Taking care of Cracks on Shakuhachi
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Taking care of Cracks on Shakuhachi
Hi all, It's winter and as usual, I'm getting inquiries about cracks. Most are concerns about old bindings giving way or Ro not responding.
If Ro is problematic or not working at all, there is most certainly a leak somewhere. The problem is finding the source.
Large gaps often show up on old cracks between the bindings. But if it is still closed directly under the binding as in the photo below, it may not the problem.
I would first check to see if there are cracks going through a finger hole as that is more often the culprit.
If the leak is coming from the finger holes, a careful brush of fingernail polish or lacquer will seal that gap. Humidifying the flute by placing it in a closed container next to a cup of water or damp cloth will also.
If the joint has loose paint, glue, tape adhesive and/or other gunk, it can also be a problem. It should be cleaned off then wrapped with non sticky Teflon plumbing tape for a snug seal.
If the leak is not from a finger hole or loose joint, then we can deduce that it's coming from one of the gaps between the bindings. In this case, you can save yourself some money by wrapping additional bindings yourself. This thread on the BBQ forum has a nice illustration on how to do bindings by Ken LaCosse: http://shakuhachiforum.com/viewtopic.php?id=318
I think the best way to store your flutes is in a plastic sleeve bag with a rubber band to seal. If your flute is played often and swabbed after with a moisture cloth, it will not need extra humidity as long as you store them together in the sleeve bag.
Take care of your flutes and they'll take care of you! ;)
Gassho,
Perry
If Ro is problematic or not working at all, there is most certainly a leak somewhere. The problem is finding the source.
Large gaps often show up on old cracks between the bindings. But if it is still closed directly under the binding as in the photo below, it may not the problem.
I would first check to see if there are cracks going through a finger hole as that is more often the culprit.
If the leak is coming from the finger holes, a careful brush of fingernail polish or lacquer will seal that gap. Humidifying the flute by placing it in a closed container next to a cup of water or damp cloth will also.
If the joint has loose paint, glue, tape adhesive and/or other gunk, it can also be a problem. It should be cleaned off then wrapped with non sticky Teflon plumbing tape for a snug seal.
If the leak is not from a finger hole or loose joint, then we can deduce that it's coming from one of the gaps between the bindings. In this case, you can save yourself some money by wrapping additional bindings yourself. This thread on the BBQ forum has a nice illustration on how to do bindings by Ken LaCosse: http://shakuhachiforum.com/viewtopic.php?id=318
I think the best way to store your flutes is in a plastic sleeve bag with a rubber band to seal. If your flute is played often and swabbed after with a moisture cloth, it will not need extra humidity as long as you store them together in the sleeve bag.
Take care of your flutes and they'll take care of you! ;)
Gassho,
Perry
Last edited by Perry Yung on 2013-02-06, 15:17; edited 2 times in total
"Perry Yung""Perry Yung"If the joint has loose paint, glue, tape adhesive and/or other gunk, it can also be a problem. It should be cleaned off then wrapped with non sticky Teflon plumbing tape for a snug seal.
Oh dear. My shakuhachi kept um, coming apart due to the joint being loose. I put a short strip of translucent adhesive tape ("scotch tape") there to tighten it, with the idea of eventually getting a maker to fix it properly. Should I remove that and use non sticky Teflon plumbing tape instead? (I'm not sure what exactly is that, heh.)
"Eugene""Eugene""Perry Yung""Perry Yung"If the joint has loose paint, glue, tape adhesive and/or other gunk, it can also be a problem. It should be cleaned off then wrapped with non sticky Teflon plumbing tape for a snug seal.
Oh dear. My shakuhachi kept um, coming apart due to the joint being loose. I put a short strip of translucent adhesive tape ("scotch tape") there to tighten it, with the idea of eventually getting a maker to fix it properly. Should I remove that and use non sticky Teflon plumbing tape instead? (I'm not sure what exactly is that, heh.)
Hi Eugene, Teflon tape is used to seal threaded plumbing pipes but it works perfectly on making a shakuhachi joint snug. You'll never have to worry about tape adhesive gunking up.
Anytime Plume Blanche!
"Eugene""Eugene""Perry Yung""Perry Yung"If the joint has loose paint, glue, tape adhesive and/or other gunk, it can also be a problem. It should be cleaned off then wrapped with non sticky Teflon plumbing tape for a snug seal.
