 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JC
Date: 2001-05-30 17:08
I've just gotten my first wooden clarinet, a Selmer CL 201. Because I ordered it from WW&BW I can send it back in up to two weeks. I was wondering, what do you think about this instrument? I'm in the 9th grade and have played clarinet for four years. Is it a good intermediate horn? Also, are there any special things I need to know about caring for a wooden horn (besides basic things like not playing outside)?
Thanks in advance!
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Author: David Kinder
Date: 2001-05-30 23:55
JC,
Congrats on a new horn! Selmer's are a very good brand - not my personal preference, but a great clarinet.
You'll want to learn how to use bore oil on your clarinet to help prevent cracks and moisture build-up on the inside. Any clarinet teacher or dealer "should" be able to show you how to properly take care of it.
BTW, how much did you pay for it? I only ask because if it's around the same amount as a Buffet E-11, I (personally) would consider a switch. (I personally think Buffet's have a sweeter tone quality.) Some Leblancs are great too. The main thing is "Are YOU happy with it?"
All the best!
Dave Kinder
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Author: Joseph O'Kelly
Date: 2001-05-31 01:37
I would not recomend bore oil on a quality clarinet. It changes the tonallity of the instrument. I was told NEVER to use it and that professionals never do. I have experienced the differencde after recieving a clarinet back from a repair guy who bore oiled it.
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-05-31 01:45
Joseph,
I do oil the bore of clarinets during the overhaul and repad process. I think that it is important to keep the wood in great shape. Not only do I oil the bore but I also oil the outside and wax the wood. I use all natural oils and waxes. There are several threads on this if you care to search them. I can not any tonal difference before/after oiling. New clarinets are usually sufficiently oiled from the factory and do not require bore oiling. Search Sneezy for some threads by L. Omar Henderson a.k.a. the "Doctor" of Doctor's products. His research is worth a good read.
John
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2001-05-31 14:35
Thanks for the kind words John. I hope that the scientific research that myself and others bring to the BB will debunk some of the myths and unfounded folklore muddling the clarinet world - probably not in my lifetime!!!. Of course you must make up your own mind on the issues after sifting through the available information. Often it is difficult, if not impossible to apply the scientific method to subjective issues such as tone and timbre but some of the most enlightened and qualified repair people and professional musicians are shifting product usage to include natural wood and cork preservatives. I can tell you my own experiences with the cork on my own clarinets. After several years the cork still looks new, and is pliable and compressable. Other friends that bought new horns at the same time and used petroleum based cork treatments have darkened, non-compressable, grease soaked cork that is now in need of replacement. The former is not a scientific experiment but I have presented on the BB in vitro experiments with cork treated with either natural products, one type of synthetic, and petroleum based grease that indicates that using the petroleum based products leads to premature breakdown of the cork cellualar structure. Follow the manufacturers recommendations about oiling the wood. It depends on the environmental conditions that the horn is subjected to in the future if it needs more frequent oiling (extremely dry conditions - wet) to preserve the wood. Controlling the moisture content of the wood through the use of the proper natural oils (many people who speak out against oiling the wood have used the wrong oils - let's compare apples with apples ! ) will keep the resonance qualities of the wood more consistent than wood that fluctuates in moisture content. Great luck with your new horn.
The Doctor
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-05-31 16:12
If you are careful with your instrument you can use it in all kinds of climates and conditions. If you make sure to warm it up gradually and make sure you're doing the routine oiling, you can play it outside. It's good to have a back up instrument for outdoors, but if not, you can get away with it with meticulous care.
I also prefer the Buffet E-11, but used a Selmer Bundy in grade school, so it's a matter of choice.
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