The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Zoom barrel long term user experiences?

Author: rtaylor
Date: 2020-10-08 18:23

Hi,

Just wondering what experiences long term users of the Zoom adjustable barrel are having?

I've used one for some time and the convenience for clarinet switching between the instruments is a real plus for me. The intonation is a little better but not an epiphany as some accounts I've read talk about. I know that some shops offer individual models for both B-flat and A clarinet but frankly I didn't see the logic in that given that the barrel is infinitely adjustable.

Cheers,
Robert

Reply To Message

Re: Zoom barrel long term user experiences?

Author: HarryBiscuit
Date: 2020-10-10 23:49

I've had no reason to be anything other than very happy with my P&S Zoom barrel on my pair of Yamaha CSG-IIIs.

Every now and then I switch back to the stock barrel, just to check no small problems with the P&S have been growing unnoticed over time, though this so far has never been the case. To be honest I find no noticeable difference between the two if both are fully pushed in/at minimum length... *maybe* the stock is just a tiny tiny bit less resistant for the top notes, but even now I've still not entirely convinced myself that that isn't just minute differences in embouchure, reed placement, or whatever.
In any case if (as is almost always the case) the barrel needs to be pulled out then it's no contest at all - with the P&S I know my that clarinets, once accurately tuned, will play just like they do in any other scenario.

Just occasionally after a longer playing session I notice that the barrel stiffens up a little, possibly due to expansion of the inner sleeve, or maybe water getting between the sleeve and the lower body of the barrel. Either way, the next time I get it out of the case it's back to normal again.

As far as CSGs are concerned both the A and Bb barrels are identical in the first place, but this often isn't true for other makes. I can only imagine you may have seen zoom barrels designed separately for A and Bb if the make in question has different bore diameters?

Harry

Reply To Message

Avail. Forums | Threaded View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

The Clarinet Pages

For Sale
Put your ads for items you'd like to sell here. Free! Please, no more than two at a time - ads removed after two weeks.