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RE: Stick-on pads

Author: forest@woodwind.org
Date: 2002-04-28 14:36

Gordon,

I have no commercial interest in Valentino. I use them when I repair clarinets. If that represents commercial interest...that's it.

I also remove all keys in a pad overhaul...no matter which pad I use. When I replace a single pad...or a few...and if the orginal cement used is consistant with what I use, I don't remove the key unless I have to. In most cases it is unnecessary.

Shims...Valentino Greenback pad are a *dry* application. The use of carefully placed shims (as in flute pad installation) is a very practical and effective way to ensure a perfect seat.

All clarinets leak...by degree. My statement was to stress that the viton covering on a Valentino pad is a far better surface for creating a more perfect seal. This is easy to observe. Find the best (best seal) felt/cork padded clarinet you can find...find a well padded Valentino clarinet and compare. It takes about 32 seconds (only because you have to set one clarinet down and pick up the second) to make the observation and decision.

Is 10/1000 of an inch not a small enough change in pad size (thickness) increment? This is what you can currently count on from Valentino. For most applications I find this to be just fine.

If you decide on Greenback pads, you use a pad size that is "pressed" into the cup, this makes a solid contact between pad and key cup. If you use standard Valentino pads, you select a pad size that allows you to float the pad freely in the cup.

You know Gordon....you don't have to use greenbacks to get the benefit of the Valentino pad. You can buy standard Valentino pads and float everything. I use greenbacks without issue up to the 14 mm pad size. As I said before, at that point I do not have good luck keeping the pad in a stable position. I use the standard pad and float.

I understand your skepticism. If you're really interested, my advise to you is to try the pad. If you've never tryed a Valentino pad, don't you think it's pretty silly to say that "someday" the perfect synthetic pad will come around??? This "perfect" pad may be already be here and you don't even know it.

P.S.-I know many professional clarinet players using synthetic pads. If not on the entire clarinet....at least on the top key joint......much better seal and much quieter than cork.

F. Aten

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Stick-on pads new

music-grl

2002-04-26 03:14