 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-04-22 22:39
On the great playing Buffet E11 C clarinet I looked at today, I saw a very well built wood clarinet with all plastic pads. It played well in tune with a sound of an expensive clarinet. The silver-plated mechanism was well fitted to the body. Does anyone have any comments on these plastic pads or does anyone have any idea how well they will will survive after a lot of use? Thanks a lot!
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Author: forest@woodwind.org
Date: 2002-04-22 23:13
Foam pads....with a viton covering. Valentino pads. Rico, a division of Boosey & Hawkes bought Valentino several years ago with the plan to migrate to these high quality pads. Pete Valentino has stayed with the company in the research and development role.
F. Aten
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-04-23 01:07
I've used them on a couple of E-11 overhauls for HS students in marching bands who don't want to take out their R-13's. Humidity and rain take their toll on bladder pads, so I tried them on the recommendation of F. Kloc. I guess they've held up okay since I haven't seen the two for almost a year now. I think they seem to brighten the tone a bit, but my ear is getting old and tired. I may have just imagined it.
jbutler
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-04-23 03:36
When he was selling them on his own, Pete Valentino guaranteed them for life, though I doubt many people would take the trouble to return a $1 pad for a refund. I have talked to him on the phone a few times. He's a very interesting guy. Because the pads have no "memory" they seat quite well (and easily) IMO. This makes them particularly useful for emergency repairs in the middle of a gig when there isn't a repair tech around. (They can be installed with or without glue.)
I knew Buffet was using them on the B10 model. I did not know they were being used on any others.
I used to buy them directly from Pete but the last time I called, even though he took my order, it sounded like he wanted to get out of the distribution business. If anyone knows someone who sells them in bulk to individuals, please post the information. Unless they have added them quite recently, Ferree's doesn't carry them -- though they are, IMO, far superior to the Norbeck synthetic pads that Ferree's sells.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: forest@woodwind.org
Date: 2002-04-23 12:29
RICO now owns and distributes Valentino....contact the sales dept.
F. Kloc uses the synthetic pad on more than just "student" instruments. I have seen him use Valentino pads on the clarinets of top professionals.
All of my instruments are padded with Valentino.
I do many custom overhauls each year and use Valentino pads on all. I tell my client to use the pads for 3 weeks and if you aren't happy, bring it back in and I'll replace them with double bladder and cork pads. I haven't had a single returned clarinet.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-04-23 14:28
I just looked at my Buffet E-11 C clarinet and am unable to tell if the pads are bladder or synthetic. The clarinet has performed wonderfully since I purchased it at IMS four years ago and I always supposed that the pads were of the usual type. My questions: 1) Is there an easy recognizable feature to these Valentino pads, 2) Are these Valentino pads superior to cork for the upper joints, and 3) How so they compare to the Gortex pad, and 4) What about cost compared to bladder and cork??? Just wondering....... Good Clarineting!!
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-04-23 15:41
I think that Valentino pads are fairly easy to distinguish from traditional pads. First of all, they are a very bright white and do not seem to discolor over time. Also, because they do not "rebound" like traditional pads (they have no memory), the crease or line around the pad where it contacts the edge of a tonehole is crisp and sharp.
Are they superior to cork for upper joints? Probably not but perhaps it depends on your criteria. Their surface is similar in nature to cork, i.e., smooth and not porous and they do not absorb moisture. They are, however, not as "hard" (dense?) as cork. I have had a couple that began to stick a little after a time (several months of fairly heavy use and a strong spring). For me, however, this has not been much of a problem. Their biggest advantage over cork, IMO, is that they are much easier to seat, particularly with a less than perfect tone hole. As far as sound is concerned, I can't tell much (if any) difference between them and cork. Perhaps as John B. has noted, they may give a little "brighter" sound than traditional pads. (I hope Dan Leeson isn't reading this.)
Having never seen a Gortex pad (too expensive for me), I can't really comment on how they compare. Perhaps someone else can. I think Pete Valentino may have told me one time that he considers them similar but my memory may be faulty (and Pete is quite a salesman for his pads).
As far as cost is concerned, they are more expensive than bladder or cork (at least what Ferree's sells) but not outrageous. The last time I bought some I think I paid around $10 a dozen. They are a little cheaper by the 100. They come in a variety of styles and thicknesses. The "greenbacks" (mostly what I have bought) are a little more expensive. (Valentino usually recommends them for the smaller keys but recommends his "regular" pads for the larger tone holes (at least for Buffets).
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: forest@woodwind.org
Date: 2002-04-24 04:41
Great post Jack.
I feel that the Valentino is a better application on the top joint in place of cork.
I find that these pads are very easy to seat compared to cork. I have to really spend time when doing a good job on cork pads.... With the Valentino I simply seat the pad in a clean pad cup and heat the surface of the pad with a hair dryer for a few seconds. Lightly (very lightly) press the pad onto the seat...and done. You do have to spend extra time to clean the pad cups the first time you replace the pad with the synthetic.
I love the fact that the Valentino pads have the smooth surface and waterproof qualities of cork...but are not so noisy.
F. Aten
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