Klarinet Archive - Posting 000624.txt from 2002/11

From: Deidre Calarco <dleigh@-----.org>
Subj: Re: [kl] GreenLine clarinets
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 23:57:32 -0500

On 11/14/02 11:30 AM, "Christy Erickson" <perickso@-----.net> wrote:

>
> I'm also wondering if these clarinets are any more or less likely to
> crack. Christy Erickson

My guess is, less likely. I'm a structural engineer and do both wood and
engineered wood design (among other things). Generally, the engineered wood
is stronger in every sense, is more consistent quality, has a higher modulus
of elasticity (meaning that it will deform less under stress), and has
better thermal properties. Basically, it has fewer internal variations in
structure. So, I'd predict that it would be much more resistant to cracks.

I'm sure that the product Buffet is using is more refined than the
engineered wood that's used in construction, just as the wood used in
clarinets is much higher quality than the types of wood we use. However,
I'd be surprised if the same principles didn't apply. My only concern would
be, does the sound of an instrument made of engineered wood have less
character than the sound created by a natural wood instrument, due to the
greater consistency and slightly different composition of the material?

-Dee C.

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