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CSGII mini review and question

Author: KaiLiau
Date: 2017-08-21 01:50

Hello 1st post here and sorry for my English. Tried searching already but didn't find the answer I was looking for.

I just got a new (Soprano Bb) CSGII (sight unseen) to replace my 25 years old Buffet Festival 2 days ago. It was too good of a deal to pass. Overall I really like it and it does have a different but very pleasant sound. The best way I can describe is that its tone is more focused, centered, and cleaner but still warm with a nice blend of overtone. My Buffet festival, on the other hand, has wider spread of frequency spectrum in addition to its core frequency, especially the higher pitch overtone but this tone is less consistent from note to note. The overall intonation of Yamaha CSGII is great and I think it is easier to articulate in higher notes. I also like being able to play low F loud in tune.

Question: My CSGII came with two barrels, one 55mm and the other 54mm. The seller is trying to find me a 56.5mm that is supposed to ship with the clarinet (in US). With 55mm barrel trying to tune to 440hz. I need to pull out the barrel for about 1.5mm (visually). I am not sure if it's a habit developed from playing my Buffet or what, I find the open G and A above it are sharp for about 10 cents, while the throat Bb is flat for about the same amount (and a little stuffy compared to the Buffet). I can still manipulate my embouchure and tongue position to make all these in tune but doing this feels less natural to me. Is this normal coming from a Buffet?

I am not sure it's me trying to apply subconscious adjustments for the buffet to the yamaha or it is the clarinet needing adjustments. I don't know anybody who plays well enough around me to verify this issue.

Thanks for all the replies in advance.

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Re: CSGII mini review and question

Author: gwie
Date: 2017-08-21 06:45

When I switched from the R-13 to the CSG a decade ago, I had to spend a few months getting acclimated to the different behavior, especially in voicing the throat tones. However, in the end I found myself being much more relaxed overall, and doing less work to get them in tune.

Depending on your mouthpiece, you may want to get that longer barrel. When I had the Vandoren M15 (13 series) mouthpiece, I had to use a shorter 54mm barrel. With my Grabner K11, I ended up using a 55.5mm barrel that worked out very well most of the time, warmed up I pulled out 1mm.

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Re: CSGII mini review and question

Author: KaiLiau
Date: 2017-08-21 07:41

Thanks for the reply, gwie.

Sounds like I really need to spend time with it and tuner to train myself to get used to it.

The throat notes and open G are my biggest issue and I think it is relatively easy to fix with further practice.

I am using a regular B45 88 (not the lower pitch 13 series) which I have no issues when used with the Buffet. I will try the B45-13 I also have. I didn't like the sound with later so it has been put away for a while. The shop I bought the CSG from is ordering me a 56.5mm barrel which I will try once available.

Post Edited (2017-08-21 07:42)

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