I play many wind instruments (manly alto and bari sax) but i want to learn the clarinet. Only problem is the pads on my clarinet are all dry rotted. To get a pro to repad would cost more than the clarinet is worth.(i have a bundy and it would cost 150 to get it repaded when you can get a new clarinet for less) So i was wondering how impossible it would be for me to try it myself. I hear floating the pads is hard but what is floating pads.

buy a new 1 i guess

<Added>

but just sell the other 1

You might want to look into something of this nature.

http://www.music123.com/Valentino-Emergency-Clarinet-Repair-Kit-i97378.music

not top-notch quality, I'm sure, but if that was your goal the shop would be the obvious bet.

I've heard of floating pads. It involves using a heat source to melt a layer of glue-like substance under the pad which the pad floats on, I believe. Sound's complicated, definitly more than I'd want to undertake.

If you can find a decent new clarinet for less than $150, buy it. Otherwise, pay to get it re-padded. Learning to set the height on the pads is not easy, but if you already have the skills, try a "re-pad kit". Just my 2 cents.

BH