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Re: We all know it...

Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2014-03-14 08:52

Wanabe commented "Just from a spectators point of view, I can't agree with making a value judgement about the quality of the wood in a clarinet just by the ''heft'' of it. The key work of a clarinet is a significant portion of the weight of a clarinet. The weights of the bodies of two clarinets cannot be accurately compared with the key systems still on them. The two key systems are going to weigh different amounts".

Yes Wanabe , that has to be taken into consideration as well. It would all depend on what type of alloy the mechanism is made of. Various types of brass and 'German' silver (no actual silver is in this metal) alloys have been used over the years. It would be of interest if someone could give a general list of the types of alloys that have been used in woodwind mechanisms.
Obviously some alloys would have a higher specific gravity than other alloys.

It still doesn't alter the fact that the older wood is generally of a denser type.
This is easy to test out by just holding (hefting) the bells and barrels of a Clarinet (to keep things simple) Most have metal rings but they would not add up to much weight compared to the mass of the barrel or bell unless such rings were made of sterling silver.
With this simple test the old wood is obviously heavier (denser)
And yes, I do realize that various makes of barrels have different Shapes & lengths and bells have different thicknesses. We're not talking exact science here but I assume you get the general concept.

BJV
"The Clarinet is not a horn"

Skyfacer

Post Edited (2014-03-14 09:28)

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2014-03-13 00:02