The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Full Boehm disadvantages

Author: RoBass
Date: 2010-06-21 07:24

Regarding the main item of the thread I would make an addendum as follows: The bore of the articulated C#-hole is the only disadvantage I can see for full Boehm models. This hole doesn't fit well in every condition because the player sometimes has to rotate the upper part versus the lower. Then the art. C# is covered the half and sounding poorly.
The second will be, that this bore will be done through the tenon - the weakest and most sensitive part of the clarinet. For single-body clarinets this could be nice, but for splitted bodies is a dangerous detail. It's a well known starting point for cracks in the upper part ;-(

But as Franklin asked in detail, the adding of a low Eb is not possible to a standard model. You can add a left hand Eb-lever, you can add a articulated C# and fork Bb, but not the lower notes.
The reason for is, that the bore of a long (low Eb) version has not the same geometry like for shorter models. Most of state of the art models have polycylindrical bores. This bore type is very sensitiv to minor geometric imperfections. Very small damages or changes of the bore (f.i. done by using a scraper or metallic oil brush) increase the blowing resistance and waste the intonation of the low tones.
An additional tone hole and an elongation of the lower part will come terrible ;-)

The price for a modification of a wooden standard model is in Germany appr. 150-300,- EUR (second Eb, fork Bb). The price for a new lower joint and new adjustment of intonation could be more than a new instrument completely.

kindly
Roman

PS: But I would recommend a second Eb-lever all the time. This is the most powerful helping tool for me ;-) Fork Bb is helpful too, and the rest is luxury...

PS2: I own a Chinese/Taiwanese 19/7 model made of ebonite. It's a very interesting instrument and fitting very well to my physis. The price was 60,-EUR and to overhaul and adjust was appr. 250,-EUR, and it's worth every penny! Open your eyes for some middle aged full models and bring them to a specialist to tune and adjust to your demands!

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics

Author

Date

Full Boehm disadvantages new

bmcgar

2010-03-21 21:39