 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: mberkowski
Date: 2019-11-10 05:13
My Loree oboe's reed well is on the wider side compared to other instruments I've owned and I find some of my natural cork staples are really loose in it. Now that the weather is drying I just had one actually leak from the reed well.
Can anything be done to rejuvenate the cork so it fits a little more tightly? I've wrapped a couple of turns of teflon plumbing tape on one and that stops the leak but it's messy. Soaking the cork didn't make an appreciable difference. These staples are relatively new and the nickel-silver is in fine condition so I'd rather not discard them.
Michael
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Author: oboist2
Date: 2019-11-11 00:54
You cold swell the cork under a gentle flame. I have done that in the past, but generally use Loree staples and dont have that problem with my current instrument.
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Author: gohpeds
Date: 2019-11-11 01:45
Dip the cork in very hot water. Just out of boiling. Maybe 5 seconds total and let them dry otherwise they will compress again soon. Don't dip them too long, you will ruin the cork.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2019-11-11 10:10
Wrap it in PTFE tape.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: mberkowski
Date: 2019-11-11 20:22
I have been using PTFE tape but dislike it because it frays or bunches up too easily. I'll try hot water first today, followed by open flame if that doesn't do it.
I should probably designate certain staples to certain oboes - my backup/outdoor Selmer 104b has a tiny and tight reed well, and was likely responsible for compressing these staples beyond the Loree's tolerance.
Michael
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Author: Hotboy
Date: 2019-11-11 20:49
I recommend that you take your Loree to a competent repairman and have a replacement reed well installed. It's a pretty simple job and not too expensive, then you won't have all this foofaraw to worry about...
There are plenty of distractions and hurdles to playing oboe...having to monkey with reed corks shouldn't be one of them.
Dane
Bay Area, California
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2019-11-11 23:24
I also have a Selmer USA oboe (Signet Soloist 104) and the reed socket on that is much narrower than other oboes and that definitely compresses the staple corks more than it ought to and makes Legere reeds very difficult to remove.
Instead of mucking around with your Loree's reed socket, you're better off and much safer in having your Selmer oboe's reed socket removed and reamed out to the same diameter as your Loree.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: oboist2
Date: 2019-11-12 00:44
I second what Chris P said. in his last posting. Do not muck around with the Loree reed socket. You know that the Selmer's is smaller and is likely the cause of your staple woes. It is also no where as good as your Loree, so it makes sense to work on thye solution of adjusting the Selmer reed socket.
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Author: mberkowski
Date: 2019-11-12 03:13
Soaking the cork in near-boiling water for about 20 seconds worked perfectly, restoring an ideal fit in the Loree.
I am definitely not interested in undertaking modification of either instrument, especially since I play the Selmer infrequently. I have a stash of generic brass staples with the spongy synthetic cork which I'll probably designate for that oboe, as its sound isn't really nuanced enough that better staples make a difference.
Thanks for your replies.
Michael
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Author: steve1221
Date: 2019-11-15 08:58
depending on how loose it is - if you slip a section of wire - shrink wrap over it if you want - you might be able to make it last - if it is too tight - remove more cork then shrink wrap -
Or you can try to use those staples with the rubber "O" rings on it
Post Edited (2019-11-15 09:04)
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Author: tgenns
Date: 2019-11-29 06:45
Here are a couple more options when you are using two oboes with different size reed wells:
1) Tear off a piece of cigarette paper the size you want and wrap it around the cork of the tube. You can seal it with saliva or fingernail polish on the outer edge.
2) Put some fingernail polish inside the reed well that is larger. This works very well and lasts quite a long time before it wears off. And, you do not need to modify the cork to fit into the larger reed well.
I have done both of the above and found that they both work well, but I prefer #2 since you can use the reed "as is" for both oboes.
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