 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2004-08-20 23:02
I'm very interested in getting a Backun barrel and/or bell. But seeing as they are kind of high-priced, I may not be able to afford both.
So, I am curious. If you had to have one or the other, what would you choose? A better barrel or a better bell?
I've heard numerous things about both. I'm leaning more towards the barrel right now because I need to get a new one anyway or just some tuning rings because I play sharp with the one I have.
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Author: John_May
Date: 2004-08-20 23:12
Yes, the barrel makes a much greater difference than does the bell, as far as sound's concerned (Morrie's bells make a big difference to the weight, I'm sure). Especially if you find yourself playing sharp, you'll want to focus on the barrel. It will significantly improve both tuning and intonation. For 200$, it is, in my opinion, a good investment. Others on this board are a tad more skeptical
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2004-08-20 23:54
The mouthpiece, reed, and barrel have a strong influence over every note played, while the bell only has a stong influence over the notes played with most, or all of the fingers down. A good barrel is therefore more important than a good bell. I've seen people play without a bell and still sound pretty
decent.
http://paws.wcu.edu/thompson/april1schreiner.mov
John
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Author: hartt
Date: 2004-08-21 06:16
Bigno16
I was 16 once...upon a time.
Of the 2 elements, the bbl makes the greater difference. However.... (no, not the yes, but syndrome) just as a bbl has it's 'sweet' spot......turning it in 1/4 turns will invaribly show one spot with a slightly louder 'open g'.......the bell has the same but to a much lesser influence. Turning the bell in the same manner, will / may give you a slightly louder low E, F, F# and perhaps an influence on 12ths.
BTW, if you have an A clarinet, try playing your Bb with the A bell and listen.....with a tuner, of course.
As for the Backun setup; $500 for a bell ???? Nopper. (I could buy another r13 ![[happy]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley12.gif) )
The bbl....few yrs back a TSO player friend sent his set to Backun for 'the works'. They came back better but as he stated, they don't approach my best R13 set (with only o/h's; done). The work he had done was o/h, intonation, reaming the topmost part of the UJ bore (releive stuffiness?), register tube and of course a bbl. He states it made a difference but with all the other work done, who knows how much influence the bbl played in it.
I have a 66mm bbl that is fantastic. Howver, due to my playing flat (on any of my R13's, Bb or A's), is virtually useless to me as I use a 64mm.
When he has a performance, he borrows my stock 66mm Buffet bbl (1974)and leaves the Backun in his case. His Backun bbl does nothing for any of my R13's or Yamaha.
Consider reading the short chapter on BBls in David Pino's book, The Art of Clarinet Playing.
And yes, I'm still looking for the Holy Graille of 64mm bbls........and he's looking for a new set.
Have you considered choosing a better clarinet?
oh well
d
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Author: donald
Date: 2004-08-21 07:38
barrel
if you like your clarinet and think you'll have it for ages, get the best barrel you can and then do lots of practise. i'd recomend doing this no more than ONCE every 5 years if you can help it.....
donald
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2004-08-22 00:06
I do like my clarinet. If anything, I would change the mouthpiece (5RVLyre). It's not even a year old yet. Buffet R13. I got it around Christmas time in 2003. It plays pretty well. So I guess I should definitely go for the barrel, just wanted some reassurance. Thanks everyone.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-08-22 01:02
There IS a difference in the overall feel and sound of the Clarinet with just changing the Bell. Of course you would assume that the bell only affects the lowest notes on the Clarinet - but it doesn't.
The barrel is to me more important, but the bell does make a difference too.
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Author: donald
Date: 2004-08-22 03:24
i agree with David Blumberg- despite scepticism from people who don't play to a high standard... i have found that (for example) my Buffet R13 b flat clarinet plays and sounds SLIGHTLY better with another bell i own. My opinion on this was "blind tested" with the Principal clarinet and flute players of a major symphony, whose opinions confirmed mine. Unexpectedly the following three notes stood out as improved- top space G, the D and the B below (middle line B). I would have thought that only the B and C would have any improvement perceptible to a listener!
meanwhile
before you try out a bell it's worth rotating the one that came with the instrument to see if you can find a "sweet spot" (this is the case with my Eflat and Bflat clarinets, but has no effect on my A clarinet)
donald
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-08-22 15:53
Morrie also says that you can put the Bb Bell on the A Clarinet (if it fits) and use it. So you would only be buying one bell.
The Barrels are NOT interchangable as the dimensions (not just the length) are different.
Sure would be easier to switch clarinets if that wasn't the case!!
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