Klarinet Archive - Posting 000860.txt from 2000/09

From: Tony@-----.uk (Tony Pay)
Subj: Re: [kl] Those little things....
Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2000 05:02:55 -0400

On Wed, 27 Sep 2000 01:22:46 -0700 (PDT), Bilwright@-----.net said:

> Tony Pay wrote:
>
> > The Buffet Crampon tester used to twiddle the bell around until he
> > found the optimum position before the insignia was embossed. I saw
> > it done in a TV programme about Buffet Crampon.
>
> Whew! Thanks! I've already had to ask Howarth a couple of questions
> prior to machining the tenon socket on my barrel (they've been
> extraordinarily communicative and willing to help), and I was worried
> that one more question might be the straw that destroyed their
> patience with me.
>
> Now I don't have to ask them a trivial question.

Howarths don't do it with their own clarinets. But obviously you can
find out for yourself what you think is the best position, both with
Buffet and with Howarth.

I should say that sometimes twiddling the bell makes no difference at
all, and if someone were to say that I'm kidding myself that it *ever*
makes a difference, I wouldn't bother arguing. It's just so hard to
make sure that you're not fooling yourself.

On one hand, it's rare that the machining is perfectly symmetrical, or
at any rate, that the match at the joint is perfectly symmetrical (the
wood might move after being turned, you see), so you can imagine that
twiddling it would make a difference.

On the other hand, you can stick quite a large amount of stuff --
blutak, wax, cardboard, string -- up the bore of an instrument, and
alter the sound surprisingly little.

> > I don't think you'll have been significantly disadvantaged, Bill, by
> > not knowing. I rarely bother to check that it's lined up.
>
> Heh! You doubt that my tone is so beautiful and refined that this
> will make a difference?

As I said, I'm usually too busy myself thinking about the other
variables that might make a difference to the sound, to consider this
one overmuch.

I would be quite surprised if anyone else were very different.

Tony
--
_________ Tony Pay
|ony:-) 79 Southmoor Rd Tony@-----.uk
| |ay Oxford OX2 6RE GMN family artist: www.gmn.com
tel/fax 01865 553339

... It doesn't work, but it looks pretty.

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