Klarinet Archive - Posting 000235.txt from 2006/03

From: Mark Charette <charette@-----.org>
Subj: Re: [kl] Other worlds
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2006 07:07:05 -0500

Ormondtoby Montoya wrote:
> Mark wrote:
>
>
>> Like any instrument, the fretboard is a
>> compromise
>>
>
> Question: Is it fair to say that these compromises of physical
> measurement --- as opposed to electronics and string construction ---
> are more *standardized* on electric basses than are the measurement
> compromises on a clarinet (wherein bore, hole diameter, undercut, etc
> etc all make a difference)?
>
>
Not as standardized as you might think; there's no "standard" fretboard
length, the intonation is a compromise between your fretboard length,
string type, bridge placement, and micro-tuner position, along with fret
height. The sustain primarily determined by bridge mass. The timbre
determined by string height above the pickup (which can be adjusted by
moving pole pieces or pickups, and some micro-tuners) along with pickup
types, pickup crossover wiring, and associated passive or active
electronics.
> I have the image that, since an electric bass lacks a sound cavity and
> associated sounding board, it is physically a simpler instrument until
> you begin to discuss the electronic and string setup. Is this true?
>
As yuou can see above, the family of electric guitars can be pretty near
as picky as a clarinet. It depends what you're looking for, what the
music requires, and whether you're playing in an ensemble - a
fixed-pitch instrument (like piano/electric piano) will cause most pros
to re-tune vis a vis playing with non-fixed pitch instruments.

Starting to sound familiar?

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