Replaced all pads on a second-hand clarinet. and wolla no sound at all, so I followed your tip here and scorched the plastic body, but the pad sat perfectly. so I placed some aluminum foil under every key to stop melting the clarinet. and reset them, and music to my ears once more Thanks for your vid.

This video really helped me! I play Scottish flute (the older simple-system flute that's built like a clarinet), and it's hard to find repair techs who will work on my flute--even though it's like a clarinet. Your video was great because it clearly showed the flame technique for heating the pad cups--I was doing it incorrectly for fear of overheating the pads. I found that using a jetted burner like yours (or mine, a repurposed torch for making creme brulee) made a huge difference. Thanks!

"first you need some rolling papers, then you need a lighter..." jazz cats never change ;) in all seriousness though thanks for the great tutorial

I followed the instructions and it worked perfectly. I used the materials provided in a MusicMedic repair kit. I tried hard to eyeball the pad as uniformly flat and level all around as possible and no float in was required. Plays great. Excellent video. Thanks.

Thank you so much for making this! A pad suddenly fell loose in a key cup, and with no local repair shop or even simple tools, I was lost. After watching your video, I experimented with heating the key cup on the clarinet for an emergency fix and was able to melt the glue enough to get the pad to reseat.

Thanks for these videos! I'm learning a lot. Hint: many models of those cheap blue flame lighters have a little 'lock' switch, which will lock the gas ON so you can sit the lighter on a table.

Used the same instructions found here to replace a pad on my daughter's Oboe. Thank you for the help here. And it was fun to learn a new skill to add to my musical instrument repair belt. 👍

I use a small soldering iron used for spot soldering. No flame and pinpoint heat.

Hi William! Thanks for this tutorial. It was really useful for me. Although I had to introduce some variations regarding the basic tools, the video totally showed me a nice and simple picture of what is important to replace the pads of my clarinet.

Thanks. I've recently returned to playing music. Stopped playing clarinet after High School graduation in 1958. Got out my old Boosey & Hawkes Edgware and reconditioned it. Have now reworked two more and have 4 others in process. Various makes and models, but all old and inexpensive. Too bad I didn't see this video a few months ago - would have greatly reduced my learning curve.

Thanks. You can also use audio cassette tape as a seal checker... Regards Pat

Thanks for the video! I bought a cheap Bundy Resonite off Craigslist because I wanted to play again. The last time I played was 23 years ago in middle school!! Everything seals perfectly except the first large key at the bottom, which takes a ton of pressure to seal. Turns out it was leaking a bit on the inside "pad too thin". I'll get it repadded properly later, but for the moment, I slipped a bit of ELECTRICAL TAPE under it, and it seals a whole lot better now! Of course this isn't a permanent fix, but I can practice a whole lot easier! The notes that required that pad were really fighting back! Edit: Took the key off, melted the glue with a lighter, added some more hot glue and re-seated the pad. Seals PERFECTLY now. Also, one of the springs was a bit weak - I bent it a little to provide more sealing force. Works great now! Thanks for the info!

Just casually playing my clarinet when I make a weird sound with my E I was so confused till I saw a pad on the floor. I look at my clarinet and a pad was missing. Thanks for the help!

Thanks for this video. I was able to replace a pad on my daughter's new Goodwill clarinet.

thank you so much. one of the best videos on youtube.

@bobwas4066 I actually made the spring hook in 1978--from a piece of drill rod. I hand filed it and shaped it--and it has worked great. The screwdriver I bought about the same time. I"ve had others since, but it is still the best. I got it from Allied or Ferrees, but, again, using drill rod of the right diameter and flat files, etc, with a little patience you can make your own screwdriver. On the clarinet a long on like I have always works best. Hit the hardware store and use your imagination.

If my wife finds rolling papers and a lighter... She's not going to believe me. I better bookmark this vid.

Thanks, really helped clarify some things, as I was just learning as I went.

Thank you for posting this. Very appreciated !

