Klarinet Archive - Posting 000334.txt from 2001/10

From: Tom.Henson@-----.com
Subj: RE: [kl] Opperman Barrels
Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 22:13:24 -0400

Ken,

Thanks for a most detailed description and explanation of the Opperman
barrels.

Going to New York right now is not in my plans, so I guess I'll look at the
other alternatives available. It seems to me to be very hard to find a
person that has the right combination of experience and knowledge to do this
sort of thing properly. There are simply so many opinions on this subject.

I have to conclude that the right mouthpiece and barrel combination is a
very personal thing and is different from one person or instrument to
another. Thus my desire to experiment. Trying out various combinations and
brands can get expensive though, but may well be worth the time and expense.

You seem to feel very strongly about the personal side of making things
specifically for you and your instrument. Unfortunately, for those of us who
do not travel to the areas where these people live, it does make it harder
to do.

Ken said: << I play on an Opperman mouthpiece and barrels and also on Buffet
R-13s he has
tuned and voiced. I think there's nothing better, or even close.

However, even though he's in the New York phone book, you can't just call
him
up and order one. He says he makes each barrel to work best on your
particular clarinet and mouthpiece, and the bore varies according to the
particular year the instrument was made. You really have to come to his New

York and sit in his studio and let him set things up for you and the
particular way you play. The barrel on eBay will undoubtedly work better
than a stock Buffet barrel, but it won't be the same as one made
specifically
for your instrument.>>

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