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: Ebonite vs. ABS

Author: clarnibass
Date: 2018-02-20 10:10

AFAIK Ebonite is a registered name for a product (like Delrin) and not the general name for it, but it is probably used as a general name too (like Delrin, Rubbermaid, etc.).

Another question is whether it is natural rubber or synthetic, though both are processed materials.

Hard rubber and ABS just have somewhat different properties but are also similar in some ways like any two "plastics". I really don't know what clarinet uses natural rubber or synthetic, good idea to ask the maker/seller.

ABS is a very common material for many products, like tools, maybe toys, etc. I can't remember if it's more common with cheaper tools or not.

Re the accurate bore from machining vs. molding, there are molded plastic products that are made by far more accurately than any clarinet.

>> intuitively that makes since to me. I achieve better acoustics with my Ridenour compared to a plastic model. <<

You are probably comparing two different clarinet, no? This makes the comparison of the material impossible.
Hard rubber was originally made to compete with wood, probably to make a cheaper alternative. I think that's why it was called Ebonite (to sound similar to Ebony).

Just because a material is natural or a "copy" of wood doesn't mean it would be better for clarinets... or anything. There are tons of processed and man-made materials that are much better for many things than "natural" materials (considering only the practical reasons). Wood isn't necessarily the best material for clarinets in some theoretical ideal existence. The best material might have not even been found or invented yet.

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics

Author

Date

Ebonite vs. ABS new

Kalashnikirby

2018-02-19 15:06