 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Roger
Date: 2001-08-18 09:15
The instruction sheet with a new Buffet states that a new instrument should not be oiled ---- My question --- how long can a Clarinet be deamed to be new in relation to the question of oil?
Roger R.
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Author: William
Date: 2001-08-18 15:40
I have never oiled any of my nine wood clarinets--new, middle aged, or "elderly"--and none of them has ever cracked. It is most important to swab the bore of your clarinet after EVERY use--pull it through twice!!--to remove the leftover moisture. Use a "hankerchief" swab--they are more efficient. Also, wipe out your tendon sockets. All of these preventative measures are basic clarinet "tender-loving-care" and keep your instrument from cracking and smelling strange. They are also what clarinetists tend to be the last musicians to leave the stand--at least, those clarinetists that care enough about their instruments to clean them properly. Good Clarineting!!! (and, IMHO, no oil)
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Author: Roger
Date: 2001-08-19 00:00
Thanks William---My Buffet R13 Prestige is a little over a year old now and the Tec doing some adjustments for me is also unsure on the controversial question of oil.
I swab every 15 minutes or so and dry under the pads with cig. paper before placing in the case, but will now pay more attention to the tenons per your advice.The Tec showed me an article where the Clarinet was stripped and soaked in oil,as a rejuvination process--- I guess this is the other extreme--comments?
I have been told to put cork grease on the end grain of the sockets, is this accepted practise? The feedback from this board is most valuable to this 60 y/o returner who has only had plastic untill now. Roger R.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2001-08-19 05:37
There is a great deal of discussion on this issue in the Klarinet archives and the issue is quite controversial. Francois Kloc of Buffet suggests that a clarinet should be oiled only when it is visibly dry. He believes that oiling causes the grain to "move" (actually his description is much more colorful but I can't remember his specific words) and can actually promote cracking.
Another poster notes that African blackwood is extremely dense and that oil does not penetrate the way it does softer woods. This is countered by a claim that (infrared? ultraviolet? I'm going from long-term memory here) photos show that oil does indeed penetrate blackwood to significant depth.
Another school of thought argues that the issue is not for the oil to penetrate the wood but rather to create a "seal" on the surface that keeps condensation from penetrating. This belief, held by some clarinetists who also do considerable woodworking, leads them to the conclusion that one should oil a clarinet regularly and fairly frequently.
As I recall, Buffet claims to have impregnated their wood with oil under pressure, making oiling unnecessary for a new instrument. I seem to remember Francois' being asked the question you are asking and suggesting that it should not be necessary to oil a new Buffet for at least a year or two. BTW, he says that when he does oil, he uses a drop on a feather -- that's how light he believes it should be.
In his book, the Clarinet, Jack Brymer states his belief that most clarinetists oil too often. The danger is that, if one is not extremely careful (read wrap the pads in Saran Wrap before you start or take all the keys off the instrument), one can get oil on the pads, shortening their life. Because, except in the cases of badly (abused) dried out instruments, it's not clear that oiling does that much good, he believes that oiling (by an amateur) is more likely to cause harm to the pads than good to the wood. He recommends oiling no more than once per year.
And so it goes. If you search the archive one "bore" and "oiling," you will probably unearth much of the discussion as well as considerable discussion regarding which oil to use. Be prepared to generate quite a few hits, however. You pay your money and you take your choice.
FWIW, I am pretty much of the same mind as Willie. While I've never been convinced that oiling does any harm (as long as one takes care to protect the pads), I've never really observed much benefit. I generally don't oil unless I have completely disassembled the instrument for some other purpose, then I will use oil in the cleaning process. But that's just what works for me.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Forest Aten
Date: 2001-08-20 00:22
Well said...
Francois generally....(almost always) says "do not oil the bore".
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-08-20 02:40
OIl when being overhauled, and only then by a Professional repairperson who knows the proper oil which should be utilized. best, mw
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-08-20 14:17
My personal preference (based on nothing in particular) is to oil wood instruments about once a year. In 25+ years of playing, I've never had a crack develop (except for my own head......)
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