Klarinet Archive - Posting 000215.txt from 1998/03

From: BooseyH <BooseyH@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Scientific American Article
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 1998 10:07:56 -0500

In regards to the article published in Scientific American, I would like to
clear up a few misconceptions and inaccuracies. Firstly, Boosey & Hawkes
Musical Instruments, Inc. is located in Libertyville, Illinois, but we do not
manufacture from this facility. Both we and Buffet Crampon are owned by the
Boosey & Hawkes Group. Our facility serves as the distributor of Buffet
products in North America.

Secondly, I would like to respond to the statement "...Boosey & Hawkes, has
been unsuccessful at replenishing M'Pingo trees." Boosey & Hawkes does not
own areas of forest where M'Pingo is grown. Buffet, like all manufacturers,
purchases already cut M'Pingo from foresters in Africa. Since we have no
control over the growth of these trees (which take 60 years to grow to
maturity), we have attempted to not waste the wood that we already have.
This leads to "Green LIne" clarinets and oboes that use the wood that is left
over from the processing of 100% Grenadilla instruments.

Lastly, Green Line instruments undergo 80 tons of pressure, not the 80 pounds
mentioned in the article.

Part of the misconceptions may have to do with English being my second
language and perhaps I was not able to express myself in the most understood
way possible.

Best Regards,
Francois Kloc
Woodwind Product Specialist
Boosey & Hawkes Musical Instruments, Inc.