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 RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: Annette Hill 
Date:   2002-09-27 18:26

MY DAUGHTER'S CLARINET WILL SOON BE IN NEED OF REPADDING. SHE HAS A R-13 WITH THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER PADS. I HVE NOTICED PEOPLE TALKING THE BENEFITS OF VALENTINO PADS AND GOR-TEX PADS AND TO PUT CORK ON SOME? CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN ANY DIFFERENCES AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS. THANK YOU!!!

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: Curt at MusicMedic 
Date:   2002-09-27 19:14

This should be an interesting thread as there are a lot of opinions.

I will start it out by saying this:
Cork on the top joint -will last a long time
Double Skin pads on the bottom joint -for less leaks

No Valentino pads anywhere. I have tried them with an open mind and just cannot stand them. Others may have diferent ideas about what type of pads to use where. I will be interested to see if anyone has a very possitive Valentino story.

Curt Altarac
Curt@MusicMedic.com

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: Mark Charette 
Date:   2002-09-27 20:48

Curt,
Do a search for Valentino. Forest Aten of the Dallas Opera has had much success.

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: Ken Shaw 
Date:   2002-09-27 22:13

Curt -

Tom Ridenour put Valentino pads on my instruments 20 years ago, using a special seating method he invented, and I'm still using them. They're not quite as tight as they were originally -- when I got them back from him, they would hold a vacuum indefinitely -- but they're still good.

Lots of repair people have looked cross-eyed at them, but they've worked for me.

Best regards.

Ken Shaw

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: Bob 
Date:   2002-09-27 22:28

I am an advanced clarinet player and an experienced but amateur
clarinet repairer. I have used self adhesive Valentino pads with no problem as well as conventional pads..with no problem. My opinion is that unless key pads require special adjusting due to key misalignment Valentinos are OK and because they are self-adhesive installation is easier and quicker. I believe that technicians in general develop their own preferred methods and if you trust the technician with your horn then you should trust his judgement about which pads to use.

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: d dow 
Date:   2002-09-27 22:45

i play solo clarinet in an orchestra and personally have found the sound of the Valentino pads not really what I looked for. however --they last a long time and on student instruments could be of great advantage.

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: Gordon (NZ) 
Date:   2002-09-28 05:21

The Valentinos come in at least two types. The older ones were almost universally condemned by repairers. The newer "Greenback" version has had a far better reception.

Unless I am confusing with another make of similar product, they are available both with self-adhesive and without. Most repairers prefer to use their own choice of adhesive. I have yet to encounter any self-adhesive anywhere that does not 'creep'.

If a pad is able to creep it will most likely finish up sealing well at the 'back' but not at the front.

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: Curt at MusicMedic 
Date:   2002-09-28 13:34

Ok folks,
You have me convinced. I am going to order a few dozen Valentino pads and give them another go. I really didn't expect anyone to argue about that part of my post. But apparently there is a group of folks who like the Valentino pads.


So, I will keep an open mind and try them again.

Take care,
Curt@MusicMedic.com

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: ron b 
Date:   2002-09-29 03:35

Allied Supply apparently thinks rather highly of the durability factor of Valentino pads. I would take Gordon's recommendation seriously if I were to install them and use regular (good ol' field tested) shellac adhesive. The self sticking stuff they use at the factory has a poor track record so far. Self sticking pads and cork notoriously get the creeps or just plain fall off. Ask your tech to glue 'em in the usual old fashioned way.

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: james 
Date:   2002-09-29 04:20

If they are for people in High School bands or amature bands I say whatever floats your boat. But I don't think they are very good when it comes to the demand of doing serious solo and orchestral work. Honestly there is only a small difference between good cork pads and good skin pads (like the ones made by brannens) it's all about how they are put in.

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: Mark Charette 
Date:   2002-09-29 04:37

james wrote:
>
> If they are for people in High School bands or amature
> bands I say whatever floats your boat. But I don't think they
> are very good when it comes to the demand of doing serious solo
> and orchestral work.

Then I guess those professionals who are using the Valentinos in their work should just take your "professional" advice and hang up their clarinets and go home, right? I mean, they're only making a living at playing ...

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: Gordon (NZ) 
Date:   2002-09-29 06:07

If anybody refers to the use of "Valentinos" I think they really need to qualify that by including which type of Valentino, and whether they are self adhesive or are using repairer-chosen glues. There are too many unknown parameters embedded in the term 'Valentino'.

I don't think there would be too many professional players using the old type of Valentino.

Another parameter that is significant is as follows:

On a bed mattress, if I lie right at the side I get less support (and tend to roll off) unless the mattress is made with extra edge support.

With a pad whose diameter is restricted to the INSIDE diameter of the key cup (including most cork pads), the pad can be sealing very close to its edge on some model instruments with largish diameter tone holes. If the key cup is not centred perfectly over the tone hole there are areas where sealing is precariously close to the edge of the pad where, like the mattress, there is less support. This has the potential for unreliable pad seating.

So whether (unstepped) Valentino-style pads are suitable can depend on the design of the instrument.

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: ron b 
Date:   2002-09-29 07:10

Gordon,

Thanks for the info about unstepped Valentino pads. I've never tried Valentinos so I didn't realize they weren't stepped. Or do they make different styles? (I'll have to get the catalog out again).

