 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: BandieSF
Date: 2008-03-11 23:44
I'll apologize ahead of time if this has been addressed already, but I couldn't find any topics regarding the comparison of these two specifically (in other, words yes I did use the search function).
I've been messing around with my two annoying stock Buffet barrels and researching my options for a new barrel. I've ordered a Buffet Moennig Bb 66mm barrel and have researched Fobes barrels. I'm interested in everyone's experience with these two barrels (aside from the fact that everyone's different).
I've also lightly considered the Buffet Chadash barrels, but am not too inclined to try them seeing as the general tendency for those seems to be they play brighter than the Buffet Moennig barrels, which I don't want.
-----
Current set-up:
Classical:
Strength 4 1/4 Legere Signature Series
Vandoren M13 Lyre
Jazz:
Strength 3 3/4 Legere Quebec
Pomarico Jazz*
Clarinets:
Buffet E11 Student Model
Buffet R13 Greenline
<http://operationhighschool.blogspot.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-03-12 00:28
Hi, I won’t go through the every one is different thing but I would advise you to add the Backun barrels to the ones to try. I’ve never tried the Forbes but I know the Moennig can be very focused and warm sounding. The Chadash reversed bore is fuller sounding than his others but must be custom ordered directly from him, no return. The fact is that it’s going to be different with every clarinet and mouthpiece so the only way, and I mean the only way to know is to order some of each and try them. I’ve used them all, except the Forbes, and now I use the Backun, but that’s for me, on my clarinets with my mouthpiece for the sound and feel that I look for. There just isn’t one fits all. ESP
Www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
In reference to Greg's post below, the Chadash I'm referring to looks just like his Buffet barrels with rings that he custom made for me some time ago, not his new ones without rings. At that time you had to order it and couldn't return it. I believe I had him make me three at that time, kept one and sold the others. I guess things have changed now that he's selling his new ones on the market. Very good!
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
Post Edited (2008-03-12 23:02)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gregory Smith ★2017
Date: 2008-03-12 01:13
Ed Said:
"The Chadash reversed bore is fuller sounding than his others but must be custom ordered directly from him, no return."
-------------------
To clarify:
If it's the non-Buffet, one-off, ring-less Guy Chadash barrel that's being referred to, the type made with his own aged Grenadilla for the production of his clarinets, this is no longer true.
I recently began an agreement with Guy to make these expressly for my business and they are indeed returnable to me.
Gregory Smith
http://www.gregory-smith.com
new model, new barrel
Post Edited (2008-03-12 01:18)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2008-03-12 01:55
I have been trying new barrels for my Buffet clarinet. I purchased a Fobes, Segal, Weber, and tried Chadash. My preference was the Weber....I tried three of these and picked one. The Fobes was very good....tone was too large for me . A friend of mine however quite likes the barrel and he is playing on it. We are both professional musicians. If you are trying to stay away from brightness the Fobes would be a good choice. It was big and robust but without as much ring to the sound as the Chadash. This ring might translate to brightness for some people.
Freelance woodwind performer
Post Edited (2008-03-12 02:04)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BandieSF
Date: 2008-03-12 02:01
I had looked at the Backun barrels, but I decided against it because, of all things, aesthetic reasons. That barrel would stand out from the other clarinets in my high school band more than I would like.
Also, I'm pretty sure the Chadash barrels being sold by Buffet have a similar taper to that of the Moennig barrels, but correct me if I'm wrong.
My plan is that if when I test the Moennig I'm not happy with the tone and intonnation, I'll returning it to Woodwind Brasswind for store credit to get a different one (as of now it'll be the Fobes).
I'm particularly interested in the general intonation of these and other barrels, as well as, to a lesser extent, experiences with the overall tonal differences.
-----
Current set-up:
Classical:
Strength 4 1/4 Legere Signature Series
Vandoren M13 Lyre
Jazz:
Strength 3 3/4 Legere Quebec
Pomarico Jazz*
Clarinets:
Buffet E11 Student Model
Buffet R13 Greenline
<http://operationhighschool.blogspot.com
Post Edited (2008-03-12 02:07)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: SVClarinet09
Date: 2008-03-12 02:31
Don't overlook the Muncy barrels sold on muncywinds.com
I think its cool to have a barrel that stick outs. That just my two cents. If I had the money for a backun, i'd get it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed
Date: 2008-03-12 02:35
It has been a while since I have played some of these back to back. That said, I can say that the Fobes barrels are excellent. The help to produce a very even, focussed and resonant tone. The tuning of the ones I have tried has been excellent. Tone from note to note and across registers has been remarkably even and consistent. They are definitely worth a try for anyone in the market for a barrel.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BandieSF
Date: 2008-03-12 03:03
That's another thing, money is pretty tight. I was lucky that my mom insisted on paying for the entire Moennig barrel, but I am, however, expected to pay the difference between the Moennig and the Fobes (or whatever barrel I decide to try) should I be unhappy with the Moennig.
For right now, a ringless barrel like the Fobes is about as far as I'm willing to push it. Maybe after college, where I would be willing to sacrifice such things as aesthetics for better tone, I'll expand my horizons and go for a Backun or something...
On the Muncy barrels, the synthetic barrel looks awfully similar to the one my lesson teacher in 8th grade almost had me get. He had one himself, though since that was before I cared about tone quality, I can't recall what it sounded like. But I probably won't want to get any of the others because of pricing. I'm trying to stick with barrels I can get at Woodwind and Brasswind since that's where I ordered the Moennig and they allow a 45 day trial period that will allow me to try the barrels without buying them all at once.
