Klarinet Archive - Posting 000992.txt from 1999/04

From: Sfdr@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Re: moenning technical info
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 21:17:37 -0400

In a message dated 4/22/99 9:54:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
Stephen_G_Senderoff@-----.com writes:

<< 1. How much did the Marcellus, Wright, McLane's and McGenness R-13 specs
differ?

2. Were there any specs that remained common? These players all had very
different approaches to clarinet tone production (e. g Wright double lip),
but in each case was uniquely beautiful...

3. Did Moenning experiment with bells, e.g., shape, internal dimensions,
mass, etc.

4. UN related, but maybe you can answer this....why did the register vent
key wrap around the upper joint early in the century, but move to the back
of the joint actuated by a straight key later??? acoustical consideration?
mechanical consideration??

I swear I can get a better throat Bb out of my Carl Fisher/Buffet double
stamp A from the 1920's than out of my 80xxx R-13Bb...

regards, steve

>>

Thanks for the E mail.
The clarinet prototypes varied in many ways. Each player had his own
set up and tone concepts. The McLane clarinet had a much larger bore and
excessive amount of undercutting 1930 era. Marcellus used a much longer
barrel which allowed Moennig to open the tone hole cylinders more.This played
a large part in the mystic of the great Marcellus tone. The Wright clarinet
had a slightly smaller barrel which gave him more flexibility. The McGennis
set up was very similar to McLane's clarinet dimensions.
Yes, the Moennig bell was also available to great players of the 20th
century. He copied the bore dimensions of the different prototypes and gave
the customer a choice depending on there school of playing. The Moennng bell
helped the resonance of the entire horn and brought up the flat low register
of today's A clarinets. The bell also improved the timbre of the throat Bb
immensely. I have the Moennig bells in stock if you would like to try one.
The wrap around octave vent was designed to prevent water from getting
into the hole.
Because of the clumsy key, the pad was very difficult to keep in adjustment
and seated properly. The shorter back register key was much lighter and
durable. And the smaller diameter, longer, back register vent allowed for
better 12th intervals especially on the SHARP High A, B and C of most newer
clarinets.
If you would like a catalog of Moennig products, please send me your
address.

Thank you,

Alvin Swiney

Affordable Music Co.

P. O. Box 4245

Virginia Beach, VA 23454

E mail sfdr@-----.com

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