May 10, 2007 ELKHART, INDIANA- Gemstone Musical Instruments has introduced an ABS and Grenadilla wood clarinet into the Andino line of student and step up clarinets. These instruments are the result of a collaboration between Luis Rossi, internationally known clarinet virtuoso and maker of handcrafted clarinets, and Chris French, the Director of the Andino Clarinet Division at Gemstone Musical Instruments. Fresh on the heals of the successful hard rubber clarinet, well recognized for its’ superior bore design and intonation, there is now a choice of materials to fulfill expectations in different markets.

 

 “The collaboration with Luis Rossi for this clarinet was very fruitful”, states Chris French. “The result is a clarinet with intonation, even-ness of scale, and sound rivaling that of a professional instrument. Luis Rossi and I spent more than one year developing the bore design of the Andino in order to achieve this result. Its subtle internal diameter changes, flares and tapers are the heart of the Andino sound and tuning. Of course tone hole location and size, precise undercutting, and a solid mechanism all contribute to the great feel and sound of the instrument.”

 

Gemstone Musical Instruments (www.gemstonemusical.com) is a leading provider of high quality musical instruments including Andino Clarinets, Gemeinhardt Flutes, Roy Seaman Piccolos, Trevor James Woodwinds, Sankyo Flutes, Stephanhouser Saxophones, Artisan Strings, W. Nirschl, Walter Meister Nirschl, and Ed. Kruspe Brass, in order to serve a wide range of players, from students to professionals. For further information contact Mark Hutchens, Vice President of Marketing, P.O. Box 788, Elkhart, Indiana 46515, phone (574) 295-5280, ext 103.