Klarinet Archive - Posting 000806.txt from 1996/04

From: Everett Austin <austine@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Clark Fobes Barrels
Date: Sat, 27 Apr 1996 23:15:57 -0400

I would like to echo Dave Lane's comment s on Clark Fobes' barrels. I
had a similar experience with my old R-13: great ly improved with his
barrel in tone, intonation and response. I have RCs now, but if I
switched back to R13 would certainly use his barrels.

Everett Austin
Fairfax, California

On Sat, 27 Apr 1996,
Dave Lane wrote:

> Although I do repair work and restorations for others, I recently sent my
> new Prestige B-flat to Clark Fobes for adjustment and repadding. My purpose
> was to see what a much more experienced craftsman would do in the way of
> tuning and acoustics, and I was aware that Clark played a Prestige.
>
> I was very pleased with the job he did, and I've never owned a more
> responsive horn. However, that's not the best thing that came out of it.
>
> Clark sent two of his handmade barrels and a mouthpiece. The facing on the
> mouthpiece is much more open than I like, but is excellent anyway. I just
> can't say enough, however, about the Barrels!
>
> For those of you seeking a sound that some would describe as "dark", it
> would serve you very well to try one. I haven't found a piece of equipment
> that made such an immediate, positive difference in my playing since junior
> high when I replaced my silvertone mouthpiece with an HS*! Compared to a
> very good Buffet Moennig, the barrel is freer blowing, with a marked "bass
> boost", particularly in the Chalemeau, while providing excellent pitch
> correction in the high registers. I could detect no difference between the
> two barrels I tried; he will not be getting either of them back!
>
> A satisfied customer,
>
> Dave Lane
>