Thank you for sharing this information. Great job. Steve

Thank you so much for your EXCELLENT teaching video...I just re-padded a cheap Selmer Bundy and on the top piece, I have 4 leaking pads..I used only one georges ball for each pad...may be my problem. The ones that are on the side are the ones not sealing...will try your fix tomorrow....I do a lot of personal car work on 3 street rods and your fingernails looked like they were manicured compared to mine...the finger nail comment below was not appreciated by me...your extreme helpfulness was.

This video is awesome, you're my friend for posting it, Thanks :)

small metal tongs would suck the heat off the key

0:58 you can buy zig zags at your local coner store just ask the cashier if you could buy a pack of "zig zags" and they will cost like a dollar or so for a pack.

Hi Mr. Ridenour, thank you for the video. Would you take the same approach to heating up the key cup on a wooden clarinet? Would this put the clarinet in danger of burning the wood? Thank you very much.

William is a great person who explains things very well. :-) I admire him.!!!.However please don't use butane flame and all this nonsense. I used it for a couple of years and became very experienced in fixing my daughters clarinet. But this is NOT the way to go. You dont want a chance to damage your clarinet or your EYES. Use a good soldering iron and use SHELLAC made in INDIA to replace the pads,. Very much easier, this way......Also Use mylar paper as well as build a wire light tool to see light leakage. This works 100% everytime. Dont waste your money to donate to Quinlan and Fabish to do routine maintenance when earn middle class. But if you are rich or you have too much money then have q&F do the maintenance!!

Thanks Mr. Feeny!!

Thank you very much sir!!! Very helpful!!!

Have you ever thought about getting a third hand [electronics tool] to hold pieces for the heating?

Excellent video with very useful information. Where do you buy your tools like your hook, screwdriver and small punch Thanks

I need help setting up my alto clarinets, a Bundy and a Paris Selmer. In both cases, the register mechanism isn't working and I can't find any sources of info on how to check and adjust the various keywork after a major overhaul. Also, where did you get the torch ? Thanks.

Very nice vid thank you!

Good tutorial!!

Awesome !!

thank you thank you thank you

Thanks! This helped me out :)

Just wondering why you don’t use a light strip. I got a cheap Chinese one which fits perfectly into the clarinet and in dim light the leaks are obvious. My bottom E and F keys show leaks but lm just wondering whether to attempt reseating. The E13 buffet has had very little use and l am annoyed because it was expensive. Here in Northern Ireland repair shops are non existent . Incidentally , most people roll their own cigarettes here so getting those papers is no problem. A packet of 20 decent cigarettes over here costs about 12$ ....not that l smoke.

Lol the rolling papers:)

Very helpful, especially when it cost 180 to pay someone to do this. How long do the pads usually last?

Hi Mr Ridenour. What happens when a screw seems to be attached to the key and you can not take it out because the head of the screw seems to no longer exist probably because of a bad repair. If it is a plastic clarinet what can one to to repair it

Very good! Thanks

On my resonite clarinet, the surface is easily damaged by heat and plastic glue. Prefer to use shellac. Easy to burn/scorch the pad so vital not to overdo heat by even a second.

excellente vidéo

great clear instructionm thank you

Hello Sir; It' s really helpfull. Could you tell me the reason, at the beginning why do you make hole to the side of the pad? Thank you very much.

Good video about replacing pads. I have a much better idea about the pellets, amount used, and why, after watching.

I think my glue was too hot because the keypad bubbled and then collapsed, I'm guessing that's why it's so important to do a side poke 😂 😂

Didn't you use too much adhesive pellets (5 to 6 pellets)???? Shouldn't you use 2 to 3 pellets???

This technique works on sax pads too?

Thats the same key im working on in the morning.

nice shirt!

Hoo boy! This was a great video Bill!(or 'William', if that's your real name)...I should be able to start doing oboe pad replacements on the professional grade instruments! Say, do you have any business cards you could send me? I think 20 or 30 should do it, you know, just in case anybody has any complaints or questions. Do you think I could use that Elmer's white paste for these pads, the stuff that comes in those 5 pound tubs? that would sure save me some do-ner-o (wink wink, nod nod)....

Legal in Canada...they will never suspect anything!!

You don't have to get a close-up of a butane lighter

use hot glue and safer and more efficient, bravo

You skipped removing the cup