 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-05-04 15:53
I've done a search and read some of the former threads concerning cleaning and sanitizing old mouthpieces, but really didn't find an answer. I have a vintage model that I've recently purchased on eBay and it is very clean, but really stinks and tastes bad--like old rubber or something. I've cleaned and washed it again and have soaked it in Ivory dish soap. It is quite an offensive thing.
You'd think with all the mouthpieces I've bought and sold over the years I would have had this problem before.
By the way--this is the Gale mouthpiece that I mentioned on the board a few weeks ago. I'm guessing it's about 35-40 years old.
It doesn't play exactly to my liking, so I was going to relist it on eBay, but won't do that if this problem can't be cleared up. I wouldn't want to leave anyone with a "bad taste" in their mouths.
Post Edited (2005-05-04 15:55)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Steve B.
Date: 2005-05-04 17:33
Unfortunately in my experience once old rubber starts to outgas or
de-vulcanize there's not much you can do to reverse the process. You can try something like cool mint Listerine, but that will likely only cover up the problem, and the alcohol in it could accelerate the breakdown. Perhaps the Doctor has some ideas on this.
Steve
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: The Doctor ★2017
Date: 2005-05-04 17:43
Brenda - the offending subsances are probably due to the sulphur in the form of hydrogen sulphide (rotten egg smell) and reduced sulphur compounds which have the characteristic musty, stinky odors and taste. These remain after every normal cleaning procedure that I have attempted short of removing surface material. One would have to chemically treat the surface to reduce (not in the chemical sense) these compounds. In the "turning the green mouthpiece black" experimentation that I recently researched I learned a lot about the chemistry of these mouthpiece sulphur compounds, their coloration and odor components. Unfortunately the reversal chemistry is tricky and without much development, not a DIY situation. If you send me the MP I'll fix it for you.
L. Omar Henderson
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-05-04 21:57
Doc,
That's such a generous offer. I really hate to bother you with it. But I do appreciate your kindness. I'll just put it on the shelf and chalk it up to a loss. Thank goodness I only paid $27.00 for it. Or, if you'd like to have it to experiment with I'll donate it to your research. If you find a cure it might be a good thing for all of us.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2005-05-05 00:17
Brenda - many of the brown - green mouthpieces that I experimented on had an evil odor before the chemical blackening process which was removed by the process. I must admit that I have a smelling panel (family) to tell me what things smell like because too many years in the synthetic chemistry business have all but ruined my own sense of smell.
L. Omar Henderson
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-05-05 13:40
I'll send it to you. It'll be interesting to know if it's something that is possible to fix. Out of all the vintage mouthpieces I've bought and sold over the years this is the first one with this odor. But, I'm certain it's something others have experienced with old mouthpieces because I've gotten lots of inquiries about "odor" whenever I've had a vintage one for sale. The discoloration is something I can live with.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob A
Date: 2005-05-05 22:10
Gee Brenda and Dr.
I play on an old hard rubber R.Malerne/Conn Bass clarinet and my playing stinks. Do you think I can blame it on the instrument??
Bob A
Post Edited (2005-05-06 03:21)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-05-06 19:14
Dip your head in some tipid water laced with Ivory dishwashing soap and you'll be fine.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2005-05-11 03:35
I've had success in this using Dr. Henderson's standard mouthpiece cleaning products, and just ordered more from him.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-05-11 15:44
Bob, no...not while playing--do you think I want you to ruin your clarinet?
Oh a serious note--The Doc has finished working on the mouthpiece and I should get it back in a day or two. He says it has passed the "stink test" and should be ready to play. I'll let you know. I think he used more substantial chemicals than his standard mouthpiece cleaning products. Maybe he's around and he'll disclose what he used.
Doc, you out there?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: The Doctor ★2017
Date: 2005-05-11 16:28
(Disclaimer - I do various things for hire but most things for free if it is an interesting project as in this case)
I have refined and improved the process for re-blackening the old green and brown hard rubber objects - MP's and clarinets. The process is now a semi-complicated and still not DIY procedure but one that most "compentent" technicians might use. The process also alters the sulphur related odor causing compounds - responsible for Brenda's MP distaste. I mailed the finished MP off to her with some pictures of the before and after that she may share if she wishes. I will let her determine if it is sufficiently deodorized to use. I have no doubts that under adverse conditions of sunlight and use that the color and odor may reappear over some extended time period because the sulphur will again migrate to the surface from the body of the MP. The chemicals and process are proprietary however and there is significant risk liability for ruining an antique object.
L. Omar Henderson
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-05-11 18:25
I'll make a full report when the mouthpiece arrives and I've had an opportunity to evaluate. I've seen the photos and they're quite remarkable. I'll share when I've tried the mouthpiece.
Thanks for all your generous effort, Omar. The clarinet community has a great friend in you.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-05-12 14:46
Attachment: BSGaleUntreated.jpg (32k)
Attachment: BSGaleTreated.ufo.jpg (59k)
I got the mouthpiece back yesterday afternoon. It is amazing how good it smells (no smell at all), and how great it looks. It absolutely looks like a brand new mouthpiece. I'm going to attach before and after photos, but you really can't tell how bad it was by the photo. It was much worse than it looks in the photo. Also, it has a nice, smooth tip and it's kind of hard to see that in the photo.
I haven't play-tested it yet--but at least that will now be possible. I couldn't stand to put it in my mouth before.
By the way, thanks again Doc! You're the man!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
