Klarinet Archive - Posting 000598.txt from 1997/11

From: Neil Leupold <nleupold@-----.edu>
Subj: "Student" vs. "Professional" models
Date: Sat, 15 Nov 1997 18:01:21 -0500

On Sat, 15 Nov 1997 Gary_VanCott@-----.com wrote:

> We have several instruments not sold in the US:

> Continental
> C-13 (apparently sold at one time as there are questions about it)
> B-10 (could this be the B-12?)

The C-13 is sold in the U.S. My student and I tested one just
last week. A fine instrument. It's rated a student model, and
my student & I find ourselves wondering why. Thus, beyond my
basic reply concerning the C-13's domestic availability, the
second part is for everybody to ponder:

What are the objective and quantifiable differences that
warrant labelling, say, the Buffet C-13 and the Leblanc
Sonata as "student" instruments, vs. the R-13 and the
Concerto as "professional" models. The student instru-
ments are touted as having the same undercut toneholes,
silver plating (on the C-13), equal-quality keywork, and
the same wood.

[I'm not interested in whether or not the wood is more
dense or longer-seasoned, since discsussions on this list
have made it obvious that nobody knows conclusively whether
or not material makes a difference. I'm also not interested
in conjecture of any other kind.]

Can anybody offer definitive commentary with regard to
acoustical design, i.e.; bore dimensions, level of under-
cutting, placement of toneholes and register tube, and
further information along these accurately quantifiable
lines?

If there are clear differences which result in an instrument
of intentionally lower quality, why do manufacturers refrain
from making, say, plastic clarinets with identical acoustical
dimensions as the professional models, which would surely cost
less than a wooden counterpart? Is there any rationale beyond
capitalism and economics? As I mentioned initially, the Buffet
C-13 is a fine instrument, albeit a little resistant compared to
my R-13 Prestige, but every bit as good with regard to consistent
registration and ringing of tone.

Questions of curiosity.

Neil