Straubinger Pads

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Tue May 24, 2005 8:19 pm

Does anyone here play with Straubinger Pads? What do you think of them? Do you notice any unusual pad noise?

biggzh · Post by **biggzh** » Wed May 25, 2005 6:08 am

They work GREAT!!! Everywhere, all the time... up till about the 10th or 12th year.... If they fail... they don't go gradually... all pad coverage is gone.... but they do work much longer than other flutes and can take much more than others up until that time. My teacher plays on a Straubinger she's had for 15 years and she says that she loves the pads, and has only had to have the flute repadded once in the last 2 years. (I've also tried flutes with those pads and I also give my recommendation).

MeLizzard · Post by **MeLizzard** » Wed May 25, 2005 8:56 am

Our shop's (super!) repair tech has sometimes pondered aloud the superiority of various, reputable pads. He believes there may be a little to the longevity bit (regular swabbing adds years to pads' lives), but the playability of almost any good brand of pads depends mostly on how expertly they're installed. Having not played a flute with Straubinger pads for more than a couple weeks each, I can't comment on their long-term performance. Part of their "magic" lies in their installation, as only a small number of Straubinger-trained (excellent anyway) techs in the country are allowed to use these pads. Anyone?

MeLizzard · Post by **MeLizzard** » Thu May 26, 2005 8:47 am

They are constructed a bit differently than felt pads; the website's very informative.

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Fri May 27, 2005 5:39 am

I did get a chance to check the website. I actually have them on my Pearl flute, but am considering having them taken off. The story is that they were put on the flute before I bought it, but after I played it. I an not sure why, but they seem to be noisy. Not sticky noisy, but clicking noisy. OK, I know this is completely crazy. I had the flute checked out by a top repair tech in Boston (who is Straubinger certified), and he recommeneded that the pads be taken off and replaced with the original pads for the flute. He said that they did not seem to be a good match for the flute, which is in near perfect condition, and that this happens from time to time. Again, I know this all sounds crazy

I have tried other flutes of the same model without the Straubingers and I love the response just as well as mine, but they don't have the obnoxious noise. Has anyone ever had an experience where they simply did not like them, or am I a loner on this one?

MeLizzard · Post by **MeLizzard** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 8:59 am

Hmmm...makes sense, I guess, that pads can be inappropriate for a particular flute model.

Yeah, I need my flute repadded in a baaaaad way, and so more opinions would be valuable. My flute still has its original (Muramatsu) pads. Even compromised, they still at least function and respond, so I can't wait to hear/feel the response with brand-new pads! Straubinger was one pad I considered, but maybe the Muramatsu pads would still be best.

sidekicker · Post by **sidekicker** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 1:37 pm

Sorry to bump this thread back up after such a long time, but I have the same question.

I'm considering a complete overhaul, or at least a repad, on my old Haynes which I want done in the next month or two.

If anybody has any experience with Straubingers, good or bad, I'd certainly like to hear about it

. The repair tech who is likely going to do the work highly recommends them.

Thanks in advance.

SK

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 7:06 pm

When I went to a convention back in early january, I got a chance to try out quite a few flutes with them. I loved them. It so happened that the person running the booth that had all straubinger pads on thier flutes was the owner of the store and the technitian for the store. So, he was very insightful on them, and I learned a lot about them. So, for me, when I will be upgrading to a handmade flute [ my student loan money is just about to come in!!!] having these pads are a high priority on my list.

He also showed me a trick about them. Given, all pads [ traditional or not] should theoretically be able to do this, but they cant. The tech at the booth had me play a miyazawa classic, [had me play a low d] then asked me to take off my right thumb [ to take away the support]. He then asked for me to take off any extra pressure with my fingers [ just enought to have the keys down]. Like that, the flute responded just as well as it would have with the support of my thumb and usual pressure. He said it was because of the perfect seal that the pad creates. Sure, his explanation was laced with his marketing skills [trying to sell it to me], but I could still tell that they were really good pads. He also said something about how the pads are very firm. Almost hard [ in comparison to other pads].

I later tried it out with another flute at the convention that was in really good repair, [w/o straubinger pads] and the flute wouldnt play without the extra support and pressure. True, different flutes, different pads.... I know I know..... but still I was really impressed by straubinger pads.

It also happens that all of the players in the clarinet studio here refuse to use any other pad than straubinger. They will drive about 2.5 hours to get to a repairman certified on those pads if anything goes wrong.

Take this as you will. Just my .02

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 9:55 pm

I've played flutes with Straubingers, and I can't say I was impressed. The pads get very "clicky" (not really the best way to describe the sound, but I can't think of anything else at the moment), particularly as you get further down the tube. The sound can be downright annoying. Talking to the owners of these flutes, a couple mentioned having problems with the skins tearing, which obviously meant they had to be replaced. If you're looking for synthetic pads, I'm a big fan of the JS Gold and the JS Silver pads. They are incredibly sturdy from what I've heard (Jon Landell said the set on his flute has been there for about 10 years without any problems), don't seem to have the noise problem of the Straubingers, and are just as flat, which is a major part of the Straubinger's marketing. Traditional pads suit me just fine for now, but when it comes time for a repad, I'll be getting the JS gold pads put on my Tom Green.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 10:32 pm

js? as in Jim Schmidt?

I haven't heard from him in ages on the flutemakers list..
He has some interesting stuff.
thanks for the report on his pads.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 10:34 pm

Mark wrote:js? as in Jim Schmidt?

Yup...That's the one!

sidekicker · Post by **sidekicker** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 6:07 am

flutepicc06 wrote: The pads get very "clicky" (not really the best way to describe the sound, but I can't think of anything else at the moment), particularly as you get further down the tube. The sound can be downright annoying.

This is what I have heard as well on occasion, and partially why I asked for more opinions either way. I certainly don't want a bunch of weird noise added after having paid more.

flutepicc06 wrote: If you're looking for synthetic pads, I'm a big fan of the JS Gold and the JS Silver pads.

I'm not necessarily looking for synthetic pads. I just keep hearing most people (comments above notwithstanding) rave over them. I take very good care of my instrument in terms of swabbing, etc., so I've never had any problems with traditional pads.

Thanks for all the advice. If anything else pops into mind, please share.

SK

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 11:03 am

The 'clicking' might have to do slightly with the quality of the installation. When I tried them, I didnt hear anything such as clicking. But, each to their own. I personally like them quite a bit. So, I would just recommend trying a flute that has these sort of pads, then seeing what you think of them. [of course keeping in mind that it is a different flute]. But, I like straubinger pads quite a lot.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 12:55 pm

fluteguy18 wrote:The 'clicking' might have to do slightly with the quality of the installation.

That's what I thought at first too, but I played flutes that had them installed by some of the best techs (including a couple of flute makers) out there, so I don't think that's really the problem. From what I understand, how well they work also varies from place to place, depending on weather conditions, and on the flute they are installed on. With so many variables affecting their performance, I can't see shelling out the money to have them put on a flute, only to find out they don't perform properly for me.

sidekicker · Post by **sidekicker** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 5:24 pm

Thanks, guys.

I've emailed the tech who will probably do the work and specifically asked the potential noise issue to be addressed before I have them put on. The tech had told me before that she puts Straubingers on Haynes's (like mine) all the time with marvelous success. I, too, am thinking it may be more of a technician issue than it is the pad itself; however, flutepicc's point is well-taken. As we all know, the type of climate we live in is going to affect our instrument one way or another, and weather conditions almost always (but unfortunately) go after the pads first. Also, it probably does matter what model flute they go on as well. So, hopefully, Haynes is one of those.

SK