 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: April
Date: 2003-01-06 18:42
Hi there. I FINALLY got my $50 Vito starter clarinet yesterday. It is in wonderful condition so, I'm sure I got a great deal! One concern however, the clarinet is dirty. The keys have some dusty film in the keys. It doesn't seem to affect the function of the keys but it looks bad. I'm a clean freak so it is driving me nuts. Any quick and easy ideas I can do at home. Also, I asked previously about sanitizing the mouthpiece. Someone (sorry I can't remember) replied suggesting soaking it in hydrogen peroxide. Do I also let the cork sit in the peroxide or should I keep that part of the mouthpiece dry? Thanks in advance.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2003-01-06 22:05
You might be happily surprised, April, at what a polishing cloth can do for musty, dusty looking keys If it's not too bad, a clean cotton sock works pretty well too. Since the horn's working well, I would advise Not taking anything apart.
There've been several threads recently about key cleaning. Just go back a over a few pages(previous postings). If there's other grubby stuff you want to do away with, from under and around keys, etc., I'd suggest a Q-Tip. Something soft but firm like that is not likely to damage the pads; just be careful around them. Try to avoid snagging springs and such. Just wipe away the dust and surface grime that tends to collect under and between keys then polish the easy to get to, outer parts.
Vitos in good condition, in my opinion, are pretty nice instruments and $50 Vitos in good condition are excellent instruments))
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Author: Simon
Date: 2003-01-06 22:23
April,
Don't let the cork sit in the peroxide, just wipe it clean . You should apply cork grease. This will help rejuvenate the cork.
As a matter of fact you should apply cork grease to all the cork on your horn.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2003-01-07 00:42
April,
Purists may cringe but I have sanitized alot of mouthpieces in hydrogen peroxide over the years. I have never worried about keeping the cork dry during the process (it is, after all used by fisherman and as a stopper in wine bottles) and I've never had a problem -- even when I forgot about the mouthpiece and left it soaking overnight. Maybe if I forgot about it for 10 years, there would be a problem ....
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Willie
Date: 2003-01-07 03:32
Just don't use HOT water to wash or rinse the mouthpiece. You can warp it to the point of being useless.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-01-07 20:37
If you only paid $50 why not lash out a little more and have a professional service done?
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