 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bill
Date: 2025-07-20 21:19
Sort of considering purchase of a Uebel Oehler that has felt pads on top and synthetic pads on bottom. From everything I've learned, leather pads are needed on German system. Advice gratefully received.
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-07-21 01:13
Leather pads just happen to be traditional when it comes to German and Oehler systems as opposed to being necessary for how well they play, sound or respond. The important thing with any type of pad used is it has to be able to fully seal against the tonehole, is made of a durable material, retains its shape and doesn't stick.
And as leather is the nearest thing to the skin on your fingertips, it's seen as the ideal material to be used for pads, plus it's far more durable than goldbeaters' skin which is bovine intestinal membrane - the same thing as sausage skin and what gut strings are made from and definitely not fish skin or fish bladder.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2025-07-21 02:14
So it depends on where you live and where you are selling it when done with it. My 100Cs had a wonderful Brannenization (cork on top, triple fish skin on the largest pads) that was in great shape when I went to sell it in Berlin. Of course they completely re-did the clarinet in all leather as soon as they got it. Does it play better that way? No. But it is what the German market demands.
...........Paul Aviles
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Author: ruben
Date: 2025-07-21 12:51
Chris P: Do you think that the material used for making pads has no acoustic impact on tone? The former solo clarinetist of the Paris Opera has often told me that he would never use anything other than bladder pads, even though he has to have them replaced more often than cork, leather or synthetic-material ones (mind you, he doesn't have to pay for this.). This for reasons of quality of tone. I think this is an illusion, but...you never know.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-07-21 13:10
For one thing, there's no such thing as 'bladder' or 'fish skin' pads as I've already stated, regardless what the industry says (as there's a TON of myths in the industry that all need to be dispelt).
Some players feel cork pads make the sound too harsh or feel too firm and leather pads deaden things and feel too soft, but it's all down to the quality of the pads used and how porous they are.
I've been using Pisoni Pro CLS synthetic pads (hard delrin backing shell with a synthetic foam disc set into them) with the thin synthetic membrane on the surface which offers a smooth and uniform surface similar to both skin pads and treated leather pads. I've not had any complaints about them and they last incredibly well as I've seen year after year.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Reply To Message
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