 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: paker
Date: 2012-03-24 00:21
I just bought a used clarinet. The previous owner bought it new in 2001, played 2 years, and kept in a closet. Should I oil the bore? Thanks.
Post Edited (2012-03-24 00:21)
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2012-03-24 00:28
paker wrote:
> I just bought a used clarinet. The previous owner bought it new
> in 2001, played 2 years, and kept in a closet. Should I oil the
> bore? Thanks.
>
Depends. If the bore is smooth and shiny it probably doesn't need to be oiled. If it looks dried out and rough then it couldn't hurt to lightly oil it. If you do end up oiling it make sure you don't get any oil on the pads.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-03-24 00:28
If you are in cold dry weather maybe. If it were me the answer would be no.
I'd break in the horn very slowly. 15 minutes twice a day and keep it dry after playing. As you break in the horn maybe add 5 to 10 minutes a day. I'd say within 3 weeks the horn will be fine.
Enjoy your new toy!
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Author: Joe Bloke
Date: 2012-03-24 00:31
Your question will probably draw a pretty even split between yes and no. Was me, since the instrument has been sitting for years, I take it straight to a good tech and let them tune the horn up and, make the call on: to oil or not to oil.
For what it's worth, I oil about every three to four months and use an oil (not petroleum based) from Doctor's Products.
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Author: paker
Date: 2012-03-24 03:03
I live in Florida, not dry cold weather.
The replies seem to indicate oiling is not a must. Bore looks shiny and clean. I will follow the break-in routine. Thanks.
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Author: mvjohnso
Date: 2012-03-24 04:18
I second Bob's comment. Breaking in a horn properly means so much more than the instant improvement you may get from oiling. If it looks dryer than a desert then maybe. But, otherwise give that horn a good careful break in. Then, after months or years oil it. Oiling is not a must but it can help later on, but the important part is a graduated break in to get the wood accustomed to vibration.
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Author: JHowell
Date: 2012-03-24 19:32
All depends on whether you believe in oiling at all. I don't, haven't oiled a clarinet in quite a long time. Some do. The matter of sitting for 10 years doesn't change whether you oil or not, but it does mean, as already mentioned, that you need to break the instrument in as though it were new.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-03-24 20:56
Bottom line, it really won't hurt it to oil the bore, can't possibility do any harm as long as you cover the closed pads so they don't get oil on them Though I'm generally not a big believer in oiling the bore it will not harm it, maybe it will do some good, maybe not. You live in Fla. so it doesn't get real cold there and probably never gets real dry. I wouldn't worry too much about breaking it in, especially since it's not new but it won't hurt to not play it for more than a half an hour each day for the first week. Every repairman I've ever heard has their own beliefs in how to break in a "new" clarinet. Three weeks, three months, ten minutes a day, thirty minutes a day and on and on an on. It's different in every climate. When I bought my Buffets years ago Bb,A and Eb, I just went and played them like they were years old. When I bought a new Selmer 4 years ago I did the half hour thing for the first few weeks and then just went for it. Everyone has their approach. Oil or don't, break in or not, just use commen sense. You should oil all the keys at the rod joints and even back out all the screws to make sure none of them are binding or rusty. Just back them out a bit and put them back in. Also, clean the register tube with a pipe cleaner to make sure it's clear of dust. The thumb key comes off very easily. ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2012-03-24 22:22
All of this assumes, of course, that it's a wood clarinet...
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Author: paker
Date: 2012-03-25 19:56
Thank you for more replies and advices. Yes, it is wood, Yamaha 34. Thanks again.
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