Klarinet Archive - Posting 000145.txt from 1995/10

From: GALVAN <GALVAN@-----.EDU>
Subj: Chadash barrel
Date: Sat, 7 Oct 1995 20:02:24 -0400

Some questions have been asked about Guy Chadash and his barrels. Students,
collegues and I have been playing around with these barrels for a year or so
now and have found some very favorable results. He just spent two days here at
Ithaca College with Rene Lesieux from Buffet Crampon, giving a very interesting
presentation on clarinet design and manufacture, including barrels. If I can
manage to paraphrase some of the basic information, I might help with an
answer or two.

The Chadash barrel is the first time since Moenig's barrel was introduced that
Buffet has allowed someone to put their name on Buffet barrels. Buffet sends
Chadash barrel "blanks" which he then reams in his design and sends back to
Buffet for distribution. He also keeps a certain number to sell himself. All
have the Buffet Crampon insignia. The design of the bore is a reverse taper,
much like the Moenig concept, the difference being the size and shape of the
taper. It is apparently one straight taper, not an "hourglass" double taper
as in some designs.

In playing them I felt in my own playing and in listening to the many students
who were testing them that there was a good control of the intonation, plus
a nice centering and warming of the sound. Some barrels would sound stuffy,
some would be more even in the sound of the overall scale than others, but there
was definately something worth investigating in the overall concept throughout
the group of barrels. We played 65, 66, and 67's. On my Buffet A I love the
center I'm able to find, and although they don't generally fit on the tenon
of my Concerto, the barrel he had on his instrument did. It lent a wonderful
"ping" to sound. As I often say, no piece of equipment is magic, and I have
found value in certain Moenig, Scott, and Springer barrels, but so far they
have certainly been worth the try for me and for my students.

Someone asked how to contact Chadash:
Chadash Clarinet
440 W. 41 St. - Suite 3-A
New York, NY 10036 U.S.A.
Tel 212/239-7187 Fax 212/239-0572

Stores, like Hickey's Music in Ithaca are carrying them as well.

I hope the information and opinions help.

Michael Galvan
Professor of Music (Clarinet)
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-3410
fax 607-274-1727
Galvan@-----.edu