 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-01-13 17:04
Attachment: Thumb plate.jpg (42k)
Ok earlier I had made an observation about the possible sound damping characteristics of the right thumb in direct contact with the clarinet body. This was initially brought about from information on the Austrian hand made Gerold clarinets. I enclose a photo to illustrate the following statement from the website:
"Due to its position close to an oscillation node, this grenadilla wood thumb plate also has a very positive effect on the clarinet's oscillation behaviour."
I feel a need to temper my enthusiasm (?) .........slightly. You can see from the image that there is a wooden ovate 'plate' that not only sits under where the thumb is placed but it also to what the thumb rest is attached.
As I used cork (only under the thumb) on a Greenline clarinet, I noticed a fairly obvious bump in resonance to not only the notes in that area of the horn in the chalumeau and clarion but the altissimo as well.
HOWEVER, as I attempted this with two wooden horns, the difference was very subtle and perhaps may not even have been that noticeable if I had not had the Greenline example in the first place.
My guess is that wood is comprised of longitudinal fibers so this 'node point' to which Gerold Angerer refers is broadened over a wider area within the wooden body. But, the Greenline being a composite material only is affected at the point of 'damping' as I would like to refer to it.
There was also a much more difficult gluing process involved on the wooden horns since there is stain involved that leaches in contact with the hobby glue (Duco) that I was using on my 3/16 inch thickness of cork. It took about three gluings (and dryings) to make it work on wood ....... which I don't recommend unless you don't mind some surface blemishing.
Bottom line is that an actual 'plate' of some thickness and length/width (as depicted in the image) will probably be necessary to replicate the audible difference in wood that shows up in composite clarinets.
...................Paul Aviles
Post Edited (2012-01-13 17:30)
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-01-13 21:33
Would the use of a Ridenour thumb saddle give a similar result, do you think? It would serve to isolate the thumb from the body of the instrument. I use one on a B&H Emperor and don't notice any change of timbre, although the beneficial effects on my thumb are very noticeable.
Tony F.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-01-13 23:54
Dear Tony F,
Thank you for suggesting this product. I thought I knew what this was but only now see from the video what is going on.
This should work if there is any real affect going on. Listen to the G/D and A/E notes the most. Again, there is much more affect on a Greenline but you can pick up some difference on wood.
................Paul Aviles
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