 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: malmanzar
Date: 2023-07-14 23:47
Hello,
The Eb/Bb and C#/G# tone holes on my Bb clarinet frequently get "waterlogged", creating a gurgling sound when I play a Bb or G# in the clarion register. I went to get the clarinet serviced a few weeks ago and the repairperson lined the holes with some water-repelling substance which was effective initially but now the problem has returned. It has been suggested to me that replacing the problematic pads with cork pads would solve this. Would it?
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2023-07-15 04:02
No, I don't find that to be the case.
One simple thing you may try is to turn the clarinet slightly counter clockwise. That is, instead of lining up the reed with the register key (let's call that 6:00), line your reed up with 7:00. That made a difference for me on at least one horn. I hear that putting bore oil (or similar product) at the top of the bore side of the tone hole can help redirect the condensation.
If you want to try an experiment for the good of the Board :-)
you could try Ultra Ever-Dry on those pads (a multi-step, multi coating that makes whatever you put it on completely hydrophobic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvTkefJHfC0
It is expensive and I don't know if that effects the pad's ability to seal properly but as I said, it's for the good of the rest of us!
I would try this but I have enough success with 7:00.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Doug Leach
Date: 2023-07-15 06:00
>>It has been suggested to me that replacing the problematic pads with cork pads would solve this. Would it?<<
In my experience, no. My R13 has all cork pads on the upper joint, and I still have your problem. Cork pads for those keys however, would give you much better pad life for those tone holes though.
Doug
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Author: Slowoldman
Date: 2023-07-15 20:36
I agree with Paul and Doug that replacing the pads wouldn't solve the problem. The pads themselves aren't the problem here. It's water and gravity.
The best advice I can offer is: "Swab early, swab often!"
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-07-16 00:15
I've had some people complain that using non-porous pads such as cork and synthetics have caused more water problems for them. While gravity will cause the larger droplets of water that form to run to the lowest point of the instrument, water will still form and collect in the throat A, throat G# and also the open G toneholes (that's the one tucked in under the throat A touchpiece and NOT the thumb tube on Boehm systems) and they're on the top side of the bore.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2023-07-16 06:35
I haven't found keeping current with bore oil to be too helpful either. And what do you do for your Greenline when you get water in your key?
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-07-16 11:05
Oiling the bore won't make any difference as you're still at the mercy of surface tension and if anything, a well oiled bore will cause larger water droplets to form and run into toneholes. You ideally need something to break the surface tension so water will collect and run out instead of forming droplets. A weak detergent solution can do this, but at the detriment of the bore oil as detergent will break down oils.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Slowoldman
Date: 2023-07-16 19:59
Well, all this talk of surface tension is above my pay grade. It's still water in the bore that runs onto the pads.
For the sake of the OP, as far as practicality is concerned, if you can turn your playing position slightly, as Paul suggested, and/or swab frequently, hopefully you can minimize the problem.
I swab after warming up and after every piece; and during intermission, I blow out the upper joint and blot the side holes with a microfiber pad dryer. If you're generating condensation in the bore, it's just "the price of doing business".
FWIW.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2023-07-21 18:16
I doubt it. I've always has cork pads in the upper joints of my clarinet because they last so long if they are top quality and installed properly. The only way to prevent your problem, which used to be mine, is to swab out often, I mean often. Some players, like me and perhaps you too, play wet, that is have a lot of saliva when you play and there's nothing you can do about that, it's a natural thing. When I've given recitals I'd often have to swab after every piece and some times after a second movement. I've seen some players play an entire half concert and never have to swab, not me for sure. SWAB often, problem gone.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: JDack
Date: 2023-07-31 01:28
I read somewhere that if you drop a cotton thread down the length of the bore , held in by the mpc joint and hanging out the bell then it can help wick excess moisture out . I haven’t tried it but maybe it’s worth a shot if it’s getting too wet in there.
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Author: resetglobal
Date: 2023-07-31 11:51
Cork pads may help to alleviate a "waterlogging" issue in some cases, but it depends on the specific situation. If the problem is caused by water pooling under an object and causing it to become waterlogged, then cork pads may help by providing a barrier between the object and the surface it is sitting on. This can help to prevent water from accumulating and causing damage.
However, if the "waterlogging" issue is caused by a leak or other water damage, then cork pads are unlikely to be a solution. In this case, it's important to identify and fix the source of the water damage to prevent further issues.
Overall, cork pads can be a useful tool for preventing water damage in certain situations, but they are not a universal solution for all "waterlogging" issues. It's important to assess the specific situation and determine the best course of action based on the cause and extent of the water damage.
GMGlobalConnect
Post Edited (2023-07-31 11:52)
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