Klarinet Archive - Posting 000835.txt from 1998/02

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: klarinet-digest V1 #683
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 1998 14:12:43 -0500

On Mon, 23 Feb 1998 BCaslinger@-----.com wrote:

> Perhaps if any of the top instrument makers ever took the risk of
> producing a run of their top models in plastic and then distributed them
> to symphony musicians and top music schools, we might finally get some
> real evidence to support what many of us have maintained for quite some
> time.

It has already been done. Fox bassoons have been made in both plastic and
wood for some time, and quite a few people like the plastic ones better.
Also, in addition to the Loree oboes with a plastic top joint and wooden
lower joint and bell, they also will make an all-plastic oboe. I own one,
and it is a very fine instrument. I have had several professional oboists
play on it, and oftentimes they are not even able to tell that it is
plastic. Sometimes, someone will play on it and comment on how much they
like it. Then, when I tell them that it is all plastic, they suddenly
remember several points on which they find fault with the instrument.

Ed Lacy
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Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
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