 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bwilber
Date: 2006-06-16 11:02
How can a person tell for sure if the clarinet is made of rosewood or grenadilla? I have a clarinet that has a lot of redish orange streaks in it, but it is very dark, almost like grenadilla. It almost has the appearance of a polished rock with streaks in it. Could it be rosewood and if so, is a clarinet made of rosewood more valuable than one made of grenadilla? Thanks
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Author: BobD
Date: 2006-06-16 13:44
There are so many "black wood" varieties that the whole subject is confusing. I question if the term grenadilla has any meaning today.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-06-16 13:56
Grenadilla being wood is a natural and hugely variable product - so you'll see grenadilla that is pitch black or medium brown in colour and everything in between, also grenadilla with a burr effect (as in burr Yew) and even flamed grenadilla.
But you know if you can see the grain and it's streaks it hasn't been masked by slapping a load of black paint on or smothered with dye like some companies do to give a false sense of uniformity, and these natural streaks that show up should be regarded with beauty than with contempt.
What make is your clarinet? I worked on a Leblanc Opus a little while back and the bell had some remarkable stripes in it, and after oiling these certainly looked spectacular.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: bwilber
Date: 2006-06-16 14:20
Thanks for the information about grenadilla. It's the Noblet 27 that I was telling about that has the loose rings. I got it off of Ebay and am in the process of fixing it up to make it playable again. I have had a lot of black wood clarinets and this is the most beautiful. I feel very fortunate to have gotten it. Can a person use a wax of some sort to bring out the beauty of the wood even more and if so, what is the kind recommended by experts? Thanks again for all your help.
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2006-06-16 15:13
Click on the sponsor list for accessories, and check out The Doctor's Products.
He has cleaners, waxes, oils, etc. Many people on this board (me included) think highly of his products.
I've used some of his products and been satisfied. My only affiliation with The Doctor's Products is as a customer.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-06-16 15:33
Noblets were only made in grenadilla (and sometimes with a plastic barrel), rosewood as well as kingwood and cocobolo are reserved mainly for pro instruments (even though there are those cheap rosewood things on eBay).
You can buff the wood to bring the shine up and show off the grain (take all the keys and springs off first, but you can leave the pillars in) - I use a buffing machine, but if you haven't got access to one then get some of that cotton stocking-type material (used for polishing cars with) or strips of cotton and strop the joints with this and some tripoli or wax, but NEVER use rouge on wood as a polishing compound. And take care not to catch any toneholes.
Then use a clean dry rag and polish up the joints and the shine will develop, and the grain will be more visible.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2006-06-16 15:47)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-06-16 16:54
I believe we have discussed the "heavy/dense" woods before here [or on the Bass and Early clar sites]. I have a copy of a US Forest Service brochure, [mentioned earlier] with expert discussion of rosewoods and blackwoods etc with physical properties and location-countries. I'll try to re-find it [moved !]. Will be glad to reproduce bits of it in response to specific ?'s. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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