 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: melissa
Date: 2002-11-23 17:29
But i am going to ask anyway. What is the differnce between a plastic clarinet, and a wooden clarinet? like in tone, and sound quality. I currently own a wooden Selmer clarinet, but i am thinking about selling it and buying a plastic one beacuse i can't use the wooden one for marching band (and i don't even know why that is) so my question is what is the real differnce between a wooden one and a plastic one.
i also have another question, i just broke my mouthpeice for my clarinet and i need to buy a new one, what kind should i get?
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-11-23 18:37
First of all, Melissa, there never was, and never will be, a stupid *question*. Your question is an important one that many of us will be faced with at some time in our clarinet-playing lives.
In my experience and, let me emphasize - my personal opinion, there is practically no difference in tone, sound quality, between wood, plastic or hard rubber or... the list goes on and on. The differences lie in the quality of manufacture. Student, intermediate or professional quality instruments, not only clarinets, are found in most major brands throughout their manufacturing histories regardless of materials. The argument on both sides of this issue will likely continue beyond our ability to care any more :| Personally, again in my opinion, if I had any choice in the matter, I'd find an okay inexpensive plastic horn just for marching/outdoor use and keep the wood Selmer (good horn) for concert or ensemble season.
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you over your mouthpiece. For a replacement, only you can determine what mouthpiece you like. Try as many different ones as you can. If you really loved the one that died, try to find another like it or one as close as you can come to that standard.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2002-11-23 19:10
it is a matter of personal perferance, and pride of ownership. It is like what is the differance between a ford and a bmw. they will both take you to the same place at the same speed, but it a matter of taste and how much money do you want to spend and what do you want out of the item.
One other thing don't take the wooden clarinet out in a rain storm., and keep your bmw in the garage.
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Author: melissa
Date: 2002-11-23 19:14
oh yeah, and what are you suppossed to do if your clarinet (plastic) gets exteremly wet, and soggy in the rain?
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Author: melissa
Date: 2002-11-23 20:17
Eugepae says thanks for the help!!!! And for convincing her not to sell me!!!
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-11-23 20:35
Wooden clarinets in good condition (in my own personal experience, for whatever it's worth) will stand up to some pretty harsh conditions. Extreme soaking and sudden temperature changes are most likely to cause them trouble.
Vitos(LeBlanc) and Bundys(Selmer) are pretty safe bets. I'm sure there are others but those two are ones I'm most familiar with. Check for key alignment by sight to make sure the keys aren't bent so the pads won't cover the holes well. Don't be afraid to try to wiggle the keys side-to-side, they'll withstand moderate but firm sideways pushing and pulling; there should be little, if any, noticeable side 'play'. Check pad seating, either by 'pressure' or 'vacuum' testing. Take each section, top, bottom, individually... cover the open finger holes with one hand and close any open pad keys, block the open end with the other. Then blow or suck lightly. There should be very definite resistance. If there's a leak you'll know it right away, more noticeable by blowing in my experience. Check the tenon corks; they should be clean and intact. Look the instrument over carefully for any signs of cracking or chipping. Minor checks and scratches, even fairly deep scratches, are okay, but major gouges and dents are not a good sign. If you like the looks of it, then play test it.
Plastic clarinets with stainless steel springs can survive flood conditions and major downpours, ordinary pads Will Not Live through the ordeal. There are pads that will endure major wetting, but they're a bit more expensive. If you go that route, just wipe everything dry after its shower and you should be perfectly okay to play another day.
Although I'm sure I've not covered all the bases, you can get the general idea. Take your time and be choosey.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2002-11-23 21:54
From my experience on this board, there are only 2 stupid questions:
1) There are no stupid questions.
and:
2) Should I oil my R13?
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-11-23 22:00
Plastic(still) suffers from a "cheap" image that's why the mggrs who make them still don't refer to them as plastic. In my opinion there's nothing cheap or wrong with plastic as a material for clarinets. Because wood was around before manmade plastics it became the "standard" for use and enjoyed pre-eminence even after plastic came into use. IF the same care and accessories(pads,springs etc) were used on plastic horns as on wood ones I question if anyone could tell any difference in the playability and tone. Perhaps the Greenline type horns will become the standard with time and then wood will still be desirable because of its scarcity.
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2002-11-24 00:24
Ralph G, I don't get it. Number 1 isn't a question, and why is should I oil my R13 a dumb question?
Just another silly Aussie.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2002-11-24 04:03
I guess it was just a joke that only my bizarre sense of humor found funny. The R13 thing just gets asked all the time and yet there is no firm answer. I don't even know if I should oil my own R13.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-11-24 06:50
melissa: I believe ron b has given you 100% sound information. I would like to add a few comments:
1. I would prefer being forced at gunpoint to drink unblended Merlot rather than to play a high-quality wood Clarinet in wet or freezing weather.
2. A wood clarinet can suffer destructive damage when exposed to "the elements," especially rain or freezing conditions. A plastic instrument will almost certainly survive in either instance.
3. In order to prevent *any* damage from inclement weather, you must have completely waterproof pads and corks, as well as rustproof springs on your plastic Clarinet. Also be sure that moving parts have been and continue to be properly cleaned and oiled to prevent other rusting and to ensure smooth operation. This is not an odious requirement, as it can be completed in an hour or so following any potentially hazardous performance.
4. My "combat" Clarinet is a Vito V-40, which Leblanc bills as an "intermediate" instrument. It's a better stick than a lot of lesser wood instruments and can play rings around plenty of tnem. Forest Aten, Prinicipal Clarinetist of the Dallas Opera (who shows up occasionally on this Bulletin Board), was a consultant to Leblanc in the design of the V-40, and my hat's off to him and the Leblanc people for this excellent instrument. Other suppliers no doubt also offer better quality plastic or similar composition instruments (the Buffet R-13 Greenline is a very high-grade example) which may be expected to hold up very well in weather conditions that would slay an ordinary wood Clarinet.
There was one request for an instrument resommendation on this board from a professional Clarinetist in a military band. After I suggested a V-40, he replied: "Oh, I already have my Vito for outside performances. I want a nice wooden instrument for indoor concerts." If you need to perform in various conditions and can possibly afford it, owning both is an ideal situation.
'
Regards,
John
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2002-11-24 21:34
Ralph G., Hey, I take exception to that "Should I oil my R13" being a stupid question. I learned that I had to go contrary to the advise on this board and go ahead and oil the R13, because the condensation was bubbling through the keys like crazy at the most critical moments, like during an exam! (You should have seen the face of the accompanist.) The age of the instrument, the usage, and the environmental conditions made it necessary, at least for mine. When it's kept oiled from time to time the condensation just runs down the bottom of the bore away from the keys and I'm fine. So, yeah, that's a legitimate question too.
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