Just a couple of days ago I was visiting a tech friend who mentioned that some clarinets he'd repadded actually needed the area around the tone hole enlarged so a stepped pad would not rub the edge. He uses a super sharp tiny chisel to shave a small amount of material away from the edge because a straight (non-stepped) pad just doesn't cover the hole adequately on those instruments.

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: jbutler 
Date:   2002-09-29 12:17

All,

I did not like the Valentino pads that Pete sold early on. These would be the red ones. However, the new "Greenback" pad is a good product. I have installed them on "marching" or "outdoor" clarinets for players in this area. I haven't a single complaint yet and not returns. I agree that they should be floated on a bed of pad glue. I use "Georges' Glue" and have had great success.

jbutler

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: james 
Date:   2002-09-29 18:01

mark wrote:

"Then I guess those professionals who are using the Valentinos in their work should just take your "professional" advice and hang up their clarinets and go home, right? I mean, they're only making a living at playing ..."

First off I was just saying my own opinion on those pads. Second of all, who are you to criticize my opinion or anyone else's? Just because you are the webmaster doesn't mean you can just stop being polite.

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: Mark Charette 
Date:   2002-09-29 19:22

james wrote:
>
> mark wrote:
>
> "Then I guess those professionals who are using the Valentinos
> in their work should just take your "professional" advice and
> hang up their clarinets and go home, right? I mean, they're
> only making a living at playing ..."
>
> First off I was just saying my own opinion on those pads.

And what did you base your opinion on? The opinions of other people who haven't used them? Or have you actually installed them and used them?

> Second of all, who are you to criticize my opinion or anyone
> else's?

A baseless opinion is worth less than nothing. You're dead wrong in your surmise that only band clarinets and amateurs should use them, since some working professionals are doing just fine, thank you.

> Just because you are the webmaster doesn't mean you
> can just stop being polite.

Just because you didn't like the way I pointed out how your assumptions were not correct doesn't mean it was impolite. It was just pointed (or barbed - "whatever floats your boat").

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: Gordon (NZ) 
Date:   2002-09-29 23:10

Ronb, I have sometimes had to enlarge the area around tone holes too, usually when the manuvacturer has not made the key arm long enough! I carefully use a 3 or 4 mm "inverted cone" dental burr in a dental handpiece.

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: james 
Date:   2002-09-30 01:15

mark-

I have used those pads and i have even installed those pads on many clarinets. Weather it be by a professional or done by myself. I haven't liked those pads. That is my opinion and i have enough knowledge to say something about them. If i didn't, i wouldn't say anything at all... anyhow.. please tell me who actually uses those pads?

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: Wes 
Date:   2002-09-30 01:27

It has been said that Buffet pads the E11 clarinet with the Valentino pads since they own the company. They were on an E11 C clarinet I recently tried that played so well.

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: Mark Charette 
Date:   2002-09-30 02:28

james wrote:
>
> mark-
>
> I have used those pads and i have even installed those pads on
> many clarinets. Weather it be by a professional or done by
> myself. I haven't liked those pads. That is my opinion and i
> have enough knowledge to say something about them.

You have enough knowledge to say you don't like them. Not enough knowledge to go any farther than that.

> If i
> didn't, i wouldn't say anything at all... anyhow.. please tell
> me who actually uses those pads?

Lessee ... Forest Aten uses them extensively - he's repadded some of the local Dallas professionals' horns with them. I'll see if he'll provide names.

Albert Alphin and Clark Fobes both offer repads with them.

I know of a couple more people who make their living playing clarinet and use them. If I can get permission from them to use their names I'll report it here.

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: Clarence R. 
Date:   2002-09-30 02:55

I am a believer in Valentino Pads and wouldn't have bladder pads
on any of my clarinets. I also repair. I have noticed that the
people that tend to not like Valentino Pads are either the user
that doesn't know anything about the horn other than playing it and
the repairman that makes a living changing bladder or fish skin pads.



cgr

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: Bob 
Date:   2002-09-30 13:20

We often encounter comments and opinions here that are based on "old wives' tales", heresay and gossip. Much of the lore about what is or is not good in regards to clarinets, their care and repair falls into these categories. It is always refreshing to hear comments based on actual experience and fact.

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: Annette Hill 
Date:   2002-09-30 20:13

thank you for your information. my daughter does play in a youth symphony in Houston and does considerable solo work for her school.
thank you!!!

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: JMcAulay 
Date:   2002-09-30 20:25

Regarding Valentino pads, I would like to ask just one question, especially of three posters.

james advises: "...I don't think they are very good when it comes to the demand of doing serious solo and orchestral work." james also reports: "I haven't liked those pads."

Curt says: "I have tried them with an open mind and just cannot stand them."

d dow tells us: "i play solo clarinet in an orchestra and personally have found the sound of the Valentino pads not really what I looked for."

Why?

Regards,
John

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: Mark 
Date:   2002-10-23 13:50

What about cork pads? Where should they be used?
Mark

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 RE: RE-PADDING A CLARINET
Author: Alicia 
Date:   2003-01-12 19:34

I'm trying to find out where to purchase pads without spending $100.00. I've seen the e bay ads/links for a set of 12 assorted for $16.00. Not even sure what brand/type they are. I want to purchase a complete set, and what I've seen so far is really expensive 139.00. I don't think I've actually found the right links, please help me out here.

I have a couple of worn pads on one clarinet, and an old metal one I'm tinkering around with, and another old metal one that could use a few new pads (it plays ok, but isn't tight).

I'm short on funds and like to do mrs goodwrench.
thanks,
A

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