Author: TomS
Date: 2015-02-24 03:45
Well ... I suspect that really and truly there are just moderate differences in sound between ABS plastic, wood and hard rubber. Some difference, for sure, not really daylight and dark. But, enough to be important.
I believe that if you had several clarinets with the same design but various materials, most blinded players would select hard rubber as the nicest sound ... it's because a softer material like hard rubber (and some softer hardwoods, like Rosewood) selectively attenuate some of the high overtones and removes the edge and brightness. There may be more physics going on as well, to account for the nice timbre ... Much of the differences that I think people hear is due to the acoustic design, not so much the material.
For example, I have a Rideonour Lyrique Libertas and a Lyrique Speranza (similar in design to the RCP-576), both in hard rubber, both play very well. The blow with different resistance and sound very different. Which do I like the best? It depends on what I am playing. I plan on acquiring an RCP-576BC because the Speranza was a student clarinet with fewer tweaks and refinements, but a great design and a wonderful value.
If your Normandy is in basically good shape, I'd consider getting it expertly overhauled and a fresh MP, ligature and barrel. You'd have money left over for a shoe box full of new reeds!
Tom
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