Straubinger Pads

sidekicker · Post by **sidekicker** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 7:07 am

First, congrats on the new flute, fluteguy.

I'm curious as to which key it is that you hear that noise from, i.e. whether it was the same one I noticed it on. I only noticed it when one key was depressed as well (I call it the F key; index finger of right hand) and it just sounded like a hard slap when there wasn't really one (or a cross between a slap and a sticky pad). But then again I tried another all-straub flute and didn't notice a peep. So I'm not really sure what the deal is; sounds like sometimes it's there and sometimes not. Something that probably bears noting, too, is that when I tried that flute w/ the clicking Straub on it, my two listeners I had in the room with me said they probably wouldn't have noticed it had I not pointed it out. That makes me think that an audience may be unlikely to notice anything.

But what matters most is that you're happy with what you got, and I'm sure there are zillions of other features on your new flute that outweigh that slight inconvenience if/when it happens.

One more thing -- I'm certainly no tech, but it's never a good idea to pull out pad drying paper while the key is still depressed whether it's a Straub or regular felt pad (even though I've heard Straubs are more delicate in that respect than felts). Simply put the paper in, press key down, release, and remove paper. Pulling the paper out while the key is depressed, I've always been told, will risk hurting any type of pad. Someone with more tech experience please correct me if I'm wrong on that.

BTW, I got my newly overhauled flute back over the weekend. Plays beautifully. I did traditional felt pads, but I will re-evaluate Straubs next time. That was it's 40th birthday present (my flute was made in 1967); its owner turns ____ in a few days

, so it served a dual gift purpose.

SK

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 9:12 am

Thanks! For me, the 'noise' is on the left hand C key as I call it. The rest of them sound fine to me. There is a little bit of a sound to the rest of the pads but nothing substantially different than traditional felt pads.

As for the pad cleaning technique I used, I did the normal, 'press and release' method that you mentioned, then I went and used Miyazawa's suggested method which involved pulling ever so slightly, just so that whatever is on the pad is dislodged. But, nothing worked. Not normal pad paper, not powdered pad paper.... nothing.

I am glad your flute came back, and that you are pleased with it. It seems like a lot of people on here have been A: getting a new flute or B: getting their old flute back from somewhere.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:40 pm

Okay. Sorry to be bringing this thread up from the grave but....

I HATE STRAUBINGER PADS.

I will NEVER get them again. In addition to relentless sticking and clicking noises, all of a sudden I had 3... not one, but 3 pads tear. I am performing the Chaminade with our Orchestra this friday, and these pads are driving me nuts. They are noisy and temperamental. Even though they seal really well and play wonderfully, the noise is intolerable. I hereby revoke almost every good thing I have said about these pads.

As soon as I get out for summer, I am getting rid of these pads.

I hate them!!

Ok. Sorry about that. I just needed to vent some frustration.

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Thu May 01, 2008 5:53 am

Ah..............welcome to the dark side.

sidekicker · Post by **sidekicker** » Thu May 01, 2008 6:34 am

As much as I dread revisiting this thread

, I have to agree. Since we last sparred here I've had the opportunity to play on some flutes with straubs and I also fall into the category of one who cannot stand the noise. I know it must be at variable levels on different flutes, but each one I played on had some degree of it.

So I'll be sticking with my traditional felt pads, even given their weaknesses.

I'm sorry that's happened to you fluteguy. The bright side will be that once you get them off, you will really be able to enjoy that new flute even more. Until then just stay cool and get by the best you can.

SK

dasteufelhund · Post by **dasteufelhund** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 1:35 am

either you had a bad install or your flute is compatible with Straubinger pad. Some flute does not have proper spud height or right size for the pad to be fitted. The clicking is perfectly normal, and it sometimes serve as a sign of you using too much pressure. Harder will help the sound resonant better, and I have not play any flute that does not sound better with Straubinger pads in over its original condition.

fluttiegurl wrote: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?

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:23 am

::heavy sigh::

I ended up keeping my straub pads. I sent my flute in to be repaired/repadded, and the tech at Miyazawa noticed that all of my pads were on the verge of tearing. And in addition to that, I was going to have a key replated [because it was defective]. As he stripped the key down, he noticed that the key was actually dissentigrating. So it had to go back to Japan to have the key replaced. When I got it back [two months later], most of the pads were replaced, and all of them were re-adjusted.

The noise is less bothersome now, but it is still there. You can't hear the clicking over my playing though, so I will probably have to keep these until I get an overhaul.

I am just glad to have my flute back.

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:27 pm

What a nightmare! At least it is fixed and you are happy with it.

