Klarinet Archive - Posting 000269.txt from 1997/09

From: "Andrew Scholberg" <ascholbe@-----.com>
Subj: Re: ending the GreenLine plastic/composite thread
Date: Sat, 6 Sep 1997 16:25:39 -0400

> From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
> To: klarinet@-----.us
> Subject: Re: ending the GreenLine plastic/composite thread
> Date: Saturday, September 06, 1997 1:49 PM
>
> These are extremely old references - and I view them as possibly
> unreliable sources. Is anyone playing on a plastic flute or organ with
> plasic pipes? Is there a difference between plastic recorders and wood
> recorders? What about wood flutes and plastic flutes (such as the modern
> baroque flutes)? I am also curious who did the listening - were they
> specialists on those instruments or laymen who work with plastics, woods,
> and metals? Is there a more recent study with more reliable, up-to-date
> measurement devices? What about any that are done with the composite
> plastics in question?

Roger,

I own two plastic baroque flutes. One of them, a black imitation-ebony
flute (pitched at A@-----. It's the
perfect flute for an outdoor gig when there's a 90 percent chance of rain.

The other, a white imitation-ivory flute (pitched at A=415), cost me $400
and is worth five times the price. Its thick, masculine sound is gorgeous,
and it's a joy to play. The plastic is heavy, dense, and pleasing in every
way. My conclusion: plastic can be good and plastic can be bad.

I've tried a few plastic alto recorders and have never found one that
produces a rich sound. If anyone knows of one that plays like a
professional instrument, let me know.

Once, however, I bought a plastic Yamaha soprano recorder for $5 or $10,
and it sounded as good as a $300 ebony soprano. (No matter how good a
soprano recorder is, I can only take it in small doses. To be blunt, I hate
the soprano recorder -- plastic or wood.)

Andy Scholberg
ascholbe@-----.com

   
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