Klarinet Archive - Posting 000510.txt from 1996/04

From: frank brugman <fbrugman@-----.ORG>
Subj: Blackwood
Date: Thu, 18 Apr 1996 01:02:27 -0400

> Subject header notwithstanding, I've been thinking about the age-old R13
> vs. Prestige topic. I can't afford the $2825.00 quoted from [famous
> supplier] but am still interested in finding out about the Buffet
> Prestige instruments. I've read in the archives a posting to the effect
> that the Prestige(s) are built from Grenadilla, and the Poor Boy R-13s
> from African Blackwood. Does anyone have the facts on this? Are the woods
> different?
> ````````````````````````````````
> Bill Fogle
> Washington, DC
> bfogle@-----.edu
> `````````````````````````````````
>
>
Public Television showed a marvelous video from Boosey & H. about clarinet
manufacture. There was a lot of good information on African blackwood.
Every clarinettist should see this video.
I have the impression (not from the video) that the heartwood of the trunk
is denser and considered superior for clarinet bodies. Therefore, it would
seem logical that the "professional" models would be made from it,and the
cheaper instruments from less dense stock. Prehaps someone out there can
confirm this.
Frank Brugman