Klarinet Archive - Posting 000377.txt from 1997/09

From: Jrykorten@-----.com
Subj: Re: Clarinet Specifications....
Date: Mon, 8 Sep 1997 14:00:35 -0400

I have been doing a lot of bore measurements and it is painfully obvious that
there are very relaxed manufacturing tolerances, if any. Clarinet bores for
the same manufacturer vary by as much as 0.003" at the same point in the bore
for the same model.

You can pick up two different examples of the same clarinet and weigh them
and see them vary by over 3 Oz. !

This is true for both Buffet and Leblanc as far as I know others will show
the same deviations. I have not been able to test others, yet.

There is entirely too much variability in the manufacture of these
instruments. This is something I don't quite understand as it shouldn't be
that hard to hold a .001" dimension with todays machine tools.

Jerry Korten
NYC

In a message dated 97-09-06 20:20:50 EDT, Bill Hausman writes:

<<
I am certain that clarinets are the same way. As they leave the factory,
they should all be within normal manufacturing tolerances of being as
designed. Those that are not should have been rejected before shipment.
And few of us need anything better. If they weren't good enough as
designed, they wouldn't have developed the reputation they have. I conceed
that after shipping, due to bumping around, changes in temperature,
humidity, etc., some adjustment may be desireable at purchase to restore
peak performance. But I still maintain that any work that is needed should
be extremely minor and well within the capability of an on-site technician.
"Improvements" on the factory design are extra and not generally needed.
But it is still your call as the buyer. If you want to have the "baddest"
clarinet on the block and have the money to pay for it, by all means go to
one of these gurus. I do not doubt their knowledge, ability, or even their
results. Only their value to the general public.

>>