Valentino Green Back pads have gained tremendous
popularity and success among repair technicians, as well as professional
musicians and band directors. And many stores prefer them in their rental stock
because of their durability and long life. Two of the major band instrument
manufacturers, Yamaha and Buffet, install Green Back pads at the factory on all
of their student clarinets.

Green Back pads can be installed in the exact same manner
as regular bladder skin pads:

• Remove old glue from key
  cup.


• Apply hot melt glue or shellac to back of pad or key cup.


• Heat key cup (see ), insert pad and level (use minimal heat).
  

Whether working with standard bladder skin pads or
Green Back pads, opinion varies as to whether a 'seat' or crease in the pad
surface is desirable. If a seat is used, it is generally agreed that it
should be of minimal depth.



With skin pads a seat is generally accomplished by lightly clamping normally
open keys. Green Back pads can be given a seat by using a hot air gun (low
setting) held for a 4-5 seconds several inches away from the pads. Then hold the
key in a closed position until pad cools. Light action key clamps (see ) may be used if a deeper seat is desired. Keys that
are normally closed will form their own seat without heat or clamping.

See SPECIFICATION tab for more details.