-----
Current set-up:
Classical:
Strength 4 1/4 Legere Signature Series
Vandoren M13 Lyre
Jazz:
Strength 3 3/4 Legere Quebec
Pomarico Jazz*
Clarinets:
Buffet E11 Student Model
Buffet R13 Greenline
<http://operationhighschool.blogspot.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-03-12 11:15
BandieSF,
Muncy also has a wooden barrel that is relatively new to the market.
With all the options you have through WWBW (and the understandable monetary commitment...although they DO refund that money minus the trial fee) you should probably just stick with those options at WWBW for the duration.
Also...although Moennig and Chadash barrels are similar concepts (and the reverse taper is an option provided by everyone) they are not the same. So if you can, don't just rule one out because it's supposed to be the similar.
Lastly: you should try any/everything at the same time to truly determine what is best!
James
Gnothi Seauton
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: feadog79
Date: 2008-03-12 11:58
For what it's worth, (and especially since it seems like you're tight on cash) I compared a Ridenour barrel (hard rubber) to a Moennig once and liked the Ridenour much better. Both improved the tone and intonation of the R13 I had at the time, but the Ridenour was a more noticeable improvement. I only compared 1 of each barrel, though...if you're trying different makes, it's better to try multiples of each!
At WWBW, the Ridenour sells for only $65. He sells them directly, as well.
J. Wilson
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BandieSF
Date: 2008-03-12 22:33
I ruled out the Chadash because it had, as I've been hearing, a tendency to have a brighter tone than the Moennig, and I didn't need a brighter sound than I currently have. I had originally planned on a Fobes, but I tried a Moennig at a lesson last week and liked how it played (at least I'm pretty sure it was a Moennig... I know for sure it was one of the barrels supplied by Buffet), so I ordered it first.
I say first because my plan is to try one barrel, decide if I like it or not. If not, chose the next barrel to try based on what I didn't like about the first one (for example, the Moennig ends up being too dark, so I try the Chadash next since it tends to have a brighter sound for most people).
I had looked at that Ridenour a while back in the early stages of my barrel-researching, but hadn't found many comments on it and wasn't so sure about it. I'll definitely consider it now that I know the one measly review on WWBW is accurate! One quick question on that barrel: Was the sound of the Ridenour darker or brighter compared to the Moennig? Info on the taper used on the Ridenour would be helpful as well.
Also, does anyone know if Williamson Music has a decent selection, if any, of barrels to try at their shops? If so I could go there and try barrels and save countless days of trying barrels one at a time (mom isn't too thrilled about ordering a bunch of barrels at once...).
-----
Current set-up:
Classical:
Strength 4 1/4 Legere Signature Series
Vandoren M13 Lyre
Jazz:
Strength 3 3/4 Legere Quebec
Pomarico Jazz*
Clarinets:
Buffet E11 Student Model
Buffet R13 Greenline
<http://operationhighschool.blogspot.com
Post Edited (2008-03-12 23:18)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: feadog79
Date: 2008-03-13 00:03
BandieSF:
The Moennig barrel I tried somewhat sweetened and darkened the sound of my instrument, and improved intonation a bit. To me, the Ridenour barrel did the same thing but to a more pronounced (and pleasing) degree, especially making the upper register more sweet and in tune. Keep in mind, I only compared one barrel to another, not several of each make.
To my knowledge, Tom Ridenour reams the barrels with both a cylindrical and reverse taper bore, depending on the specific model. If you want to know for sure, Google his name, find his website, and email him your questions. I've found him to be quite friendly and informative when describing his products.
Good luck with your barrel search!
J. Wilson
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: CharlestonDoubler
Date: 2008-03-13 00:31
I'll start with a disclaimer that what works for me may or may not work for you. We are all different!!
That being said, I played Moenning barrels for many years and then moved to Chadash barrels for an equally long period. Then, on to Fobes barrels which I played for about 3 years, and now I play on Ridenour barrels on both my R13 Bb and A.
Us gadget freaks are always looking for an edge to play better without practicing and trying to find that sound that "rings" in our ears. While I went from one barrel to the next with only small changes in the sound I heard, I jumped to the Ridenour barrels as soon as I tried them. They warmed up the sound, smoothed out the altissimo, and improved my overall intonation. For me, they made the biggest change of any barrel I have ever used.
I'm not trying to be a carnival barker for Tom, but just giving my humble opinion.
What works for me may or may not work for you. We are all different!!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BandieSF
Date: 2008-03-13 01:05
These are all extremely helpful suggestions. I googled Ridenour and found there are two bore options (one for higher-pitched mouthpieces and one for lower-pitched ones; I'd assume my M13 Lyre is a lower as it's an American-pitch mouthpiece).
-----
Current set-up:
Classical:
Strength 4 1/4 Legere Signature Series
Vandoren M13 Lyre
Jazz:
Strength 3 3/4 Legere Quebec
Pomarico Jazz*
Clarinets:
Buffet E11 Student Model
Buffet R13 Greenline
<http://operationhighschool.blogspot.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2011-02-20 22:43
I've never tried a Moennig, but I use a Fobes barrel that I bought a few years ago on my early 70s R-13. I think this barrel has given me a little more focus to my sound.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
