Klarinet Archive - Posting 000228.txt from 1995/02

From: "(Tim Clark)" <MorrisMini@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Green Buffet
Date: Fri, 10 Feb 1995 11:04:27 -0500

The Green Line encompasses both a new clarinet and oboe manufacturing
process. The material used is, from what I can glean from various sources,
90% wood particles, and 10% binder and resin. The material is very hard on
tooling, and Buffet has had to re-tool with diamond cutting tools to handle
the production. The material is visually almost identical to a billet-made
wooden body, although on close inspection there is a homogeneous rather than
long-grained consistancy. I played one of the samples and found it to be
very good. I was pleasantly surprised, and encouraged that Buffet has put
themselves on the line with such a progressive step in finding an alternative
step in what will be an ever increasing problem.
I would bet that the cracking problem will be virtually eliminated, although
time will tell. I would expect playing consistancy to also improve, as the
material will be a constant, and numerically controlled machinery will do
much of the process. Again, whether the sound produced will remain the
standard is for time to tell. -Tim Clark