Help !!! a pad on my Bb clarinet come off and It got lost .where can i get new pads?

Question

Help !!! a pad on my Bb clarinet come off and It got lost .where can i get new pads?

Answer 1

You should take it to an instrument technician at your local music store.  It will take them 5 minutes to put a new pad on, and you will have to pay for materials.

You can also buy pad sets for Bb clarinet if you google "buy clarinet pads"... but be aware of a couple problems doing this:

1) If the pad fell out, but there is still glue inside the key, it will cause a new pad to sit incorrectly... this could cause leakage, tuning issues, and so forth... the cup HAS TO BE CLEAN.

2) If you don't get exactly the right size pad, same issues... and they are measured in milimeters... the chance for mistake is high without experience.

3) Depending on which key the pad fell off of, it may need to be adjusted for tuning purposes.  If it was from your right pinky "Eb"... let a pro do this... the tuning will be off for "Eb" and anything over high "D".

4) The pad sets (for decent ones- gortex is the brand to look for) are very expensive... about $80 to $100 for a set of pads... and this DOESN'T include installation!  So if you mess it up, you're out some cash!

Now the plus side is that if this happens again, you have the pads to take to the technician or to stick on in an emergency... and with more experience, you can start doing your own repair work.  Be prepared to spend a little money to fix your own mistakes though! ;)  Also, ALWAYS let a pro do your key adjustments and full repad jobs... it saves you a headache, and you are guaranteed it will be done right.

I wish you luck! :)

Answer 2

try taking to a local instrument store and ask them to fix it