Klarinet Archive - Posting 000378.txt from 1994/05

From: Cary Karp <nrm-karp@-----.SE>
Subj: Re: Buffet's E-flat
Date: Sun, 22 May 1994 17:05:15 -0400

On Sun, 22 May 1994, Dan Leeson wrote:

> For example, as a player why would I care one whit about having an
> access point in the middle of the horn so as to enable precise
> measurement? I might measure it once if I had nothing better to do
> but to have the instrument in two pieces permanently for that
> purpose doesn't make sense.

The purpose of the middle joint isn't to allow an extra point of access
for measurement (nor did I say it was) -- it is to allow for the
possibility of modifying the shape of the bore. The technique of
"chambering" a bore, that is, scooping out wood at well defined points
along its length, is a significant part of the voicing process (albeit
rarely practiced in the modern factory context). When dealing with a
conically bored instrument such as an oboe, this is easily accomplished
using small reamers and/or spoon bits. A cylindrically bored instrument is
virtually impossible to adjust in this manner, except for conical
expansion toward the tenons. A one piece Eb has two tenons. A two piece Eb
has four tenons and therefore allows for considerably more sophisticated
profiling of the bore. Since the shape of the bore is far and away the
largest single determinant of the way the instrument is going to sound and
feel, I think the basic idea behind Buffet's latest effort is rock solid.