The Oboe BBoard
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Author: HautboisJJ
Date: 2012-12-24 02:30
Recently received an oboe from a student that has mold on it. It was a substantial amount but a damp cloth and a day's drying was all it took to remove any hint of mold ever appearing on the oboe. But, i know it is going to come back if i don't apply something deadly on it, ha! I heard alcohol is not good for wood. Any suggestions? A chemical bath does not seem to be in my options at the moment... and i don't want to feed my student fungi. Merry Christmas!
Regards,
Howard
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2012-12-24 04:56
NO, don't use alcohol.
Mold does NOT equal bacteria, you fight it differently.
Dishsoap + bleach will kill most molds, but you must mix with warm water and then dry thoroughly. I do not know what this might do to pads, and of course you'll want to rinse the bore carefully (i.e. not too much water). You would need to treat the inside of the mechanism as well, and the only way I know to do that would be to dissemble the instrument and do it in stages. The instrument must be thoroughly dry before you return it to the case, and the case should probably be treated as well.
Peter Hurd might be able to give you different and/or better advice.
You did not mention if the oboe was wood or plastic; it might make a difference. The plastic should cope well with the above recipe.
mary, RN
GoodWinds
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-12-24 13:41
Give the case a good airing and treat with some kind of antifungal agent - chances are the case lining has become damp and mould has formed there and spread to the instrument.
Let the case dry fully and use a vacuum cleaner with the nozzle and also brush attachment to give the fabric a good clean as well.
The oboe itself is best stripped down completely (but not removing the pads or key corks), cleaned up and left for a few days before assembling. Basically it will have to be serviced.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2012-12-24 13:43)
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Author: RobinDesHautbois
Date: 2013-01-01 20:07
Heckelmaniac would tell you to outright kill the infestation with lots of rubbing with either alcohol or hydrogen peroxyde.
There should not be any adverse affect on the wood, certainly less than letting the "biology experiment" continue.
Robin Tropper
M.A.Sc., B.Mus., B.Ed.
http://RobinDesHautbois.blogspot.ca/music
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