Clarinet Factory Tour2

Natural drying and mechanical drying of wood

Drilling the bore

Body surface treatment

Tone hole formation

Natural drying and mechanical drying of wood
Clarinets are made from grenadilla, which is dried for a period of several years. Both natural drying and computer-controlled mechanical drying processes are used.

Drilling the bore
First the bore is drilled mechanically in the wood blank. Then the exterior is shaped on a computer-controlled lattice.

Body surface treatment
In order to preserve the natural acoustics of granadila and the wood's quality, and to protect the body from cracking due to the effects of moisture and other factors, we use Yamaha's proprietary oil to finish the body.

Tone hole formation
Tone holes are formed mechanically on the body, and the body interior is undercut. This step has a tremendous impact on a clarinet's sound quality. The holes in high-end handmade models are carefully hand-cut and fine-tuned by skilled craftsmen.

1. Tone hole (cross section)
2. Set the cutter inside the body.
3. Screw in the handle to lift the cutter from the outside.
4. Cut the inside with the cutter while lifting the handle upward.
5. Undercutting (completed)

What's undercutting?
Undercutting involves shaping the interior of the tonehole for improved intonation and response.


	Natural drying and mechanical drying of wood
	Drilling the bore
	Body surface treatment
	Tone hole formation

Natural drying and mechanical drying of wood Clarinets are made from grenadilla, which is dried for a period of several years. Both natural drying and computer-controlled mechanical drying processes are used.
Drilling the bore First the bore is drilled mechanically in the wood blank. Then the exterior is shaped on a computer-controlled lattice.

Body surface treatment In order to preserve the natural acoustics of granadila and the wood's quality, and to protect the body from cracking due to the effects of moisture and other factors, we use Yamaha's proprietary oil to finish the body.
Tone hole formation Tone holes are formed mechanically on the body, and the body interior is undercut. This step has a tremendous impact on a clarinet's sound quality. The holes in high-end handmade models are carefully hand-cut and fine-tuned by skilled craftsmen.

1. Tone hole (cross section) 2. Set the cutter inside the body. 3. Screw in the handle to lift the cutter from the outside. 4. Cut the inside with the cutter while lifting the handle upward. 5. Undercutting (completed)