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Re: Cotton Swab Vs. Silk

Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-03-11 22:32

Definitely silk for oboes due to the fact silk will compress right down when bunched up and fit through the narrowest part of the bore right at the reed socket. I always drop the pullthrough weight in from the bell (holding the oboe upside down so the main part of the pullthrough runs over the lip of the bell to be sure it's unfolded properly) and pull it out from the reed socket during and after playing.

With the correct size silk pullthrough (don't use a cor one on oboe!) you can do the entire instrument while fully assembled (and with several passes as already mentioned), and dry the sockets on instruments with unlined sockets when you take it apart (with a piece of kitchen roll and NOT the pullthrough).

Never pull any pullthrough through too fast - always pull it through slowly enough to give the water time to be absorbed into the silk and also to see and catch any knots or bunching beforehand that could mean the pullthrough getting stuck in the top joint with embarrassing consequences.

Luckily I've so far never had any pullthroughs get stuck (both two piece cotton ones and silk ones with and without tails), but have seen many that have - either because of knots in the string or the pullthrough not being properly unfolded and pulled through too fast.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes

NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.

The opinions I express are my own.

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