Are you supposed to oil the bamboo tooters?
If so, do you do them inside and out or just the inside?
Pat sent me some instructions with my bamboo F but they seemed to be talking about the wooden flutes. I just wanted to be sure.
Patrick
[ This Message was edited by: Doc Jones on 2003-01-17 11:19 ]
I think it’s best to find out what Patrick recommends for his bamboo flutes.
There are two schools of thought on oiling. Some say oil periodically, and others say not to all. For the oilers, many different recommendations on which oils to use and not to use.
You want to avoid low and high temperatures. Also, if the flute is cold, warm it up (e.g., under you shirt or with your hands) before playing. You need to keep it humid. I put my bamboo flute, a shakuhachi, in a plastic bag with a small damp sponge.
http://members.aol.com/feadog/shaku_stor.jpg
Bill
Almond oil won’t hurt. It prevents
the wood from absorbing moisture.
But I wouldn’t go to a lot of
trouble to do it, personally. I do think
there’s no problem in treating
bamboo like other wood.
I think that all that’s necessary is to oil the endgrain of the bamboo occasionally. Meaning, in the holes, on the top end, and in the grain on the bottom. I don’t know that you need to mess with the bore.
If you find out what Pat Olwell recommends, though, please do let us know.
Stuart
Hello…delurking long enough to relay that Patrick told me to oil his bamboo with either olive or almond oil “once in a while”. I have several that I used to oil quite a bit, but haven’t for probably the last 6-8 months, just due to forgetfulness - I’ve had these 4 bamboos for around a year and a half with no drying/cracking problems at all (referring to the flutes) - Tod