Klarinet Archive - Posting 000179.txt from 1997/02

From: Steve Prescott <mipresc@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Buffet Greenline
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 1997 14:18:25 -0500

Mike wrote:

>I think it is great that Buffet has perfected the technology of the
>composite clarinet. It saves African blackwood, as unusable pieces of wood
>now can be used. The Greenlines that I have tried played every bit as good
>as the R13. I would also guess (only a guess) that the same amount of time
>went into manufacturing. I have one basic question still....What do we do
>when Blackwood becomes extint? Composites eventually won't be the answer.
>
>Mike Moors
>

I don't think the musical instrument industry, as far as using grenadilla,
is a threat the the environment. The African farmer, as I understand it,
uses a "slash and burn" method of clearing the land. Fire tends to be
indiscriminate and destructive. Some of the land that the farmer clears is
prime growing land for grenadilla. It is because of the alleged
unavailability of grenadilla that the "Green Line" has been produced. (This
is, of course, is my opinion.)

Steve

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