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Re: Crack Prevention

Author: jhoyla
Date: 2010-11-21 07:03

Your ca. 1971 Marigaux is likely made of far denser wood than is used nowadays, and in all likelihood would not have cracked even without your oil treatment. compare the wood-grain of your instrument to that of a more recent instrument and you'll see what I mean.

I agree with you that extremes of temperature are a far more important factor than extremes of humidity. I think you could safely take a warm instrument into a sauna, but if you blow cold air onto a warm instrument - watch out! It could easily crack.

The reason for a metal reed-well are obvious - the wear and tear caused by continual insertion and removal of reeds would render the instrument unusable in a few years. I also find the metal tenon-joints to be a good thing, and when fitted correctly they will stay tight and not cause cracking.

The area most prone to cracking is the area of the trill-keys and LH 1st finger. In this region of the instrument the tone-holes and posts are packed tight together, the wood is relatively thick (compared to the bore) and this combination - when subjected to extremes or sudden changes of temperature - is more likely to cause cracking than any other.

What is the general opinion about humidifiers? I read somewhere that they are a primary cause of rusting (springs, screws etc.) and that they do not help the wood in any way.

J.

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Crack Prevention new

RobinDesHautbois

2010-11-18 10:31