 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-03-10 11:22
I got a friend's grandfather's clarinet to "look after", it's an F.G. Uebel Albert-System instrument, and of considerable sentimental value to her.
Now, the tenons are not corked but wound with brown thread, and they are wobbly so this issue must be addressed. Now, if you were to restore an antique instrument, would you go with what's contemporary good practice and cork them, or would you keep it in "period shape" and use thread instead?
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Ben
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2012-03-10 12:07
>> Now, if you were to restore an antique instrument, would you go with what's contemporary good practice and cork them, or would you keep it in "period shape" and use thread instead? <<
For me it wouldn't be so straight forward and there are some things to consider. It depends on the situation.
In the case of a tenon cork/thread, it is an invisible change (when assembled), it is easily reversable (I assume from your description that it doesn't require any change to the tenon itself) and it would have some advantages.
In that case I would recommend going with the better method, explain its advantages, that it's not how it was done originally on that instrument, that it can be changed back if needed (e.g. if someone else wanted to buy the instrument and make it original for whatever reason) and that it wouldn't damage the instrument in any way. Then it would be the choice of the owner.
In general, I would choose a "worse" (technically) method if the newer and better method would "devalue" the instrument somehow (e.g. a museum wants it completely original), or if the owner chooses this method while being aware of advantages and disadvantages of all options.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-03-10 12:47
I agree with 'clarnibass,' if the clarinet is being used at all, or being displayed (as in a museum) put together, there is no reason not to use cork. However, if the main purpose of this instrument is to display it in its most authentic condition, then you would probably not even want to touch the existing thread.
Here's an idea: make sure that you document the tenons with a thorough series of photographs before you change them out ..... if that' what you wind up doing.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-03-10 13:21
Thread binding will also strengthen the tenon.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2012-03-10 15:20
Is this a cork thread, thread cork, or a thread thread?
Laurie (he/him)
Post Edited (2012-03-12 03:50)
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Author: mvjohnso
Date: 2012-03-10 19:15
Not sure if this will help but I know one really good ghetto fix for a loose tenon cork is waxed dental floss. I both have used this in large quantities and small quantities in the past, I had a tenon cork come loose and with a few loops of dental floss it was fixed till I replaced it a year later; but, I also used it in more of the manner that you are describing with my altos neck cork, which was way to small for my mouth piece so it wobbled. I just added a layer or two of dental floss and it worked great (no more wobbles). So if you don't want to mess with it much but you don't want it to wobble, you can put some floss of that on there to help with the wobbliness. Or you could get a similar looking thread and wax it yourself if you want to keep it "period appropriate." However, there is a reason why cork is used instead of thread so you may want to consider changing it.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-03-10 19:25
The thread was yucky in places and worn in others, so it had to go.
Had a word with the owner and she said "cork".
This will probably be the thinnest (apart from my metal clarinet) tenon cork I've ever used, the tenon groove is very shallow - 1/32" cork is probably too thick already.
I'll keep the dental floss in mind...thanks for the hint.
--
Ben
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Author: MichaelW
Date: 2012-03-10 20:48
Attachment: Twine.jpg (100k)
I've done both in a number of older and not-so-old clarinets and sometimes found threading with thick polyester twine faster and easier to adjust than recorking. You don't need tools (except a knife to peel the old cork off) or glue. Michael
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2012-03-10 23:01
Whilst thread was traditionally used on really old instruments, especially those made of boxwood or other less strong varieties, I wonder whether a Uebel clarinet would actually be old enough to require thread rather than cork.
If thread is used it should really be waxed cotton thread as synthetic threads are harder and more abrasive which with repeated assembly can actually wear the wood of the socket and create even more "wobble"
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Author: BobD
Date: 2012-03-11 13:40
So,Ben, do you trust the owner's recommendation? Does the owner have any conception of the ifs, ands and buts of the procedures? Straight cotton thread without some polyester is not easy to find anymore. Do you really think that very thin cork will hold up? And, lastly, when you "recork" with thread you have to be much more exact with the thickness because thread has very little "give".
Bob Draznik
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-03-11 14:13
When I recorked my metal clarinet, I had to use 0.5mm cork, but it held up very well - provided you're a bit careful when assembling the instrument.
I wonder how waxed linen twine would perform...
--
Ben
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Author: kilo
Date: 2012-03-11 14:35
Waxed hemp twine is the choice of bagpipers and I've heard of it being used in lieu of cork on saxophone necks — let's just hope it has no influence on the sound.
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Author: MichaelW
Date: 2012-03-11 20:17
To use polyester thread wasn't my own idea. The antique "Carl Kruspe"- Clarinet on the photo (http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/download.html?1,2791/Twine.jpg) had been restored by a well-known Berlin specialist, I only added some turns of thread when by the time the fit of the tenon got a bit loose (so easy is that).
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