Klarinet Archive - Posting 000387.txt from 1995/04

From: James Sclater <sclater@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Older clarinets
Date: Sat, 22 Apr 1995 12:40:10 -0400

Recently I mentioned to my colleague in the orchestra here that
there had been some discussion on the list about clarinets being "blown
out." I asked him if he knew the characteristics of an instrument that had
been "blown out." His reply indicated that he believed that, if it happens
at all, one could only tell by comparing one's old clarinet with a new
one. I would really like to hear some feedback about this. I have two
clarinets, each of which is between 25 and 35 years old. (I really don't
know how old they are because I purchased each used...both R-13's.) I
haven't noticed any glaring changes in the instruments, but then the
changes, if any, might have occured in a very subtle way over a long
period of time. Is this a problem of changing resistance?
If anyone has some thoughts about this, I would be eager to hear
them. My wife says I'm just looking for an excuse to get a new set of
clarinets!

James Sclater inet: sclater@-----.edu
Mississippi College (601)925-3445
Clinton, MS 39058