 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DougR
Date: 2025-12-30 11:55
Hello all--can I get some expert opinion on repadding a vintage instrument with Kraus synthetic pads as opposed to using standard skin and cork pads? Is there a downside with Kraus pads? Asking out of ignorance since I have no experience with them. Thanks!
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Author: Jeana769Hadley
Date: 2025-12-30 14:01
Kraus synthetic pads offer consistency, durability, and resistance to humidity compared to traditional skin and cork pads, but some players feel they change the instrument’s tone or response slightly, and fitting them to vintage keywork can require extra care. They’re a good choice for stability and longevity, while natural pads remain preferred for preserving authentic vintage feel.
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Author: DougR
Date: 2025-12-30 17:33
Thanks, Jeana769Hadley. One question I forgot to ask: would Kraus pads be used on an older instrument to get the instrument to "speak" better (i.e., to address stuffiness or an overly dark tone)?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-12-30 19:57
Skin pads should be consigned to history as they're shite.
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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Author: DougR
Date: 2025-12-30 21:25
thanks, Chris, well I might be using the term "skin pads" wrong, but appreciate your input since I know you do a lot of work on older Selmers. I kind of was curious in light of discussions I've read with some restorers questioning the wisdom of using Straubinger pads on older (Louis Lot, Rive, even older Haynes) flutes, in terms of changing the character of the instrument in some detrimental way. thus my question about Kraus pads. So you'd be fine about using Kraus pads on e.g. a Selmer CT or an older R13?
thanks again for the responses, folks.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-12-30 23:48
Flutes are a different matter (as are flute players), but as for clarinets and oboes, skin pads are the worst and least durable pads of all types. Leather, cork and synthetic pads are far better when used in the right applications.
I tend to use a mix of cork and leather pads on CTs and synthetic pads on Buffets, Leblancs and Yamahas, with a couple of cork pads for the speaker key and LH1 ring key. I won't use Gore-Tex pads either as they're ridiculously expensive and only marginally better than skin pads.
I use cork pads throughout on piccolos, oboes, d'amores and cors.
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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