Klarinet Archive - Posting 001141.txt from 1999/11

From: George Kidder <gkidder@-----.org>
Subj: Re: [kl] Bundy Eb tuning
Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 02:28:00 -0500

I have the same instrument (except Vandoran 5RV mouthpiece), same problem
and same (partial) solution. In my case, the spacer was made from one of
the Selmer plastic ones sold for Bb's, which has the right size inside hole
to fit between the mouthpiece and the barrel. I filed down the outside
until it would enter the barrel socket. This is much easier than trying to
alter the inside hole, and irregularities will have much less effect.

At 08:55 AM 11/29/1999 -0700, you wrote:
>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
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
>> Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
>> Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
>> Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org
>
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
>Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
>Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
>Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org
>

-----------------------
George Kidder
MDIBL
gkidder@-----.org

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org