Klarinet Archive - Posting 000284.txt from 1998/02

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Greenlines
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 09:37:01 -0500

On Wed, 4 Feb 1998, Matthew Hanson wrote:

> Just another thought, but, with my limited knowledge of composite
> clarinets, I am curious as to how well the Greenlines will hold up with
> age. Not to be negative, but instead of cracking, might there be a
> disadvantage equal to cracking?

Yes......Buffet Reps warn purchasers to be careful of the tenon
joints...they have a tendency to break if abused.

> Since these instruments are so new, we really haven't been able to see
> what time and a lot of wear does to them. Since they are composite,
> might the tone holes become jagged with age? This would make pad
> seating a nightmare. Like I said, just a thought.
> With such a low proportion of plastic, I don't understand its
> durability. Perhaps it is made with very high pressure instead of heat
> to form the body. I think this because that last time I checked, wood
> tends to burn if you get it very hot. If pressure is in fact the answer
> to the manuyfacturing of these composite clarinets, I would imagine that
> time would wear the instruments a great deal (i.e. chipping, crumbling).
> Someone PLEASE give me reason to believe different.
> thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Since there are many opinions and not much fact to go on, musc speculation
will result from the above question (geez.....what a sentence I just
wrote). However, just from looking at one of these clarinets, it seems to
me that they will stand the test of time quite well - if properly cared
for......certainly as well as any other plastic clarinet.

Roger Garrett
IWU