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Re: plastic to wood

Author: William
Date: 2009-10-10 14:38

When I switched from my second clarinet, a Bundy Resonite (my first was a metal "no name"), what I immediately noticed was the change in tone quality and weight--the "new" Selmer CT seemed bulkier in body and heavier. Also, there was a different feel in my hands because of improved key design and action. Overall resistance was not remarkably different--I used the same mouthpiece, a HS** & reeds--but the new wood clarinet spoke easier, particularily in the upper registers. Just my recollections of 50 yrs ago. Actually, the transition from resonite to wood went smoothly and rather quickly, less than a week or so at most.

As for new wood clarinet "break in", you should probably follow your manufactuers recommendations--however, I never did. I have owned over 12 wood clarinets--effer to bass--over the years and I always started playing them "full time" from the first assembly on. I have never oiled any of my clarinets bores but have always been careful to swab after EVERY use/session and regularily (but lightly) grease the tendon corks. Maybe I am extremely lucky in getting good wood in all of my instruments but none has ever cracked and have required only regular professional tech maintainance two to three times a year for pads, corks and key oiling, etc.

Getting my first wood clarinet (at the time, just like Benny Goodmans, lol) was one of my happiest clarinet memories and I hope you enjoy getting to know yours--once you "go wood" you will never go back. Good clarinetting.

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