Hi,

A few weeks ago I bought a new Yamaha YCL 450, but I'm not entirely sure what to do about oiling. My teacher said that there'd be instructions about the oiling with it, but I've no more lessons now, and there's not. It only says it has been some type of oil run through it to protect the Grendilla wood - I can't remember exactly. But anyway, it sounds only semi-permanent, so any advice would be good. Also, if you're going to recommend products, please could you tell me which make you get and the usual round-about cost, thanks.

Despite finding I can't play it for so long as my old instrument (my hands ache), it sounds gorgeous, lovely rounded sound with sweet high notes. Better than an old Buffet B10 any day!!

Look forward to any tips or advice you have!!

Yabba

Bought my daughter a Buffet R13 a few months back. She has been careful to play it in but we haven't used any oil and weren't intending to!
Does anyone here have any expertise to pass on about this?
Also..
I have wooden recorders too that I have never oiled and they play fine/no cracks- I did try once and made a complete mess. Do any recorder players have any advice about this? Thanks

Yabba,

The discussion on which bore oil to use has been going on for decades. It revolves mainly around whether to use organic or petroleum derived oils.

The vast majority of bore oils sold are the latter. However more and more people are using oil derived from plants, olive, almond, peanut etc.

For regular maintenance, I use the 'Doc's bore oil'. This has been very strongly recommended by many players and Dr Omar contributes regularly to the clarinet forum at www.woodwind.org

If you go there and do a search, you'll find lots of info. Likewise, a Google search for 'Doc's products' should find his website.

One of my hobbies is buying old cheap clarinets from Ebay and repairing them. The wood is generally very dry and dull-looking. I treat the wood for a few days with olive oil, then peanut and finally almond oil. The results are amazing. The wood appears very healthy and the instrument looks like new.

Good luck,

Steve

Thanks for the information, I have to admit though, there is a lot of contrasting information on that website... still, my teacher and all the people who repair clarinets that I know have told me they need it. I've not managed to find the 'Doc's products' site yet, are you able to post the link?

Thanks again,

Yabba

You're right. It wasn't easy to find. Here:

www.doctorsprod.com

Go to 'Wood' for his bore oil. His p&p charges are very reasonable.

Also, if you're really serious about the clarinet, start reading all the messages at www.woodwing.org

It's an international forum and the advice and info is priceless!

Steve

is it for all woodwind instruments?

Suggest that use the Yamaha's Bore oil, through I've got a Yamaha's custom V-edition--- SEV, i still don't know how to put the bore oil, My friends tell me that just put into the 'body'... Go get advice from the teacher--- THE BEST.

No, only clarinet and oboe. The oboe forum is there somewhere but not well signposted.



Yamaha's bore oil will be the same as all the others. I don't think any manufacturer sells organic bore oil with their instruments.

To apply bore oil, simply put a few drops on a clean swab and pull through the bore - just how you do for cleaning. Repeat a few times until the bore looks shiny.
At the website I mentioned, you can buy an excellent oiling rod. I use it a lot but in reality you could use a soft bottle cleaning brush (very soft!!) . Whatever you use, it must not be so big that it sticks into the tone holes and touches the closed pads. Your pads would become sticky!

Steve