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 Importance of leather pads on German system?
Author: Bill 
Date:   2025-07-20 21:19

Sort of considering purchase of a Uebel Oehler that has felt pads on top and synthetic pads on bottom. From everything I've learned, leather pads are needed on German system. Advice gratefully received.

Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)


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 Re: Importance of leather pads on German system?
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2025-07-21 01:13

Leather pads just happen to be traditional when it comes to German and Oehler systems as opposed to being necessary for how well they play, sound or respond. The important thing with any type of pad used is it has to be able to fully seal against the tonehole, is made of a durable material, retains its shape and doesn't stick.

And as leather is the nearest thing to the skin on your fingertips, it's seen as the ideal material to be used for pads, plus it's far more durable than goldbeaters' skin which is bovine intestinal membrane - the same thing as sausage skin and what gut strings are made from and definitely not fish skin or fish bladder.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010


Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist

Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes

NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.

The opinions I express are my own.

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 Re: Importance of leather pads on German system?
Author: Paul Aviles 
Date:   2025-07-21 02:14

So it depends on where you live and where you are selling it when done with it. My 100Cs had a wonderful Brannenization (cork on top, triple fish skin on the largest pads) that was in great shape when I went to sell it in Berlin. Of course they completely re-did the clarinet in all leather as soon as they got it. Does it play better that way? No. But it is what the German market demands.




...........Paul Aviles



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