"Jim Lesurf" wrote in message
...
In article , Iain Churches
wrote:


Recently, when Jim and I were discussing the construction of woodwinds,
I asked a chap who had contacted me directly (a former designer at
Boosey and Hawkes fropm the time when Buffet Crampon, makers of the
world's finest clarinets, oboes and bassoons were part of the same
concern) to join the discussion and give us "the real lowdown"

He replied: "And be called witless and incompetent by people who
probably don't know which end of a clarinet to blow into? No thanks!"

Shame that you decided to tell him that I'd call him "witless and
incompetent".

That would indeed have been a shame, but is not
what happened. My words to this gentleman we
(quote) "It would be both interesting and informative
if you would agree to join the UKRA discussion,
and give us some facts about the design of conical vs
tubular musical instruments"

He read the discussion so far, and formed his own
conclusions before telling me his decision not to join it,
and the reason behind his decision, which I copied
word for word from his reply to me:

He said, "And be called witless and incompetent by
people who probably don't know which end of a
clarinet to blow into? No thanks!"

He has however been most kind in giving me a further
contact in France, an instrument maker whom I would
like to visit later in the Spring.

Iain