 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jeff
Date: 2005-11-14 23:07
Hi, I recently received a Pomarico Sapphire m from woodwind and brasswind. I love the mouthpiece but whenever I play it I get this strange taste in my mouth, it almost tastes "metallic". I was wondering if anyone else had this experience with Pomarico mouthpieces and if so do you have any remedies for it?
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Author: terry
Date: 2005-11-14 23:22
not a real hard issue.
I would submerge in Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2), which will remove all
but the distinctive glass tast. The Pomarico are crystal (glass) and take this treatment.
1929 matched A and Bb Herman Todt Clarinets, Chadash Mouthpiece, Fogietta reeds, http://sterkel.org/clarinet
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Author: Jeff
Date: 2005-11-14 23:29
Thank you terry, I will try what you said. I was on the verge of taking it back because this taste would last in my mouth for around the whole day, it was that bad!
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Author: Jeff
Date: 2005-11-15 01:04
Also one last question, my pomarico plays a tad bit flat on the throat tones and middle E,F. Is this due to me getting a more open facing than what I was used to? I used to play on a 5rvL(I play on a pomarico sapphire now for thoses who did not see it on my first post)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-11-15 16:51
A metallic taste from anything glass makes me think hydrofluoric acid. Based on that I'd try washing it in soapy water first. Not sure h202 will counteract whatever it is. I would bring it to the attention of the maker.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Jeff
Date: 2005-11-15 17:18
Whoa whoa, hydrofluoric acid?! Wouldn't that kill me over time?
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-11-15 18:42
HF?, Not quite, just burn worse than HCl [hydrochloric/ muriatic {impure} acid], however its very volatile and would disappear quickly. It is used to etch glass. Dilute hydrogen peroxide treatment followed by good-old soap and water should cure your metallic taste. Also try white vinega[dilute acetic acid]. I cant imagine what might cause a metallic taste ??
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-11-15 20:13
It's possible the taste is due to a cleaning or etching solution(HF?) that wasn't rinsed off adequately during manufacture of the mp. HF is the most common acid used on glass. Of course there are other possibilities but I am simply trying to convey that whatever it is is probably not something that should be introduced to one's mouth.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Shorthand
Date: 2005-11-16 04:58
Large HF burns are deadly because the flouride will poision you after being absorbed through the skin. There was an ER episode on this, but the effect is real. However, to achieve a burn, you'd really have to touch liquid Hydroflouric acid (or inhale Hydrogen Flouride gas - its a gas a room temp like HCl.)
http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic804.htm
If you aren't being burned, then there's no danger from it. After all, you put flouride in your mouth every day. There's no "over time" effect about it like inhaling cigarette smoke or alumina.
It shouldn't have a metalic taste, though, and does not cling to surfcaces, but instead I think its is a gas at room temperature like HCl (unless its dissolved in water.)
If you want to make assurance double sure, just soak the mouthpiece in a baking soda + Epsom salt solution for a few minutes. That will neutralize both the acid and the flouride.
A metallic taste is more likely from whatever salt they use to neutralize the HF after etching.
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2005-11-16 11:34
Jeff
I know first hand that Pomarico uses no acid or any other chemicals in the manufacture of their crystal mpc's. They are hand made using only water and diamond rocks. Many times the internet music sellers use a solution to sanitize their mouthpieces they've let people try. That may be what you're tasting. Crystal mpc's are the must hygenic of all since they don't absorb liquids and can be washed in soapy water or hydrogen peroxide without warping the face or tip. I've used Pomarico crystals for years and have never had a problem with taste or any other issue concerning health.
John Gibson
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-11-16 13:31
I agree with S H and John G, viewing our subjects as a Chem. Engr. My acquaintance with liquid [very high concentration] HF began about Christmas 1942, when, in my company's [Phillips Pet. Co] Borger, Texas Refinery, we Research and operating personnel started up the very first HF Alkylation plant. Using this strong and [yes] dangerous acid as catalyst to combine isobutane with the C4 monoolefins, we made trimethylpentanes [isoooctanes], for improving the octane number of aviation gasoline, allowing the use of higher compression aircraft engines [greater power]. This, plus work in making butadiene [for synthetic rubber mfgr.] and several other related processes represented my contributions toward fighting WW II. AH, those memories !! We older folk also recall the turmoil re: adding VERY small concentrations of NaF to drinking water, to decrease tooth cavity problems. Chemistry is great, keerect?? Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-11-16 15:41
Since John has first hand knowledge you can discard my theory. As an aside, the fact that anyone puts "fluoride" in their mouth every day does not have any relevance to HF acid.
Bob Draznik
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