Klarinet Archive - Posting 000740.txt from 2002/11

From: The Ciompi Family <deal5@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Howarth
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 23:59:28 -0500

P.S. Mine has a very long window and a very small tip opening. It plays
medium hard reeds best. Perhaps other mewmbers of the list might recognize
whether this is closer to today's S2 or S3?

Arturo

The Ciompi Family wrote:

> Dear Patricia,
> I have an old Howarth (pre S2, S3), and they are very special and
> different indeed. Would be glad to send it to you to try for the shipping
> costs.
>
> Regards,
>
> Arturo
>
> William Wright wrote:
>
> > <><> Patricia A. Smith 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
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------