Klarinet Archive - Posting 001277.txt from 1997/09

From: Roger Shilcock <roger.shilcock@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: A Plastic Clarinet Question
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 1997 22:00:44 -0400

I have seen these in England, maybe 3 years ago - didn't try one, but
heard them highly spoken of re intonation. I don't know whether they are
still being made. One aesthetic disadvantage is that you can see trails of
condensation running down inside the tube.
Roger Shilcock

On Sat, 27 Sep 1997 RETHIERS@-----.com wrote:

> Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 21:33:32 -0400 (EDT)
> From: RETHIERS@-----.com
> Reply-To: klarinet@-----.us
> To: klarinet@-----.us
> Subject: Re: A Plastic Clarinet Question
>
> Dear Matt:
> There is, or has been, a high quality plastic clarinet out there.
> About 5 years ago a music store owned by a friend of mine aquired two
> Buffet clarinets made entirely of a plastic that is as clear as glass. The
> keys are bright copper plated and in the eye of this beholder they were and
> are the most spectacularly beautiful clarinet imaginable. My friend kept one
> and sold me the other. We both march them. They are rugged and insensitive to
> weather conditions, except that the plastic temporarily becomes slightly hazy
> at high temperatures. At every parade they draw oohs and aahs especially from
> members of other bands.
> I have seen only one other of these (which I promptly bought) and although
> I think they were advertised for a while by the Woodwinds and Brasswinds of
> South Bend they did not have one to sell me.
> But the impressive part is that when subjected to the Fobes intonation test
> the two I have are FAR superior in their tuning than either my Buffet R13 or
> my Selmer G10.
> That's all I know about these clear clarinets. I wish I knew their story.
> Why were they made -- was it an experiment? Why are they so good -- is
> plastic easier to work with? Why were they discontinued -- am I the only
> person who sees them as beautiful?
> I know that this probably won't help you except to answer your question but
> never having heard these mentioned through any of the long threads about
> plastic clarinets I couldn't resist answering your question. Besides, on the
> Klarinet list when you cast your bread upon the waters it comes back many
> fold amazingly often.
> Ralph Thiers
> Olympia, WA
>