 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: wrowand
Date: 2010-05-09 23:57
I have a new oboe and there are a couple of notes that I need to lower. I've used beeswax in the past since it's a good semi-permanent filler material, but is there something longer lasting that's easy to work with and can be removed in the future.
Once at the Marigaux factory, I saw one of the technicians use gumlac (in a viscous liquid form) but I don't know where to buy that.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-05-10 08:17
Wax is probably the best substance to use as it can be shaped, added to or removed easily (although beeswax can be sticky). A much harder wax with a higher melting tempreature is better - the kind used on buffing wheels by cobblers.
With tuning, you want something that sets instantly instead of remaining liquid - so hard wax is probably the best stuff to use as you can check and alter it immediately after it's cooled down enough.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: mjfoboe
Date: 2010-05-10 11:04
Hi there,
I always had a repair person tune my instruments - so I am curious/interested in how one does it by oneself.
I guess lowering the notes is the safest since you are adding material rather than removing wood!!
It seems kind of complicated ....... if not risky if you are inexperienced and/or untrained.
I would be interested in hearing from others who self tune their oboes.
Mark
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-05-10 13:08
Use a heated steel rod to apply the molten wax to the inside of the tonehole until the note is flattened. Then use a twist drill to increase the diameter by degrees - by 0.1mm at a time (and this will also true up the tonehole making it round again). If you do happen to overdo it and have gone too sharp, you can still fill it back in with wax to bring the pitch down again.
When sharpening a note, again use twist drills in 0.1mm increments and enlarge the tonehole with them, only increasing by 0.1mm at a time until the note is in tune. If you do go too sharp, then fill it in with wax as mentioned above.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: bread
Date: 2010-05-11 02:40
My teacher has always used clear nail polish, hope that helps
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Author: jhoyla
Date: 2010-05-12 11:01
Hmm ..
"China Red" nail polish (Cooper)
Hard Wax (Chris)
Sounds like Sealing Wax would be just perfect. Anybody tried it?
J.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-05-12 11:55
Sealing wax is the same as stick shellac, and is too brittle for this application. You want something waxy (but not sticky) that can be worked on easily and shellac will tend to shatter and won't stick unless it's at a high temperature.
Hard wax will have a much lower melting point and will also stick better to the inside of the tonehole once molten. It can be removed by scraping with a wooden stick and then remainder cleaned off with solvents on a cotton bud - but don't use solvents on plastic instruments and be cautious when using hot wax on plastic instruments as the melting points of hard wax and some plastics are very similar.
My Series 9 A clarinet had some of the tonehole chimneys tuned with red sealing wax - it looked amateurish.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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