Author: mschmidt
Date: 2010-02-07 16:55
I've been playing this Bulgheroni rental oboe for a few weeks now, as my Marigaux was taken from my house by thieves. Obviously, a rental instrument is likely to be a poor specimen of the type, as it wasn't the first choice of those who wished to buy, and probably has seen some abuse by the relatively inexperienced players who have previously used it, so please don't generalize my comments to all Bulgheronis!
Anyway, this rental Bulgheroni probably has some hidden leaks, as the low notes are reluctant to speak. (I've spent a fair amount of time trying all sorts of adjustments, so I fear the problem may be with pads or pad seats.)
What I find remarkable is that the thing speaks much better in all ranges with reeds tied on Chudnow staples. I don't have many Chudnow staples, because I never managed to figure out how to get blanks that don't gap at the sides of the tip with these staples. But I did have a blank tied up on a Chudnow staple for some reason, and I made a reed with it, and it's my best reed with the Bulgheroni. I resurrected another reed on a Chudnow staple and it's my second-best with the Bulgheroni. Reeds made on Dunkel staples are ok; reeds made on my usual Guercio (Klopfer) d12 staples hardly speak at all on the Bulgheroni.
I find it hard to believe that the differences in staple bore shape have that much to do with the speaking of the instrument. But the area of the top opening of the staples is largest for the Chudnow, and smallest for the d12. Could it be that there just isn't enough air coming in through the top of the d12 staples to maintain the standing pressure waves in the instrument because of the leaks in the instrument?
Or is it the case that the bore tapers of d12 is just completely incompatible with the bore taper of the instrument? The Bulgheroni seems to be a narrower bore instrument (like my old Prestini, whose loss I also mourn) and is thus likely to have a less conical bore, just as the Chudnow staples seem to have a less conical bore. I can only get the d12 staples from Germany, where Marigaux is also very popular. Perhaps the d12s are uniquely suited to more conical-bore instruments like the Marigaux?
Mike
Still an Amateur, but not really middle-aged anymore
Post Edited (2010-02-07 16:56)
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