Klarinet Archive - Posting 000637.txt from 2001/11

From: "CLARK FOBES " <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Reamers or "Don't try this at home"
Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2001 14:26:00 -0500

While I don't doubt Tony's success at reaming his instruments (he obviously
has some acoustical expertise) it is not something that I advocate most
players to try.

I am not trying to sit on information nor do i think any of this is in the
realm of "magic".
The problem is that in the hands of most players a little bit of information
(or even a lot of information) and no experience is dangerous.

Even Tony's information is not complete in the way he presented it. Yes you
can affect the twelfh in the manner that he explained, but if you are
reaming under a tone hole you will have a MORE dramatic affect on that
particular note (Sharper). Reaming is a rather severe action and an
insturment can be ruined very quickly. Reaming barrels requires some
experience as well. Yes you may be able to affect the pitch by enlarging a
barrel, but you will have completey changed the character and response. AND
YOU CAN'T PUT THE WOOD BACK ON. You may be able to reduce the bore with
finger nail polish or super glue, as Tony suggests, but you will never get
the response back to square one once the original dimension are changed.

Still, if you are willing to destroy several barrels worth upwards of $100
that's your perogative.

Reaming mouthpieces is even more of a gamble. If you have a bunch of junk
mouthpieces then experiment, but remember that unless you have several
mouthpieces from the same manufacturer, your results will won't be
consistent.

This is not magic, just 25 years of hard won experience.

Clark

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