Klarinet Archive - Posting 000621.txt from 1998/09

From: GTGallant@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Wood Technology
Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 15:25:37 -0400

The recent discussion regarding cracking and it's preventative measures has
once again, brought out many strange opinions. One needs only study the wood
itself in order to understand why wood expands/contracts, which ultimately
leads to cracking. Most opinions and ideas on the matter are traditions
passed on from teacher to student. There's too much "booga-booga" involved
when dealing with an instrument. For example, a recent post was about a
student's teacher claiming a new clarinet needed to be "taught" where the
right pitch was! This is absolutely absurd considering that a clarinet is
nothing more than wood or plastic and metal.

Wood technology is an actual field of study and explains the hows and whys of
different species. I have yet to see any reference to technical manuals -
that can even be purchased at a Barnes & Noble - regarding characteristics of
the particular wood that was being talked about. There are many factors that
can be integrated into the cracking equation, but I'll just discuss oiling
here. Grenadilla (ebony, mpingo, etc.) is extremely dense and absorbs very
little moisture and oil. As one lister stated, it is naturally oily and
doesn't require any additional oiling as a crack preventative. Clarinets are
oiled in the factory for cosmetic reasons only, and usually contain a dye to
cover up surface defects. Most cracks occur from rapid thermal expansion
and/or internal stresses. Lack of moisture could also be the culprit, but is
highly unlikely in very dense species.

In conclusion, I do not know of a test or device that can predict cracking in
a given model. Until then, no matter if you oil it or not, it's a crap shoot!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org