The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Earl
Date: 2009-02-26 23:52
OK there is so much info on this topic I would like to try to sort it out so that I can reduce the posibility of having my wonderful old Clarinet crack.
Please contact me off-line.
Earl
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Author: challey
Date: 2009-02-27 02:16
I am going to say at the outset that there is no one consistent reason clarinets crack. I have heard people cite: 1. Radical temperature changes;
2. Long-term low humidity; 3. Collision; 4. Wood as lathed.
Traditional care is important to some of us. I oil the bore of my LeBlanc Symphonie Model about 3 times a year. I think one of the benefits is moisture (saliva) control. Swabbing is easier. I try to rub the outside of the instrument once yearly - always with a good grade of oil (bore oil or light mineral oil).
Fortunately (I think for my horn) I don't live in a cold dry area. I think extremes of heat and cold should be avoided.
I think it is important to remember that cracks don't signify the end of an instruments usefulness. Banding and/or pining by a competent conservator (repairman) can extend the playing life of many cracked instruments.
Good luck in managing to avoid cracks or deal with cracks!
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-02-27 02:29
For what it's worth, you don't hear of very many old clarinets cracking. Seems that most of the time if one is going to crack, it does it during its first few years of use.
Karl
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2009-02-27 10:25
I tried to collect data on this BBoard about a year or so ago.
I got emails from only about 10 people (about 40 clarinets)- not enough for good statistics.
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Author: Earl
Date: 2009-02-27 18:10
Sky
I am seeing that now. I also found out from Mark Charette that data collection in the BB is a no no. My post was edited to an acceptable form. I am getting some good input though. I should be able to make an informed decision on the oil or not to oil issue and get some good advice too.
Earl
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