Klarinet Archive - Posting 000299.txt from 1996/09

From: Steve Prescott <mipresc@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Knots in wood (was: R-13 shopping)
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 23:37:33 -0400

Luuk van Buul wrote the following in reference to my comments on what to
look for in a new Buffet...or what not (knot) to look for: (sorry for
taking so long to get back to this)
>
>This is contrary to what the people at the Leblanc factory told me. They
>literally said: 'Knots do not have any influence on the quality of the
>instrument or on the forming of cracks. Only because people don't want
>knots, we
>select the 'better' wood for the more expensive instruments. This is one of the
>main reasons that these instruments are more expensive. It is just a cosmetic
>problem.'
>
>Most cracks I've seen are located in the upper joint, going through one or more
>of the side trill holes. This is independent of any knots, which should be
>distributed uniformly over the instrument.
>

Knots are natural flaws in the wood. Tone holes are man made flaws in the
wood. It has been my experience that both "flaws" may cause the wood to
crack.

Steve.

Steve Prescott
Instrument Rep.Tech./ Clarinetist
Indiana State University
mipresc@-----.edu