Klarinet Archive - Posting 000025.txt from 1999/05

From: arehow <arehow@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Re:Albert clarinet evolution
Date: Sun, 2 May 1999 00:28:28 -0400

In our ongoing discussion of ALbert clarinet evolution, Dee Hays noted
that brass was relatively cheap, and said:
" More expensive metals seemed to be more suitable for the demands of
forming clarinet keys especially once the "cup" design for holding pads
was implemented. We also forget in our modern times how
very valuable needles were (like our needle springs). Housewives
guarded their sewing needles almost with their lives. Again brass is
not an appropriate material for needles or needle springs.

To really come to some good conclusions, one would have to thoroughly
dig into the ecomonics of the times, manufacturing costs, etc and do
some detailed economic models. Anyone out there game?"

In rebuttal, I hold in my lap a box with three antique Eb clarinets: A
Buffet Boehm systeme, boxwood with hemispherical brass keys, mid 19
century; a Buthod and Thibouville, Muller systeme, ditto materials,
ditto dates: a Buffet ALbert, early 20 c, grenadilla with chromed flat
maillechort keys. I am no metallurgist, but I do note that the Buffet
Boehm systeme instrument works very well with brass keys. So do
Saxophones. Interestingly, of the dozens of 19c clarinets and oboes and
bassoons that I own, all the boxwood insturrments have brass or sterling
silver keys, and all the blackwoods--every single one--have maillechort,
nickle silver or silver keys. Redwood instruments (rosewood,
palissandre) vary; the earlier ones are brass, the later, nickle silver.

I propose that the " ecomonics of the times, manufacturing costs, etc"
to which Dee refers, actually reflects taste in making instruments.
Silverish on black looks really nice; so does brass on boxwood. As
metals other than brass became available with progress in metallurgy,
metals other than old fashioned brass may have become sexier, not
necessarily better. Electric guitars have replaced acoustic clarinets
in pop music, for some 45 years; which instrument is "better"?

The needle springs on the Buffet, by the way, are of steel. Several are
blued steel and are obviously recent; others appear to be very, very
old. Could these be iron??

I am posting this note also to Early Clarinet, a list that discusses
just that topic. And, the URL for the American Musical Instrument
SOciety is www. amis. org

Robert Howe

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