I just simply prefer not to deal with Straubs. My Haynes has felt pads on it and I could not be happier.

pied_piper · Post by **pied_piper** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 1:18 pm

fluteguy18 wrote:I ended up keeping my straub pads. ... When I got it back [two months later], most of the pads were replaced, and all of them were re-adjusted.

So did the Miyazawa factory replaced the pads with new Straubingers or did they recover them? I've heard that recovering is being done sometimes.

Also, has anyone tried the JS Gold pads? Supposedly, they are somewhat similar to Straubingers.

Helga · Post by **Helga** » Fri May 08, 2009 4:09 pm

Pads can go horribly wrong in so many ways!

I guess this thread has scared me a bit from trying Straubinger pads..

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Fri May 08, 2009 8:02 pm

Yes, pads can go soooo wrong. But, as a quazi update about my straubinger pads....

They're fine now. After my tech adjusted them the last time, they settled in quite nicely after a few weeks. I also got to meet my tech and David Straubinger at the NFA Convention in Kansas City, and I talked to both of them about proper care/maintenance for straubinger pads. It took me a while to get it right, but I finally adjusted to the proper way to take care of them. Now [much to the contradiction of a few earlier posts I put on here], I wouldn't trade them for any other kind of pad.

As long as you get the pads cleaned [with pad cleaner by a straubinger certified tech who works with them frequently], then keep them clean, and avoid touching the edges of the key cups at ALL COSTS, they do okay. Keeping the pads clean is a pain though. You have to swab frequently, brush your teeth (sans toothpaste) before every time you play, then rinse again with water, then if possible let your flute sit in the open air for a few minutes for the remaining moisture to completely evaporate before closing the case.

So if your flute has straubinger pads already, take the time to really learn how to care for them. If your flute doesn't have them... then be very patient if you do get them installed.

But yes. These pads can be VERY fickle, but for the most part they are okay once you learn how to care for them. They are much more sensative than felt pads. No seriously... you cross your eyes at them, and like... 5 will split open. But if they are installed really well, and you are meticulous about caring for your flute/pads, they work just fine.

sidekicker · Post by **sidekicker** » Mon May 11, 2009 7:36 am

I will eat a little crow here as well, since I have been rather vehement in my opposition to these pads in the past. My new Brannen came with Straubs so I had no choice (I guess I could have had them replaced, but I didn't want to alter anything on the instrument once I found precisely what I wanted), and I've had no problems that I can detect (including any of the clicking-type sounds).

Straubs are a very good product, but like all good products there can be some that don't work out well for a variety of reasons; i.e. not maintained correctly, etc.

SK

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Mon May 11, 2009 3:23 pm

One thing to seriously consider is who is doing the work. i have a feeling that mine were not installed correctly to begin with. Also, I still wonder if they are just not right for certain flutes. I would not necessarily advise against them. I just personally refuse to go down that road again.

c_otter · Post by **c_otter** » Mon May 11, 2009 10:54 pm

My piccolo and new flute have Straubs. So far I've been happy with them. The're supposed to be less sensitive to changes in humidity, so that makes a difference living in Seattle.

In addition to having a really good tech, you also want to make sure that your flute is suitable for Straubs. They require a very stable mechanism and the tone hole will need to be leveled. Many intermediate flutes will be better off with traditional felt pads. With older handmade flutes it probably depends on the instrument.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Tue May 12, 2009 11:42 am

fluttiegurl wrote:One thing to seriously consider is who is doing the work. i have a feeling that mine were not installed correctly to begin with.

Absolutely. Who is adjusting them makes a WORLD of a difference. I had Robert Johnson at Flute Specialists adjust my flute right before I bought it. His work was good, but as documented here, they were a bit noisy. And the noise only got worse over time. I then had my tech at Miyazawa adjust them and they were a lot better, but still not that great. Then when I had the issues with my key being replaced, they also replaced the majority of my pads. I haven't had any problems since. So WHO is doing the INSTALLATION/ADJUSTMENTS in the beginning makes as much of a difference as well as who does the long-term maintenance.

For example: there is a tech in my area who is Straubinger certified. When he takes his time to do adjustments correctly, he is great. But... because he also works on all other professional level woodwind instruments [Buffet Clarinets, Loree Oboes etc. etc.]. He often times does not have the time to do his best work because he is so busy. So, I would never take my flute to him unless it was an absolute emergency. I mean, he does good work when he wants to, but often times his adjustments/overhauls can be slightly sub-par. But, this does not mean that he isn't a good technitian. He is just really busy and doesn't have the time to perfect the art of straubinger installation.