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Bore/body size tolerances?

Author: klook
Date: 2011-08-08 02:28

I'm wondering this:

When one is matching the bore of a barrel to the upper section of a clarinet, what is the typical range/tolerance in size variation?

To give an example, I'm working on an ancient Penzel Mueller Albert clarinet, I have a bunch of PM barrels and I tried a few with the clarinet, different lengths, and I found after measuring that all the barrels measure approx .590 whereas the clarinet upper bore is more like .575/.580

The clarinet doesn't seem to blow as free as it should. The intonation is okay, the 12ths are okay, but it doesn't seem right. The only other barrel I tried that was close to .575 blew alot nicer BUT it was too long, flat.

How close does one need to get? And, is the same true for matching the mpc to the upper bore of the barrel?

Its funny, I used to just go through and try different barrels/mpc's with a clarinets until I found a combo that played and sounded good and had decent intonation.

Then I get an inside bore gauge and I start to tweek out a little bit!

But it DOES make a difference. I totally found the best barrel for my C clarinet by matching the bore and that barrel makes a HUGE difference in the sound! If only it were a little longer.......

thanks!

mark

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Re: Bore/body size tolerances?

Author: Alseg
Date: 2011-08-08 12:58

Some models match between the barrel and the upper joint, others do not. Many aftermarket ones, including the orignial Moennigs, are significantly narrower at their exit than the Upper joint.
It depends on the instrument, the mouthpiece, and the player.

A pic of a good bore measurement device is attached. The plunger types do not measure in mutilple diameters.

Edit.....the pic did not load. I once attached it on a previous posting, and it worked, but this time it was rejected. If you want the pic, Klook, email me.

Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-

Post Edited (2011-08-08 13:01)

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Re: Bore/body size tolerances?

Author: Alseg
Date: 2011-08-08 23:57
Attachment: Internal caliper small jpg.jpg (14k)

Trying again to load internal West German Calipers

Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-

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Re: Bore/body size tolerances?

Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2011-08-09 23:29

Don't ream the upper joint to match your barrels. That will make the high clarion notes terribly sharp.

Bob Phillips

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