 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Rusty
Date: 2009-04-30 03:03
I know this sounds cheap but I`m trying to find a sustitute for the grease that comes in the miniscule little tubes and containers with the purchased clarinet.
I have a number of new clarinets, used by a group, that require a fair bit, and we are always short on the cork lubricant. I want something like 100g in a jar. Vaseline is unsuitable and gets everywhere.
Any other thoughts?
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2009-04-30 05:20
I've tried many and my favorites are the regular one (Doctor Slick) from Doctor and the synthetic type made by Alisyn. If you are using the tube then Doctor Slick is most comfortable and if you want a container (like the bigger ones from Doctor, etc.) then Alisyn is a bit easier because Doctor Slick cork grease is harder, so also harder to take out with your finger. Alisyn is pretty similar to a sort of thick creme and probably the least annoying on your fingers (but their small container is pretty lousy).
I don't like Doctor Syntek that Allan Segal above mentioned. Although (AFAIK) it is made with one of the same ingrediants as the Alisyn cork grease, it is not the same at all and IMO much too greasy. Another often recommended type that I don't like is Ultimax since it's too sticky. Any other type I've used (like Buffet, Vandoren, Selmer, no name ones, etc.) is also not as good.
You can get Doctor Slick from http://www.doctorsprod.com and the Alisyn from http://www.musicmedic.com
If you start using a good cork grease you will probably also find that you really don't need to use as much. Actually only very little is necessary, and not even so often. I have the biggest container from Dcotor and the Alisyn from MM and they seem to last forever.
Post Edited (2009-05-03 03:09)
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2009-04-30 18:49
I have a large 30g pot of Dr Slick in my workshop which is used on every instrument passing through my shop and after about 2 years I'm still not quite at the bottom so one of those should last you for years.
I actually do believe in regular greasing, but only need a microscopic amount unless you have had new corks fitted recently, one small tub in my personal instrument case has lasted for years.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2009-04-30 21:22
I agree with the above 2 posts.
"...I have a number of new clarinets, used by a group, that require a fair bit. ... Vaseline... gets everywhere."
IMO you must be using far too much, which is probably because you are using a sub-standard grease. Vaseline is indeed, quite unsuitable and damages cork and cork cement. What comes with most clarinets, including big name ones, is substandard. Clean the whole lot off with naphtha (lighter fluid) and start again.
I buy Alisyn in a 1 pound jar, but that is for reselling in much smaller quantities, in decent containers. Even as a repair tech, servicing and recorking many clarinets, I would use only about 15 ml per year. A 1 pound jar is probably enough for 50 instruments for at least 50 years - huge overkill for you.
http://www.aerospacelubricants.com/alisyn/musical-instruments/default.html
Go for Alisyn or Dr Slick. Use only when required, which is not often, and use a quantity about the size of a grain of rice. Rub in.
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Author: Rusty
Date: 2009-04-30 21:42
Gordon are you buying your Alysin and Dr Slick in NZ or are you importing them yourself? I`m in Aus and I`m not too keen on having to bring some in all the way from the US.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2009-05-01 04:22
You will find it is more practicle to buy several tubes and have one tube in each case than have one big container.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2009-05-02 10:42
I import Alisyn from the manufacturer. I use a little Dr Slick for my own purposes, which I imported from Doctors Products.
I'm not keen on selling internationally, but "across the ditch" may be OK. If you are interested in Alisyn, provide contact detail.
Post Edited (2009-05-02 21:40)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2009-05-02 17:40
You might consider cocoa butter since it's a non-petroleum product. Smells good too.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Ed
Date: 2009-05-02 19:02
I like either of the doctor's products greases. They work great and last a long time.
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Author: alanporter
Date: 2009-05-02 22:15
A mention was made of Vaseline above. I have another cork use for it. If your cork is worn and wobbly and you have a need to play before you can have it re-corked, coat it with Vaseline and rotate it slowly near a hot domestic iron. The heat will melt the Vaseline and drive it into the cork, thus making it swell a little. This fix is only temporary, but when needs must...........
Alan
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-05-03 15:25
I'm using La Tromba for years, it's the standard product sold here. Really good.
--
Ben
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Author: Chris J
Date: 2009-05-03 16:10
Ben
My La Tromba pot implies it is made in Switzerland so should be pretty widely available there.....
Tis a good product.
Chris
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Author: oliver sudden
Date: 2009-05-03 22:43
My little pot of La Tromba also came from Switzerland, with my bass chalumeau from Andreas Schöni.
All I knew so far was that it smells really nice. ![[right]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie8.gif)
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2009-05-07 07:07
"If your cork is worn and wobbly and you have a need to play before you can have it re-corked, coat it with Vaseline and rotate it slowly near a hot domestic iron. The heat will melt the Vaseline and drive it into the cork, thus making it swell a little. This fix is only temporary, but when needs must..........."
The same seems to work with or without the Vaseline (or any other grease, or water.)
Cork is a closed cell material, so I doubt that the grease serves much purpose other than to spread the heat a little. my guess is that the heat expands the air in those closed cells, restoring somewhat the original shape of those cells.
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Author: RobinEarle
Date: 2014-09-04 02:43
I have used a mixture of Vaseline and Beeswax (more beeswax then Vaseline). I have used it since 1966 and have had no problems. It is fairly solid, but rubbed well into the cork lubricates and maintains the cork. It is currently on sale in the UK on eBay.
robinearle22@gmail.com
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