Klarinet Archive - Posting 000804.txt from 1996/08

From: dap@-----.O
Subj: wood vs plastic, beauty vs the beast (fwd)
Date: Fri, 30 Aug 1996 15:35:08 -0400

Forwarded message:
>
> I aggree with Dan L. on the beauty of a wood clarinet but then why
> is the wood dyed black or is this some type of wood treatment? I've had
> some bells where the dye was cleaned off and they look great when you can
> see more of the grain.
> I still feel that the most gorgeous clarinet I've seen is the
> Selmer Rosewood Eb contra with silver keys and bell. The red and silver
> motif can't be beat.
> I do aggree that the keywork on student clarinets leaves something
> to be desired. Also the bore between a student horn and a top model is
> different. The tone holes are also cut different - fraized compaired to
> straight cut. I would also think that the quality control is a little less
> on the student line since the quantities produced are going to be larger.
> The one exception to student clarinets that I've found is the
> Leblanc plastic Esprit model. I've tried this clarinet a couple of times
> and have always been impressed with the keywork, tuning, and responce.
> Leblanc hit it right with this one.
> Aren't some pro oboist using plastic top joints and wood bottom
> joints? I think I've heard this somewhere.
>
> Dan
>
> ******************************************************************************
>
> Daniel A. Paprocki
> Instructor of Clarinet
> Malone College
> dap@-----.us
>
> ******************************************************************************