Klarinet Archive - Posting 000268.txt from 1998/02

From: GTGallant@-----.com
Subj: Re: Greenlines
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 04:42:44 -0500

In a message, Dr. Lacy wrote:

<<
Plastic: n. Any of various nonmetallic compounds, synthetically
produced, usually from organic compounds by polymerization, which can be
molded into various forms and hardened...... etc., etc.

I think we need the scientific analysis of the material of the Greenline
instruments. If it is a compound, it is a plastic; if it is a mixture,
then it is not, according to the scientific classification of such things.
>>

If Buffet uses polycarbonate (contains carbon), nonmetallic compounds
(grenadilla dust, carbon fiber), and is heat formed under pressure and
polymerized, then by the above definition, it is a plastic. Buffet states the
above is used in Greenlines, so why don't you beleive the fact that you quoted
from the dictionary? It would be a bit obtuse to ignore pre existing, factual
data and call for a test.

It all comes down to marketing. The general belief among woodwind players is
that wood is superior acousticly to plastic. This misconception is realized
by marketers, and the Greenline product is presented to the public as 90%
grenadilla wood. Potential customers see the word "wood" and "90%" (along
with all the other bells and whistles) and actually think it is similar, or
the same as wood. Ninety pennies do not make a dollar... to my knowledge, it
makes ninety cents! The fine print is there, you just have to read it.