Author: awildman
Date: 2018-01-01 02:34
"But I'm still sceptical whether a) there are factories that make ebonite clarinets with forged keys"
Doubtful, aside from the Uebel and Buffet examples(and maybe others?) we mentioned earlier. I think what you will find if you dig deep is that the clarinet market there is very very small. I studied a bit of Chinese music, and there just aren't keyed wind instruments similar to clarinet in the native tradition. Which makes Clarinet a Western instrument. Somebody in China would have to see an opportunity to make money in order for this to happen, which is not likely until Western music, and clarinet in particular, becomes more prevalent. Gotta have a good marketer to create need close to home, or somebody who can sell them outside China. Business arises when there is a need for them, and if there is no significant need, well, there you go.
As far as forged keys are concerned, there are most certainly factories that do such quality metalwork, and it would be a simple thing for a clarinet factory to outsource the key making to them. You're going to have to outsource the plating regardless. That sort of thing happens everywhere in the world. It doesn't matter, though. Good instrument is still good instrument even if the keys are made somewhere else (to your specs). There is, of course, a certain cachet to having a French clarinet or Italian violin, but we're not talking creme de la creme (i hope).
"b) a better quality product from China wouldn't still be cheaper than an Yamaha/Buffet ABS clarinet."
Assuming exact same quality with lower cost in materials and labor, of course you could price your wares cheaper than the competition. In the long run, the other makers would have to get their prices lower, and everything would mostly even out as the years pass. Simple economics, supply and demand and all that.
"I failed to understand if there is no market at all, how can these companies still survive? "
That's not what you said. You said there was a need. I agree with a market existing, but I don't believe there is a need. 'Market' and 'need' are similar, yes, but not the same. For example, there is a market for male enhancement pills(modern snake oil). Is there truly a need? Just because they sell(meaning there is a market), does that make them a legitimate medical product?
"For cost but without compromising the quality."
It's OK to just say cost. We all know the reason. Any global company would be at a severe disadvantage if they didn't explore keeping costs down. It's a hard thing to swallow, sometimes, but we are moving more and more towards a global economy rather than a domestic one. Unique cultural traits and products are slowly becoming watered-down in the process.
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The Clarinet BBoard
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