 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: knotty
Date: 2009-11-06 13:37
As I try to get familiar with clarinet parts, I see there are several makers of pads even some from Asia. Some vendors sell a pad set (17 pads) as high as $35, others about $12 a set.
So who makes the best quality pad?
Thanks, knotty
~ Musical Progress: None ~
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-11-07 19:57
I most often buy Pisoni aka Music Center, but recently in a whim I bought a set of Chinese pads for ~$6 from That Auction Site.
I must confessed that I was impressed - just the right thickness, accurate sizes, very firm felt. I'll have to find out how long they last, though.
You can't do much wrong with what's coming from MusicMedic, and if you don't like it I bet they have an open ear for your thoughts.
--
Ben
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2009-11-07 22:05
I didn't get pads from MusicMedic, but had a discussion with them about exactly which tool would work best for my needs. I found them to be quite willing to discuss my needs with me and have no doubt they would be just as open on the subject of pads.
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Author: knotty
Date: 2009-11-08 01:34
Thanks Arnoldstang for the JL Smith tip, interesting site. Yes, I've been getting most of my supplies from MusicMedic.
I recently ordered a pad set from saxmanjamie on the auction site and am pleased with what he sells.
I saw those Chinese pads on the auction site tictactux, think I'll order a set to try them out since I got three more refurbish specials on the auction site.
knotty
~ Musical Progress: None ~
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2009-11-08 04:58
There is a difference between a pad maker and a pad supplier.
Many of the pads from J.L. Smith are not made by them. They are a supplier of pads. Maybe the Valentino pads are made by them if they now own Valentino but I'm not sure if they do. Their pads such as Lucien Deluxe are made by Music Center in Italy, which makes a lot of the pads sold by suppliers in USA, Europe, etc. (e.g. most of the pads from Ferree's, Allied, Windcraft, etc.)
Most (maybe all?) the pads from Music Medic are made by Precision pads. At least I think that is the name of the maker. I can't find any websites directly about this factory, and almost no one other than Music Medic sells these. Though I have Precision pads from one other source too.
There are other makers too like Prestini, Chanu and at least several others.
Most makers also have several or even many different models. Some suppliers ask for diffrerent specs. I've tried many types and models and personally prefer pads by made by Music Center.
What I found with some Chinese bladder pads is that they seem ok at first sight but the single layer of skin is really thin and weak and it tears very fast.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2009-11-08 09:20
"What I found with some Chinese bladder pads is that they seem ok at first sight but the single layer of skin is really thin and weak and it tears very fast."
And extremely brittle. I have found it common for bladder pads on a Chinese instrument to start failing - splitting - within a few months.
I, too, favour Music Center pads, and often buy them direct from Italy.
I have been disappointed in bladder pads by Prestini and Hermes. I have found Chanu sax pads, as sometimes used on Selmer Paris instruments, to be also disappointing, especially in the felt &/or leather being of inconsistent thickness.
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Author: knotty
Date: 2009-11-08 17:31
OK, thank you. On my first refurb, I used Music Medic pads but on my newly acquired other three refurbs, I want to use some other brand just to try it out but since it's a bit of work changing pads, I'd rather use the longest lasting pads possible, it's my laziness factor.
Like most things I guess experience gained from having done it for a good while is the most valuable thing.
knotty
~ Musical Progress: None ~
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