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Bore Oil for wood clarinets?

Gandalfe

Striving to play the changes in a melodic way.
Staff member
Administrator
The experts seem split on whether bore oil for clarinets made of wood is a good thing or even necessary for wood instruments. Some say the only time to use bore oil is when a crack has developed and you want to stop the crack from growing before you get it into the shop.

One such conversation is on the Clarinet BBoard which talk about oiling keyworks. Another is on SOTW talking about oiling the instrument. Intuitively one would think some light oiling would protect a finish or a metal to metal interaction. Is anything more than that necessary?
 
Bore oil to stop a crack ?
most people want to keep their investment as well maintained as possible. If bore oil stops a crack, then won't it prevent a crack too ?

Here's a thread on how to prevent a crack
http://www.woodwindforum.com/forum/...vent-a-wooden-instrument-from-cracking.20893/

here's one on why they crack
http://woodwindforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=981

Here's a thread that talks a bit more about that. Yes, the experts all disagree but proof is in the putting, so to say.
http://www.woodwindforum.com/forum/...ironmental-effects-and-organic-bore-oil.20631

I have two 1955 R13s. One was easily blown out, dried out, tonally dead. fire kindle.
After an oiling treatment it brought it back to life. So how would this clarinet have held up through it's life if it was oiled over time ? Was it sold by the original owner because it got blown out ? I doubt anyone knows. but now it plays great.
 
I've always though using bore oil was a good idea, but my wife has NEVER used bore oil on her Signet -- we're talkin' since 1981 -- and hasn't had a problem.

And she moved from da midwest to AZ.
 
I oil twice yearly. Someone advised against the monthly oiling I used to do. Some said don't oil at all. I did a compromise.
 
I oil my wood instruments yearly, using sweet almond oil with the addition of 5% by volume of alcohol to assist with penetration. I use isopropyl alcohol, but only because I have it to hand. Other alcohol types would probably work as well. Maybe vodka.
 
I only use vodka after scuba diving. But I use water to rinse my dive equipment.....
 
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