 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: C. Hogue
Date: 2001-05-09 20:17
OK, through the recent thread about the C clarinet on eBay, I learned the size of a bass clarinet without the neck & bell is 34 inches (though I could have measured my own!). Approximately how long is a c clarinet with and without the mouthpiece?
And while we're at it, how about the dimensions of clarinets in other keys? I want to make a chart of this information for myself.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2001-05-09 20:28
My soprano C measures 20 and 7/8th inches without the mouthpiece.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-05-09 21:25
Hi C H - My sop Conn C is 20 3/8" Without mp, and 23 1/8" With my "shortened" Bb mp and I can comfortably play C cl and oboe parts in tune. The mp is an H Couf Special 3*, whose bore closely matches that of the barrel. I like the Revner lig to [perhaps] cut down its "bright" tone! Don
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Author: Bill
Date: 2001-05-09 21:33
Correction to my post. My soprano C is the same as Don's, measuring 20 3/8 inches.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-05-09 22:03
From the bottom of the bell to the top of the barrel, my Buffet instruments measure as follows:
C -- 20-5/16" (barrel 1-15/16")
Bb -- a shade under 23-1/2"
A -- 25"
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-05-10 02:42
I presume the bell has the most variable length, and I presume that its length will be acoustically related to its diamaeter and internal flare shape. So a study of length may have little significance. Perhaps you should measure to the centre of the last tone hole.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-05-10 13:20
A very good point, Gordon, I am hoping that we get a number of measurements [prob. of Bbs, maybe others] which may show the "length-range" of the differing key horns. I agree that bells may be of a variety of lengths, [and of max diameter] and still be good acoustically. I think that the most definitive measurement might be that of the length of just the UJ and LJ [assembled, low E horns only! and no "built in" barrel] where I guess the various bore measurements [3 or 4] would be the major influence as to total length. I should think that to be more precise than 1/8 -1/4" [range] doesnt have much meaning, since I believe most of our posters are more interested in defining a soprano cl's pitch [Eb, D, C, B, Bb, A etc] by its "length" as sometimes given on EBAY!! With pre-1910 cls, the business of the HP/LP horns is another question. Got comples, didn't it? Don
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Author: C. Hogue
Date: 2001-05-10 14:03
Don is right on! I don't expect clarinets in the same key to have EXACTLY the same length. But a somewhat accurate measurement of the length can flag the difference between an A and a Bb soprano (or a Bb and a C). "Somewhat accurate" means within about 1/2 an inch for the U.S. or a centimeter or so for the world.
For those scientifically inclined, length measurement is a proxy for blowing a horn and using a tuner to determine what key it's in. A tape measure ain't a tuner (which gives a definitive answer) but it can provide a pretty good indication. And people who don't have a tuner (and can't play clarinet!) usually have and can use a tape measure or ruler.
As Don points out, length measurement probably wouldn't peg a high pitch horn.
Length is just one of the many pieces of data -- and one of the few quantitative pieces of information -- that can be used in making a bidding decision on eBay or buying a great but unplayable non-Bb horn with nasty pads at a pawn shop, estate sale, etc. It's a risky business. The more data, the better the decision.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-05-10 15:04
Thank YOU, C H, you express my thots very well [toward well-informed decisions!!] More is better here! My old single-body Pruefer Bb, a 19/7 [no low Eb][like Dee's?] is exactly 23" barrel to bell, and 18 3/8" upper to lower tenons, if anyone is still interested in this thread!! Fun, Don
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-05-10 16:09
Don,
My Pruefer is a standard Boehm, no extra keys.
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2001-05-12 00:36
Another point, Gordon, is that my full Boehm Bb goes a half step lower than my R13 Bb horn. If you measured the FB to the center of the bottom pad it would masqurade as an A clarinet!
<br><hr><img src="http://www.jps.net/horlick/clarinet.jpg"><hr>
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-05-12 19:28
Before this interesting thread enters the archives, I want to add this info. My Kohlert A cl is 24 3/8" barrel to bell, My Penzel-Mueller Full Boehm is 24 5/8", My Selmer F B is 24 7/8" . Conclusion, essentially the same length to achieve the lowest [pedal?] note. Others may wish to add more. Don
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