 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Carl L
Date: 2002-09-15 13:24
I've seen both a Selmer Signature and Leblanc Opus that were brown in color. Is this a rosewood? Do these horns sound deeper/mellower than the "black" horns?
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-09-15 14:31
Stain on the wood has no effect on tone production.
Sorry to tell you that plating materials on keys don't either.
Market forces drove the staining of most clarinets an almost opaque black in the 1950's, and it was a standard practice.
Raw M'pingo/Ebony/Crocus/Rosewood can have a lovely grain pattern
(figure) but may also have some imperfections showing... staining covers all.
The most Mellow instrument I have ever heard was a hard rubber Pruefer played by Kenny Davern. The most strident, hard-driving clarinet I have ever heard was... oh yeah, the same horn!
It's not the clubs... it's the Tiger!
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-09-15 16:11
The Opus may have been rosewood. Apparently, Leblanc has made at least a few (perhaps before they introduced the Signature VII). Richard Hawkins sold one on eBay awhile back. The purchaser was a contributor to this board so perhaps he will respond. I have not heard of Selmer's making a rosewood Signature (but that doesn't mean they haven't). More likely, especially if it was a fairly dark brown, it was unstained grenadilla.
A few people who have owned and/or played rosewood instruments claim that they have a "lighter, sweeter sound" more suited for chamber music. I'm merely reporting what they've said. Frankly, I'm skeptical and suspect that, if there is a difference in sound, it is due to design differences rather than material. I haven't played one but I know of no reason why a rosewood instrument should not be capable of producing pretty much the same sound as grenadilla, hard rubber or plastic.
Best regards,
jnk
who suspects Tiger would not win many tournaments on the tour if he had to play with my clubs but who acknowledges that I could never come close to meeting entry requirements even if I had his
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2002-09-16 03:58
Every one is entitle in his/her own opinion, but this theory that material makes no deference in sound is just BS.........V
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-09-16 11:51
Vytas wrote:
>
> Every one is entitle in his/her own opinion, but this
> theory that material makes no deference in sound is just
> BS.........V
Vytas,
Please provide concrete, well-thought out, and well documented counter-examples.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-09-16 14:38
I was at the first solo recital Ricardo Morales gave, just after he was appointed principal in the Met. He played a rosewood Leblanc that I think had just the Opus trademark. I'm sure it had no "Symphonie VII" trade marking. People said it was a prototype for a new model Leblanc was working on, presumably the Symphonie VII. I doubt that the Opus was ever officially available in rosewood.
I had always assumed that the Symphonie VII was the same design as the Opus, with the wood the only difference. If Barbara Siewert is listening, perhaps she can fill us in.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: William
Date: 2002-09-16 16:37
I knew Tom Ridenour when he was the Leblanc accoustician who designed their "new" line of clarinets, and he always said that the Sonata, Concerto and Opus models were accoustically the same instruments--only the quality of the wood and some special keywork being different. Ricardo's instrument was a special order (at that time) and was essentially an Opus in rosewood. It is my understanding that they later became the Symphony VIIs.
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Author: Metalclarinetgigman
Date: 2002-09-18 15:26
I had a beautiful pair of E.J. Albert clarinets with a Barret action, sadly I sold them about two years ago when I reverted back to Boehm system, they sounded wonderful, particularly on the higher notes, they also seemed to project well, I stopped using a microphone on most gigs, they were made of Cocus Wood and they where very light, so I assume that it was a light but dense wood, the grain in them was visble and very attractive, I belive that Cocus Wood comes from Central America and is not used anymore.
I never use a microphone now unless it is absoloutely essntial.
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