 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jnguyen
Date: 2016-01-19 07:11
I was told that I should get a new buffet barrel. I'm looking at the chadash, icon, and moennig. Anyone have any thoughts on which I should get?
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2016-01-19 07:53
Hello Joshua!
What brings his decision on? What are you playing now? If I can ask more - how long have you been playing? What model clarinet, mouthpiece and reeds do you play? What ensembles are you playing in? Are you in school? And is this being guided by a teacher? What are your long-term goals?
If you don't mind, I will share much, once I know more! I'm an older experienced professional woodwind player who has tried pretty much everything out there, and if you're open to actual real-world wdvice, I can probably help you!
Let us know more about your situation, then get ready!
Thank You!
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2016-01-19 08:13
I will watch this thread with keenness! I am pretty new to the clarinet, so was wondering what difference all the changing of barrels makes!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2016-01-19 10:29
I'd say it depends on what precisely what you are trying to accomplish.......with the understanding that the barrel will only make nuanced differences to your playing.
The Moening is an interesting case, I had the opportunity to try three hand picked by Greg Smith to use with some of his mouthpieces. Of those three, one stood out as an amazing combination with the mouthpiece I chose in terms of how much it projected. However, it also featured an irreconcilable intonation problem with the shortest tube notes (third line Bb and second space A). That particular barrel threw these notes up too high compared to everything else around it and I could not use it.
So without further information, I'd say, just be sure you test the barrels you are interested in thoroughly with a tuner. You can just play on it a bit to get a general sense of its response or timbre first, but then make sure you hit all the intonation hot spots BEFORE you buy!
....................Paul Aviles
Post Edited (2016-01-19 17:55)
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2016-01-19 17:58
I find the Buffet ICON barrels to be quite good. I have several, one of which is one of my best barrels. All products vary so test several.
I want to echo what Paul said above. No matter what else a particular barrel does for you, check intonation first and very carefully. Nothing can throw off your intonation faster than a poorly matched barrel. If it alters your intonation for the worse, reject it immediately.
In my view, the most important feature of a barrel is to let you IMPROVE intonation.
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
World Class Clarinet Mouthpieces
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2016-01-20 07:04
I use the Chadash barrel in 66mm, but have had success with just about everything. Steven's comment is most telling: what are you trying to accomplish with the new barrel?
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Author: jnguyen
Date: 2016-01-20 08:34
I'm actually a 9th grader and I have been playing for about two years. I just got my R13 buffet clarinet about 4 months ago and am using Vandoren V21's and an M30 mouthpiece. One of my teachers at school recommended that I get a new barrel to improve the focus of my sound. I really want to have a barrel that will do just that and allow lots of flexibility.
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2016-01-20 08:35
Any of the aforementioned barrels should work well.
Maybe try swapping the V21 reeds for the V12?
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2016-01-20 16:45
I got to sit with Hans Moenig for a bit and learn the art of clarinet repair. About a year.
It seemed that every shipment of barrels from Buffet he'd be pretty mad. He'd have to adjust them, they were never right. He'd swear with a heavy German accent. I played them when they were right and they were great. He used a reamer to fix them most of the time. The ones now that you get from Buffet just aren't right. Sorry Buffet, if you are reading this. The ones you are making are often stuffy.
On a good note, I do like most of your 64mm Buffet barrels.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2016-01-20 16:58
With regards to sound production - it's difficult to communicate. I understand flexibility. The M30 should allow for that, but I wonder if the mouthpiece is a little advanced for you and that is what the issue is.
Steve Ocone
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2016-01-20 17:21
I agree with Steve. Mouthpieces have been developed to emphasize special characteristics of sound. Jon Manasse has recommended the Vandoren M30 to "open up the sound" and make it rounder and richer rather than add more focus. For players looking to add more focus and compactness to their tone, other mouthpiece models such as the Vandoren M13 and the Reserve X0 might be a better choice because they were specifically designed to emphasize those qualities and also have a closer facing that might be easier to control.
When trying barrels for your Buffet, don't forget the rubber ones; some of them have very good focus. For example, the Chedeville barrel designed by Allan Segal and the two new rubber barrels now offered by Brad Behn.
Post Edited (2016-01-20 17:51)
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2016-01-20 23:39
Joshua -
I remember 9th grade (dimly). I received my R13 at that time too! Only thing it was back in 1969!
There are a lot of factors to your sound. The barrel may help your focus, but probably not too much on the flexibility part of your search. V21 reeds are pretty good, usually help bring a pretty fluid sound. That part shouldn't hurt your search for flexibility. I do have my doubts about the M30 mouthpiece being a help to you. But then, I really have a big dislike for any stock mouthpiece (Vandoren, Rico, D'Addario, etc. They're ALL awful).
Barrels get complicated, too. I personally use a Chadash on my Buffet R13. I found better focus in the throat tones with the Chadash than the Moennig barrels, and I did go through several dozen of each before settling on mine.
On my Selmer clarinets, I've found that the Clark Fobes Cocobola Barrels with the Hard Rubber inserts work rather well, I use a 65mm for A and a 66mm for the Bb Selmer. And Clark Fobes makes it a point that the A and Bb need different barrels, a difference in bore and taper needed.
Now, it seems to me that you are ready to invest in a barrel. I would rather counsel you to invest in a quality custom mouthpiece instead, or a mouthpiece and barrel combination.
My barrel search came after an extensive period of getting totally at home with a custom professional mouthpiece.
Greg Smith has fabulous mouthpieces, and he also has mouthpiece/barrel matches available, usually a Chadash. Also - Walter Grabner (who contributed to this thread earlier) is a world-class mouthpiece craftsman, Call him, discuss what you want, and his advice is golden! Or you may wish to consider Clark Fobes, who is also a wonderful mouthpiece artisan. Grabner, Smith or Fobes can supply you with a mouthpiece "for life" that will help you enjoy clarinet more, help your sound, projection, intonation and flexibility, all for around $225 to $300, depending who or what.
After you have a mouthpiece you love, try some barrels, but I'll bet your need for one will decrease with an acquisition of a quality custom mouthpiece for your world-class R13 clarinet!
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
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