Klarinet Archive - Posting 001508.txt from 1998/04

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [klarinet] All Metal Clarinets
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 06:10:43 -0400

At 06:07 PM 4/26/98 -0700, Jason Hsien wrote:
>Okay... this is a concept foreign to me. An all metal clarinet?
>
>Now, if the clarinet is simply made with metal, but thick walled, etc...,
>then never mind, but if it's thin walled (ie- saxophone), it makes me
>question the quality of sound out of one. Wouldn't it sound more like a
>soprano sax or something similar, rather than a clarinet? Also, and this
>really confuses me, how are open keys worked? Especially those with levers
>above them and the screws and all that which are put into the horn, but
>hidden away from the interior by the wall of wood.
>
>Any details are welcome. I just do not understand this.
>
Apparently you have led a sheltered life. Metal clarinets are thin-walled.
The tone holes protrude from the body so that the opening is at the same
height it would be if the body had the normal thickness. The mounting
posts for the keys are taller to compensate, and the thumbrest is also
built out from the body. They play just like any other clarinet, and the
sound is unquestionable that of a clarinet, NOT a soprano sax, since the
BORE is that of a clarinet. But they can get a little "ringy" on some notes.

>P.S. FYI, eBay is auctioning off a 1920's Slide Sax. At last check, the bid
>was at $155.

I saw that! Fascinating!

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.

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