fact vs factoid: the case for hard rubber

[@paulineb66]

I have a Lyrique 576. It’s always fun in my community band when the weather turns bad and the players with wood clarinets start panicking. I never have to worry. Thanks, Tom.

[@oquefilmaragora]

I had no idea about hard rubber clarinets. But I sincerely want one now that I've learned about it. It makes a lot of sense, and living in a city with a beach on the side, I want a material that is both durable and good-sounding. I think that a lot of time artists (of any sort) can get a little purist about the way of doing things. Time changes, things evolve. I'd still want to test one anyway, thought I'd buy it online just for the good reviews alone. Congratulations Mr. Ridenour.

[@priit103]

I just bought yesterday used (2014) Lyrique Libertas and can confirm, that it's absolutely amazing clarinet.

[@klarinetta]

I recently saw a video from a clarinetist who has been making videos of him play testing many different models of clarinets by different makers and most if not all of them are made of wood. Then I saw video of him playing one of your clarinets. I know you make at least one wooden model or at least I saw you talk about it in one of your videos some time ago. I listened to the video and I said immediately woww this clarinet is so even in sound throughout the registers and even players playing on super expensive wooden clarinets don't have such even sound. And I asked this player if this was your wooden or hard rubber model and he said hard rubber and I just could not believe it at all. I think you got something very special here.

[@avarmadillo]

Stefan, please note the two points I tried to make: 1. If hard rubber clarinets did not sound as well as wood clarinets how could players using hard rubber clarinets win national solo competitions? Why would players in major symphonies play hard rubber clarinets? Why would player after player dump their wood clarinets and only play hard rubber? Why would a long time professional clarinet player and teacher buy one of our hard rubber clarinets (after 30 years of playing wood), and then decide to use our clarinets in his music program IF hard rubber clarinets did not sound as well as wood? point 2: Since there is enough evidence to prove hard rubber clarinets are at least the equal in clarinet tone, note carefully that hard rubber does not have all the problems common to wood clarinets: inconsistent production, unstable dimensions that change with the seasons, cracking, binding joints, and "blowing out." If you can agree with point 1, then point 2 is a no brainer, and there's no rational reason to waste all that money paying more for a wood clarinet that delivers less in terms of features and benefits and is more problematic. Note: there's not rational reason, just a stupid one, prejudicial one: everyone plays them. There are two problems with that kind of thinking: No. 1, not everyone plays wood. Many players have switched or use both. No. 2. If people followed that reasoning for everything we'd still be riding horses instead of driving cars, because, don't you know: every one rides horses (in 1880)?

[@klarinetta]

William Ridenour great comment thanks

[@blevinsmusic]

I have a lyrique libertas II coming next week and I literally can't wait. It will be my third Ridenour. And no, it isn't because they "don't last" or anything. LOL. I LOVE them. I just wanted a II. I can't wait to play it.

[@alexzioek9680]

I believe hard rubber can make excellent woodwinds, even a carbon double bass can sound very fine but wood certainly is an absolutely beautiful, natural material with great variety of tonal effects as come with different species and nothing can change that. And what comes from the planet in a raw form is good for the planet afterall.

[@SydLightbodyOfficialMusic9]

SO, basically you're saying hard rubber are superior, but I do really prefer a wooden clarinet, I mean is it a significant difference? I just like the look of wood way better, the other clarinet player in band has a hard rubber clarinet but I find my tone to be a bit (better). But i want maximum tone quality. what should I do? at least give it a try?

[@billyboy647]

Yes, I'm saying a WELL-MADE, EXCELLENTLY DESIGNED AND FINISHED hard rubber clarinet is better than the wood clarinets on the market in virtually every respect. Your tone does not come from the clarinet. Your tone comes from your concept (what tone should sound like) and from your tone production mechanics (what you do behind your nose to make the sound). All your clarinet, if it is well made, is make it easier for you to produce the tone, tuning, and phrasing you "hear" in your concept.