Klarinet Archive - Posting 000722.txt from 2002/11

From: b5w@-----.net (William Wright)
Subj: Re: [kl] Dark Sound - Inappropriate language
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 23:59:10 -0500

<><> Patricia=A0A.=A0Smith wrote:
I am DYING trying to try a Howarth.

Howarth makes an "S2" and an "S3".

The S2 has a larger bore and a noticeably ....umm....the word begins
with the 4th letter in the English alphabet.... sound. The S2 has very
low resistance, regardless of the mouthpiece you choose. I tried a
number of instruments at a ClarinetFest, and none of them were as
easy-blowing (breathing?) as the S2 is. The S2 tone is noticeably less
focused, similar to what a person may expect from a company who earned
their initial reputation making oboes. I sometimes describe it as "the
old English sound".

The S3 is a newer model with smaller bore. I've never played one
myself, but the Howarth rep described it as "more focused with the clear
centered tone that is now favored in classical performance. Higher
resistance."

I will also say that the shape and placement of S2's right pinkie keys
fits my hand better than those of my plastic Yamaha YCL-20. So if you
especially like or dislike YCL-20's keys, you can draw the appropriate
inference about Howarth's. I had to ask a technician to bend my YCL-20
right pinkie keys and the G# key.

Cheers,
Bill

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