Oh dear. My shakuhachi kept um, coming apart due to the joint being loose. I put a short strip of translucent adhesive tape ("scotch tape") there to tighten it, with the idea of eventually getting a maker to fix it properly. Should I remove that and use non sticky Teflon plumbing tape instead? (I'm not sure what exactly is that, heh.)
Hi Eugene, don't use anything that is adhesive on the joint. You will run into problems sooner or later if the the adhesive is gunking up and you must remove it. I have made very good experience using Teflon tape. It works perfectly on making a shakuhachi joint snug.
Thanks, Perry and LowBlow! I have just replaced the adhesive tape with Teflon tape (the sales assistant recognised "plumbing tape") that came in a package that looks exactly like Perry's picture, colour included 
"Eugene""Eugene"Thanks, Perry and LowBlow! I have just replaced the adhesive tape with Teflon tape (the sales assistant recognised "plumbing tape") that came in a package that looks exactly like Perry's picture, colour included :)
My pleasure!
Hello everybody,
I bought a new Shakuhachi a few months ago, and the crack which it haved in the back got bigger.(Certainly that the climate at my home in France, is for something there. My others Shakuhachi which had no cracks did not develop it.)
Today, when I play it, the sound is very airy and windy, it lost of its amplitude and I have difficulty in playing the gravest note.
According to the councils of Perry, I dipped my Shakuhachi into the warm water 10 seconds and I played. The sound became again ample, deep and soft, as it was it when I bought it.
Furthermore I noticed when it was in the water, of small bubbles which escaped from the crack.
The problem seems to come from this crack. Can I repair it myself, how and with what?
I know that some of you use glue, but is something healthier there ? because this part will be in touch with my chin, and having health problems, I am not sure that the contact of the glue with the skin and with the saliva is harmless in repeated use.
I thank you for your help and join you a photo of the crack.
I bought a new Shakuhachi a few months ago, and the crack which it haved in the back got bigger.(Certainly that the climate at my home in France, is for something there. My others Shakuhachi which had no cracks did not develop it.)
Today, when I play it, the sound is very airy and windy, it lost of its amplitude and I have difficulty in playing the gravest note.
According to the councils of Perry, I dipped my Shakuhachi into the warm water 10 seconds and I played. The sound became again ample, deep and soft, as it was it when I bought it.
Furthermore I noticed when it was in the water, of small bubbles which escaped from the crack.
The problem seems to come from this crack. Can I repair it myself, how and with what?
I know that some of you use glue, but is something healthier there ? because this part will be in touch with my chin, and having health problems, I am not sure that the contact of the glue with the skin and with the saliva is harmless in repeated use.
I thank you for your help and join you a photo of the crack.
"Plume Blanche""Plume Blanche"Hello everybody,
Today, when I play it, the sound is very airy and windy, it lost of its amplitude and I have difficulty in playing the gravest note.
According to the councils of Perry, I dipped my Shakuhachi into the warm water 10 seconds and I played. The sound became again ample, deep and soft, as it was it when I bought it.
Furthermore I noticed when it was in the water, of small bubbles which escaped from the crack.
The problem seems to come from this crack. Can I repair it myself, how and with what?
I know that some of you use glue, but is something healthier there ? because this part will be in touch with my chin, and having health problems, I am not sure that the contact of the glue with the skin and with the saliva is harmless in repeated use.
I thank you for your help and join you a photo of the crack.
Bonjour Elizabeth,
I'm happy to hear that the test worked for you. I see that the rattan binding is done in an older method and may be superficial only. I am repairing an Edo Period shakuhachi now also with superficial bindings. These bindings do not hold up over time. The best and least costly thing for you to do now is to do is remove the top binding and add a new one with a strong nylon cord or mono filament line. Please do not be intimidated by doing a binding. I have seen many people - young and old, women and men - learn how to do bindings successfully at my workshops. It just takes a few tries to get it tight. I've been meaning to make a video so I'll do that in a day or two and will post the link here. Until then, keep your flute in an airtight container and take a look at the link above for Ken Lacosse's binding instructions.
- Perry
"Plume Blanche""Plume Blanche"Thank you very much Perry.
I wait for your videos with impatience.
Sorry for the delay, I finally had a chance to make the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsWFlD-miSo
- Perry
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