Sticky pads on a new Pearl Flute !

[dogster]

Ok I purchased a Pearl Flute 665 RBE with a Offset G and its amazing ! I have taken up the flute now for 3 months ( however I have played piano , clarinet and recorders ) .Every thing was fine up until a few of the pads became sticky. I have a flute tech friend of mine that said that eventhe most expensive flutes can have this problem ! ugh . He said just live with it and don't drink wine or beer eat anything sweet and so on ... So the papers don't really work either. Anybody else have this issue ?

Doug

[flutegeek1992]

pad paper or cigarette paper is available to clean sticky pads. It'll clear up the problem in no time!

[dogster]

Can I purchase the pads at Samash ?

[flutegeek1992]

you DO NOT need to purchese new pads, your pads are okay. Sticky pads are very common in flutes, all you need to do is buy pad cleaning paper. The Flute FAQ tells you how.

[asoalin]

Yes, they should have them at Sam Ash. The papers solved my sticky pad probelm, so I hope they work for you, too. Good luck

[fluteguy18]

All that a sticky pad means, is that something [usually sugar from your breath from where you ate, or just over time] has coated the pad. So, it simply means the pad is dirty.

Cigarette paper can be used to remove the film, and your sticky pads will go away.

If the standard method of cleaning your pads with cigarette paper doesn't work, I know a few other tricks, but they should only be used as a last resort.

There is simply no reason your pads should be replaced just because they are sticky. If they are completely clean [as in, a tech tells you so] and they are still sticking, then you might want to consider replacing them.

However, replacing pads should only be performed by a qualified technitian. Replacing a pad is much more complicated than just popping the old one out, and putting the new one in. It involves careful seating and shimming in the pad cup so that the pad will seal perfectly, all the way around at the exact same time. Just putting a pad in, will not work. If it did, everyone could do it, and having a flute repadded would not be nearly as expensive as it is.

[etgohomeok]

If you get a sticky pad in a bad situation where special paper isn't available, use a one dollar (or higher, anything works) bill. They work ok for a little while.

[fluttiegurl]

This one keeps popping up, but I strongly believe that a dollar (or any bill) is a bad idea. For one thing, even a new bill has oils from being handled. Those oils can cause a pad to deteriorate. Also, the thickness and rough fibers of the bill can actually tear a pad. Plain paper (though I don't like this either) would be better than money.

I am very familiar with Pearl flutes as they seem to be the flutes of choice in my studio. I have noticed that the pads do get sticky at first. I have not pinpoint the problem, but I think it must be some kind of coating put on the pads in the factory because of the consistency of the issue. After a few times of cleaning them the proper way, they always get better.

[woof]

Ok I purchased a Pearl Flute 665 RBE with a Offset G and its amazing ! I have taken up the flute now for 3 months ( however I have played piano , clarinet and recorders ) .Every thing was fine up until a few of the pads became sticky.

Doug

After I purchased my Pearl several years ago the pads got a little sticky- not from eating anything (hard to imagine enuf sugar evaporating from your breath to cause this problem). At any rate after playing the pads became less and less sticky and then the problem disappeared. I did not have to use anything. I think the pads just got broken in ??? Mostly mine just made a little noise like they were sticking so it was not severe. How severe is your problem? Are the keys not opening up or is there just a touch of stickyness? The degree of the problem might indicate your course of treatment.

[dogster]

No the keys are fine just an annoying sticky sound . LOL
Doug

[nasxxx]

Also have noticed that the 1st pad on my flute is sticking, but hoping it will go away after time, else might try the "whistler" paper method else absorbing cloth and dab it.

[woof]

No the keys are fine just an annoying sticky sound . LOL
Doug

Yeah that sounds just like my problem. Hopefully yours will go away like mine did--good luck and enjoy your Pearl. I really have enjoyed mine.

[fluttiegurl]

I have a friend who just purchases a new Miyazawa, and she is having the same problem. These pads are quite different from Pearl's factory pads, but I am wondering if it is a breaking in thing. My last new flute was several years back, and I don't remember having this issue.

[fluteguy18]

I had a similiar issue with my Miya too. But, I sent it to my tech, and he cleaned the pads [then gave me the supplies so I could do it myself], and I don't have a problem with it anymore.

What he gave me, was a fluid called "pad juice." You can buy it from JL Smith co. and basically, it is a fluid that you put on a thin piece of fabric [designed for this use.... comes with the cleaning solution], and then use the moistened fabric like you do cigarette paper. It disolves whatever is on the surface of the pad without damaging the pad itself. Then, take a dry piece of cigarette paper, and absorb the moisture.

It works wonders.

However, if you go that route, use it sparingly to prolong the life of the pad.

[sliversax]

my pearl flute does this too... interesting to see that it is not uncommon.