 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dave Spiegelthal
Date: 2000-12-01 20:58
I just finished a complete overhaul (with some modifications) of a 1960's-era Kohlert hard rubber bass clarinet, which is of identical design to my wood Kohlert bass of the same vintage (except of course for the body material, and having a one-piece body with a different l.h. C#-G# key). I made every effort to restore and tweak the hard rubber instrument exactly as I did the wood version, and finally got a chance to play both instruments side-by-side in public last night (at a wind ensemble rehearsal). Synopsis: They felt and sounded about as identical as two instruments could. To reduce the number of variables, I used the same neck and mouthpiece on both. If anything, the hard rubber version may have had a slightly "thicker" and more complex sound (which I like), but it was very subtle. Certainly none of the other musicians could tell them apart. I very much like the hard rubber one because I can transport and play it with little concern for temperature and humidity, whereas with wood instruments we always have to worry about cracking (although, in 20+ years of playing wood clarinets, I've never had one crack on me). The one thing I'm not sure about is the aesthetic acceptability of the olive-green tinge of the hard rubber.......
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Author: ron b
Date: 2000-12-01 22:50
Dave;
Very interesting, also informative, post.
I'm interested to know more about how you *feel* about your instruments. They both, obviously, are good players. You restored them yourself. So, you have lots of time invested in them.
Was one any more difficult than the other? I mean, did you have to spend more time on the 'first' one, wood one than the rubber one? Are you 'partial' to one or the other? I mean, for whatever reason(s), is there a 'sentimental' - or other - 'attachment' to one more than the other? Kinda like trying to compare your kids, I guess; there's really no rational way you can.
Do you like the rubber one because it's 'sturdier - hardier' ? Does the wood one require more respect because of it's more vulnerable nature?
I'm interested in this because I do, and I think perhaps we all do to some degree, have some sentimental (memories) attachment to our instruments. My horns aren't worth much to anyone but me - but I'd sure hate to have to give them up. Sorta like a favorite teddy bear or something.
I still have the one I used when I was in the military.
Another that I used exclusively on that six nite a week gig that lasted nearly a year.
... and so on.
Maybe I should get 'em bronzed - like baby shoes 
But they'd have no meaning to anyone else. Well, I guess, realistically, baby shoes don't either....
-- ron b --
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2000-12-02 06:29
Thanks for reporting back. Impressed with your honest appraisal. N ow, for further enlightenment , did Kohlert make a metal or ABS instrument......
Just joking.
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-12-03 03:46
I think it would be interesting to see a spectro on these horns to maybe pick up something the ear can't. Keep us posted if you try any other tests.
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Author: Dave Spiegelthal
Date: 2000-12-04 15:07
To answer Gordon's question first: The critical factor in this comparison is that my two instruments are of the same vintage and have (to the best of my ability to measure) identical bore dimensions, tonehole placement and amount of fraising (undercutting), and identical mechanism design (especially the critical register mechanism, and the throat B-flat/lower register vent which I have replaced on both instruments with one of my own manufacture). I'm sure that Kohlert would not have also made plastic and metal versions of this same instrument -- if they exist, I would expect a plastic version to be newer and possibly of a more student-level design, and if metal I'd expect it to be of vintage 1930's or older (with a much different design). So unfortunately I don't think we can extend the comparison any further......
As for Ron's remarks, I feel about my instruments the way I feel about cars -- the more work I've done on them myself, the more I feel that they are an extension of me and the more I enjoy playing (or driving) them. I could never get such satisfaction by driving an unmodified new car, or playing on a brand new, expensive Buffet or whatever bass clarinet. I've always preferred using the fruits of my own labor. And of course I've learned a tremendous amount (on both cars and instruments) by doing my own work --- I've always insisted on fully understanding the important devices in my life! (Can't help it, I'm a mechanical engineer by trade.)
As for restoration difficulty, I actually find hard rubber instruments to be a bit easier, because they drill/machine/sand/bond very well, and I don't have nearly the worries about chips and tearing that I do with wood. The older hard rubber clarinets I've purchased have been, on the average, in considerably better shape (body-wise) than the wooden clarinets of similar age --- the material just seems to better withstand age, neglect, and moisture better than wood --- the only downside is the olive-green discoloration which can mostly be gotten rid of by various methods (see previous posts, especially John Butler's). Interestingly, my "A" clarinet that I've been playing in orchestra is an old hard rubber instrument that plays better than any other "A" clarinet I've ever tried, wood or whatever! I got it cheap because it was literally broken in half -- fortunately the break was extremely clean and I was able to bond it back together and even hide the seam so that it's nearly invisible. The bond is very strong -- before I put the keys back on, I tried to bend and twist the bonded joint apart with all my might, and I couldn't do it! Hard rubber (properly sanded, levelled, and cleaned with acetone) bonds extremely well to itself with the proper adhesive -- I used the gel-type (thicker) cyanoacrylate (Loctite superglue, specifically), and it's held up fine so far (knock on wood! er, I mean, hard rubber!).
Regarding sentimental attachments, I haven't played either Kohlert long enough yet to develop such! Time will tell.
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