Klarinet Archive - Posting 000598.txt from 1997/01

From: Jrykorten@-----.com
Subj: Wood Vs Plastic
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 1997 14:02:06 -0500

David C. Blumberg wrote:

>Not wanting to throw gas on a fire that doesn't exist yet, but:
>Why don't the big manufacturers copy the exact bore, tonehole placement,
>etc. ,etc. on the plastic clarinets, to make the perfect clarinet -IF, and
>only IF the tone is the same between wood, and plastic. And don't tell me
>the equivalent of "a common cold virus cure exists, but the cold symptom
>industry suppresses it".

According to the new literature from Boosey Hawkes - the new Buffet R-13's
ARE in fact now made from plastic!

This is an age old debate (started in the 19th century over brass or wood
trumpets). I agree with David, there probably is only good to come out of
using a dimensionally stable material that is some mix (laminate like match
rifle gun stock) of wood and plastic or rubber, or of plastic alone.

Does anybody have direct experience with other materials in a quality
clarinet?

Jerry Korten
NYC