Klarinet Archive - Posting 001093.txt from 1999/11

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Bundy Eb tuning
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 21:57:32 -0500

My first reaction to this post is that you, Peter, are probably on the right
track. Most makers of student model clarinets shorten the top joint. This is
true of Bundy (aka Selmer USA), Vito, Yamaha and Buffet. I'm guessing that Bundy
Eb clarinets would follow this same design philosophy.

"Spacers" or tuning rings are not new. Unfortunately, I know of no one who
offers sets of tuning rings for Eb soprano clarinets so the player must fashion
his own. They make a huge difference and allow the player to bring his
instrument to a more correct length without having the throat tones fall into
the basement.

To establish a correct length tune to first finger F#. This is the only note on
the clarinet that is not influenced by pad height but is highly influenced by
pulls made at the barrel. Tuning rings must be used when determining this pull.

At the same time, one must determine if the mouthpiece is helping or hurting
tuning overall. Only by trying and playing several different mouthpieces can one
get a feel for what might play best in tune on any given instrument.

Student model clarinets of any size are set up with less precision and attention
to pad heights. As the clarinet in question is a smaller size, greater care and
exactness are needed. A little change on an effer is a much greater change than
what it would be on a bass clarinet. (Everything is in scale.)

While a Bundy of any size can only be improved just so much, the amount of
improvement possible when put into the hands of a fine repairman who knows his
stuff and is willing to lavish TLC on the instrument can produce significant and
worthwhile improvements.

Not too long ago, I worked on a new Vito Eb soprano. Spring tensions were
horrendous but fixable. Overall tuning was very descent. It would be fun to have
a go at both student instruments and see how they compared on a tuning chart.

Peter Honor wrote:

> In a recent posting the question of Bundy Eb barrels was briefly
> discussed; I own a plastic Eb Bundy. I find that to play in tune I have
> to use a spacer of just over 1/8" to extend the barrel.
> I have tried a longer barrel but that didn't seem to improve the
> situation. Two other Eb Bundy players that I know also use a similar
> spacer. I'm using a Selmer C* mouthpiece, which is slightly better than
> the stock mouthpiece that came with the instrument. Any comments or
> advice would be most welcome.
> Peter Honor
>
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