 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: m1964
Date: 2026-05-22 05:41
Attachment: IMG_0638.jpeg (751k)
I am fixing a 1964 (I think) Leblanc LL.
I wonder if the register tube needs to be resealed due to the age.
On R13, its held by friction, not sure about this LL.
Removal the tube makes oiling the bore easier. Also, if the tube is resealed, there is less risk it will leak in the future, after the clarinet absorbs some moisture.
Thank you
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-05-22 15:30
They're threaded, so seal them with wax when you screw them back in. Heat it up, melt some wax on the threads and screw it back in while it's still warm.
It's always best remove them, clean and refit them as that makes sure they are sealed, plus makes it easier to clean and oil the bore while they're removed. Do the same with the thumb tube.
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: Chris P
Date: 2026-05-22 18:22
On plastic instruments with threaded speaker tubes and thumb bushes, refit them with some cork grease to seal them.
If they're push fit, there's no reason why you can't use contact adhesive or silicone sealant as that way you're not using any form of heat that could damage the plastic (especially ABS) and they can always be removed easily as and when.
To ensure a better seal, cut some shallow grooves around the tubes only where they're within the wall thickness for the glue or sealant to form O rings and also help secure the fittings to the hole going through the joint. You can do that with shellacked push fit parts too so they're less likely to get pinged out by accident.
Always make sure anything that fits onto the bodies of woodwind instruments can easily be removed when they need to instead of going for more permanent fit. For anything that's designed to be removed, then I recommend the following:
- Shellac for securing push fit metal fittings to wooden instruments
- Wax for sealing threaded fittings on wooden instruments
- Grease for sealing threaded fittings on plastic or ebonite instruments
- Contact adhesive for push fit parts on plastic or ebonite instruments
- Silicone sealant for push fit parts on plastic or ebonite instruments
On older Selmer Balanced Tones and others with the two part speaker tube, use wax to seal both the large diameter threaded cup as it's screwed into the joint and also to seal the push fit speaker tube.
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: m1964
Date: 2026-05-22 19:33
Chris,
Thanks a LOT for your help.
Do you know if the thumb tube is threaded in as well?
Thank you
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