Klarinet Archive - Posting 000000.txt from 1995/06

From: Timothy Tikker <tjt@-----.ORG>
Subj: G Clarinets
Date: Thu, 1 Jun 1995 00:32:09 -0400

As a follow-up to my own earlier posting: I just heard George Chittenden
play his G Albert-system clarinet with his Greek band, Ziyia, at the
Seattle Folklife Festival this weekend. So obviously, the instrument is
in fine shape - sounded wonderful.

The Turkish (metal) clarinets arrived on approval. One is nickel-plated,
other is plain brass. Towards the bottom they are stamped:

R
K
SOL
R

"Sol" of course means "G". This is the same make of clarinet that Lark in
the Morning (and others - ?) have imported here. Lark's at Folklife was
cruder than these, having no rings or rollers and a very rough feel.
However, though these are fancier, having four rings and two sets of
rollers, they aren't a lot better. The intontation is way off (and I'm
used to compensating on my older clarinets) and the tone stuffy on many
notes. The reach is enormous (and I have large hands - can reach a tenth
on the piano, occasional eleventh), not very comfortable, though the
adjustable thumb-rest is a help.

The fellow who is selling these says that someone he knows got one of the
Orsi Gs from Italy and was very disappointed - it was quite out-of-tune
with itself. If it was worse than these Turkish ones... hoo-boy!