author: William
Date: 2001-08-09 16:03
You could always nmove to Wisconsin where the temp range is from 87 and humid (today) to 25 below and dry (next Jan). All I have ever done with my clarinets is to swab them entirely after each gig (including the tendon and barrel joint)--never jused any bore oil and never had any of my thirteeen clainets (Selmers, Buffets, and LeBlancs) crack. Of course, I never played them cold and I am always careful to keep them at close to room temp, never allowing them out in the elements other than walking (or running) from place to place during extremely cold or hot conditions. Thank God (today, in Wisconsin) for AC!!!! Good Clarineting without bore oil.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-08-09 17:48
Good advice above, like in the music we play, its best to avoid the extremes. Lengthy storage in a car should be avoided. My two bits worth is that the greater threat re: cracking is in the cold seasons where the cl is cold outside and inside, and is played, warming it inside which stresses it. Also try to keep a reasonable humidity level 50-70% so rings dont loosen and make cracking easier. Don
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Author: Meri
Date: 2001-08-09 22:20
Gee, and I thought the 34-37 C (93-99 F) weather in S. Ontario was bad, but factoring the humidity, it's 44 C (112 F).
Meri
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Author: Tim2
Date: 2001-08-10 03:05
I'm in WI also, hot, humid lately and I have never oiled my horn in my lifetime. I was told a long time ago that you either oil your horn regularly or not at all. I never did. I figure the moisture it gets from playing is all it needs. After swabbing it goes back in the case and slowly dries in a closed case until the next day (hopefully) when I practice again.
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Author: Sara
Date: 2001-08-10 03:34
Thank you, I am very glad to hear I should not oil my clarinet. I have been scared to do it for fear of doing it wrong, I keep getting told I should do it. I am not going to worry about it now. I will not oil my clarinet or stress over it. Thanks again!
Sara
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Author: Wes
Date: 2001-08-10 15:50
Paul Laubin, who makes fine oboes, recommends the use of Lemon Pledge on oboe interiors and exteriors rather than oil. It doesn't seem to hurt the pads.
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