 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2006-09-13 21:38
What's the defference in these two clarinets? I think I read somewhere that the Forte clarinets are produced by Amati. Is this correct? I think I would like to get a C and would love some info on how these two horns compare.
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2006-09-13 21:49
Also, what is the bore diameter of the Forte? And what effect will the bore size have on the playing characteristics of the clarinet?
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2006-09-14 01:12
(Disclaimer- I am designer and seller of the Forte' Bb and C clarinets)
The Amati 351 C clarinet was the starting point for the Forte' C. Both have a top opening bore size of 0.595 mm and both have poly-cylindrical bores. We have changed some of the taper dimensions on the Forte' C bore as compared to the Amati C for tonal and intonation reasons.
The Amati C comes with a single barrel and ours tuned to A=442, the Forte' C comes with 2 barrels with a Moennig and Chadash tapers and tune to A=440.
The Amati C comes with leather pads, the Forte' C with Italian Pristinni kid pads.
We have moved and changed some of the tone hole sizes on the Forte' C compared to the Amati C for tuning and intonation issues. Undercutting tone holes is different between Amati C and Forte' C.
The Forte' C comes with the standard Forte' features which include the SOFAS (TM) alignment system for the bridge key, no jam sunken bridge key mechanism, ergonomic register and "Easy A" keys, extra support for the top trill key, and extra post and support for the B/E rod on the lower joint, and passive bell vent and Tuned Resonance Acoustic Chamber (TRAC) (TM) in the bell (C clarinet only).
The Amati C has stained and filled Grenadilla wood body, and the Forte' C an unstained and unfilled Grenadilla wood body. The Amati C has a stained Cocobolo wood bell and the Forte' a Grenadilla wood bell. Different oil is used to impregnate the wood between Amati C and Forte' C.
The Amati C has nickel plated power forged keywork while the Forte' C has silver plated power forged keywork.
The Amati C comes with a plastic mouthpiece and the Forte' C with no mouthpiece but designed for the standard Bb mouthpiece - an optimized Redwine mouthpiece available at additional cost.
The Amati C comes with a plastic formed case with no accessory area and the Forte' with a ballistic nylon case with accessory pocket.
No accessories come with the Amati C, the Forte' C comes with a Doctor's Products Black Legend Swab and Doctor Slick cork grease.
The warranty terms are different - check out the Amati web site and the Forte' web site for details.
L. Omar Henderson
Forte' Instrument Group - www.forteclarinet.com
Post Edited (2006-09-14 01:54)
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2006-09-14 02:54
Thanks so much Doc! That's what I was looking for. I will have to save up for a while, but I will certainly give you a buzz soon!
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Author: Iacuras
Date: 2006-09-14 03:22
Doc,
Are you planning on putting out a Pro Bb model anytime soon?
Steve
"If a pretty poster and a cute saying are all it takes to motivate you, you probably have a very easy job. The kind robots will be doing soon."
"If you can't learn to do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly."
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Author: marcia
Date: 2006-09-14 03:31
>passive bell vent
Omar
For the uninformed, could you please explain?
Thanks
Marcia
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2006-09-14 10:35
(Disclaimer - I am maker of the Forte' Bb and C clarinets)
The passive bell bent on the Forte' C clarinet is similar to holes found on the bells on some German system clarinets and oboes which is a hole in the bell which is designed to raise the tone of the low E/F which are notoriously flat on many clarinets. Some of the most expensive offerings by major manufacturers have an additional special key and tone hole which performs this function. The trick of course with the passive bell vent is not to mess up the clarion B and C or other notes with any attempt to make the low E/F in tune.
On the Forte' C we have combined the passive bell vent with the TRAC (see above), which is a similar element to those in the Backun bells and newest R-13's shipping now, to improve other aspects of tone and register shift articulation. The TRAC/bell vent is the subject of a patent application.
L. Omar Henderson
Forte' Instrument Group - www.forteclarinet.com
Post Edited (2006-09-14 10:51)
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2006-09-14 12:39
Omar, another question.......could you explain poly-cylindrical in simple terms. Thanks
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-09-14 13:18
Unless I'm wrong, poly-cylindrical means the bore diameter of the clarinet changes throughout its length.
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2006-09-14 13:25
(Disclaimer - I am seller of the Forte' Bb and C clarinets)
Poly-cylindrical bores were introduced en masse' in the 1950's as an alternative to the straight - one taper - bore for clarinets. Basically it is a bore with one major taper from top to bottom but with one or more changes in the angle or taper of the bore along the major taper. With this innovation instrument makers were able to change tuning for various tone holes along the major taper and to improve tone of the instrument. Changing the taper along the bore is probably the most complex feature of clarinet tuning because it affects not only the tone holes adjacent to the change but alters the total taper of the bore of the instrument and therefore all the notes played. Changes in taper can also affect resistance of the instrument. This is a simplistic overview of a very complex issue.
L. Omar Henderson
Forte' Instrument Group - www.forteclarinet.com
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Author: Chookasian Armenian Ensemble
Date: 2017-09-27 09:54
L. Omar Henderson
Forte Instrument Group www.forteclarinet.com
Dear Mr. Henderson,
I own a Selmer "C" Clarinet either from the 1950's or 60's. I have struggled with
playing this instrument in tune fro 40 years. The top joint, in the upper register
plays very sharp, going from "E" to high "E" above the staff.
I have a "C" Clarinet mouthpiece and barrel with the instrument.
Can you offer any suggestions for my clarinet's tuning? Can it be improved?
Do you repair "C" Clarinets to play in tune between the registers?
Thank you very much, I await your reply.
John Chookasian
chook3@qnis.net
John Chookasian
www.chookasian.com
chook3@qnis.net
(559) 213-1909
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