Hi,

I was wondering if a clarinet has metal guards (not sure what they`re called) on the bodies (where the clarinet`s connected), does it mean the clarinet is made of wood? How can I tell the difference between wood grain clarinets and clarinets made of real wood? Would the tonality of a clarinet be bad if the barrel and bell was made of resonite while the body is wooden? And for serial numbers, is there a place to use it for referencing (i.e. what model it would be?)?

Thanks and sorry for the bombardment of questions.

Mike,

Metal rims or any metal parts will not indicate if the clarinet is wood, plastic or hard rubber.

Some clarinets made of hard rubber, eg the Hanson clarinets made in the UK, look very similar to wood. Usually, if you hold the instrument up to the light and look down the bore, it`s pretty obvious.

Personally I don`t think a plastic bell will make a great difference. But, obviously, it has to match the rest of the clarinet.

The barrel could be thought of as an extension of the mouthpiece and serves to drive the air into the clarinet. One of my favourite barrels is a Pyne, made in the USA, and is plastic. So far, I don`t think it matter what the barrel or mouthpiece is made of. Some mouthpieces are made of glass.

The only clarinets that have a website with serial numbers is Buffet. I believe Leblanc will look it up for you if you write.

Steve