 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ray Swing
Date: 1999-07-20 15:16
What makes one barrel different from another? The taper? The inside diameter? Constriction? What else? Do those of you who have tried various barrels really hear any difference? Variations in mouthpiece design I can understand but it's difficult for me to understand the barrel impact.
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Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 1999-07-20 15:45
I think the answer to your question is yes.
When I bought a new mouthpiece from Clark Fobes nearly two years ago. I also bought a new barrel. It makes a distinct difference in the sound for the better. Once in a while I try the original R-13 barrel and I immediately revert back to the Fobes barrel. I also tried it on a Buffet Festival once and thought it improved the sound of that instrument also.
Your milage may very. I am sure that reeds, mouthpiece, and the instrument itself all have an effect on how a barrel performs for an individual.
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Author: Dave Spiegelthal
Date: 1999-07-20 16:22
I have a theory that every link in the chain matters, but the farther down you get, the less effect. The most important determinant of sound is the player himself, followed by the mouthpiece/reed combination, followed by the instrument (which, in my "theory", includes the barrel). The portion of the instrument below the barrel is much more sensitive than the barrel itself, because of the presence of pads (which must seal perfectly and open to sufficient height), and because of the existence of toneholes (which have to be drilled in precisely the right location, be of the right diameter and height, and preferably have chamfered/undercut entrances and/or exits). The barrel, being a "non-moving, non-sealing" part, is much less critical even though it is physically higher in the chain (i.e. closer in distance to the source of the sound, the player). So all a barrel has to have are length, diameter, and taper dimensions that are reasonably good, in order to function. In summary, then, it does have some effect on the overall sound production process, but probably less of an effect than any other single component.
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Author: Daniel
Date: 1999-07-20 16:52
The bore of the barrel makes a big deal of difference. Of course, what barrels works for one person won't neccessarily work for another because of difference in setup. I'm no acoustician, so i can't really explain the whole bore thing with any authority.
Some barrels have double taper kinda like an hourglass shape. Others use a reverse taper. I can't say as i know what the stock barrels have.
Other makers have different exterior contours. Fobes has a significant bulge. Moreso than the standard Buffet barrel. I feel, as does Jerry Hall (who uses a similar countour), that the increased amount of wood adds resonance to the sound.
So yes... barrels are just as personal as mouthpieces.
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-07-20 17:15
Now, watch out for the length of the barrel. I have two stock Buffet barrels for my Festival. One is the A=440 and the other is 1 mm shorter for an A=442 tuning base.
I believe that the A=440 barrel is about 66 mm or so in height. I don't have it with me and a ruler with me, so don't hold me to the exact measurement. Either way, I know that the A=442 barrel is 1 mm shorter, tuning to the higher reference frequency.
Also, keep in mind that, like my stock barrels, any barrel will need to be adjusted from at least the top joint to get the entire horn to play in tune. I have to pull my A=440 barrel out about 1/2 mm and the A=442 out about 1/4 mm to get the horn to play right in tune. Hopefully, the adjustment for any other barrel is out (instead of "in", which is impossible) a fraction of a mm in length. Does this mean that the barrel manufacturers intentionally make their barrels slightly sharp (slightly short in length), so the player has room for adjustment on their individual horn? Does this assumption make sense?
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-07-21 03:33
paul wrote:
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... Also, keep in mind that, like my stock barrels, any barrel will need to be adjusted from at least the top joint to get the entire horn to play in tune. I have to pull my A=440 barrel out about 1/2 mm and the A=442 out about 1/4 mm to get the horn to play right in tune. Hopefully, the adjustment for any other barrel is out (instead of "in", which is impossible) a fraction of a mm in length. Does this mean that the barrel manufacturers intentionally make their barrels slightly sharp (slightly short in length), so the player has room for adjustment on their individual horn? Does this assumption make sense?
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Yes this assumption makes sense. Otherwise you would have no way to get in tune in room that is chillier than average.
I have read that the stock barrels are generally designed so that you do indeed have to pull at normal room temperature. If the room is warm, you will have to pull even more and if its cool you have a bit of room to push in.
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Author: HIROSHI
Date: 1999-07-21 04:00
I used to use a DEG barrel considering its feature to dispeerse heat through its fins and avoid expansion of its bore.I misunderstood that was the special barrels' main ppurposes.But I came across a good presentation by Mr.Hite on Moennig barrels in http://www.jdhite.com/mouthpieces/shop1.htm, I became quite interested and decided to try one. When I bought Greg Smith mouthpiece and Chadash Barrel adjusted with each other by Greg,and testing the sets of Greg mouthpiece plus Chadash barrel and Greg mouthpiece plus my stock barrel,I really knew what difference a good barrel will bring to my clarinet tones. I think you know a tone such as C1 consists of harmonics elements,namely primary C1 basic tone,and other harmonics.The tone with a Chadash barrel made my tones obviously more complicated mixing of harmonics,whereas with a stock barrel,my tones seemed more monotonous.
I have never tried Moennig ones.Some people say in this BBS that Moennig's tones are somewhat darker than Chadash's. So,my recommendations are,:
1)Yes good barrels will surely bring good things,
2)Better to buy a barrel with a good mouthpiece adjusted together(provably reamered).But in this case,you cannot try 2-3 barrels since they are strictly reamered with a specific mouthpice.
3)If you buy a barrel from remote sources,barrel should be adjusted to fit the upper joint of your clarinet by an experienced repairman.
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Author: HIROSHI
Date: 1999-07-21 04:07
I used to use a DEG barrel considering its feature to dispeerse heat through its fins and avoid expansion of its bore.I misunderstood that was the special barrels' main ppurposes.But I came across a good presentation by Mr.Hite on Moennig barrels in http://www.jdhite.com/mouthpieces/shop1.htm, I became quite interested and decided to try one. When I bought Greg Smith mouthpiece and Chadash Barrel adjusted with each other by Greg,and testing the sets of Greg mouthpiece plus Chadash barrel and Greg mouthpiece plus my stock barrel,I really knew what difference a good barrel will bring to my clarinet tones. I think you know a tone such as C1 consists of harmonics elements,namely primary C1 basic tone,and other harmonics.The tone with a Chadash barrel made my tones obviously more complicated mixing of harmonics,whereas with a stock barrel,my tones seemed more monotonous.
I have never tried Moennig ones.Some people say in this BBS that Moennig's tones are somewhat darker than Chadash's. So,my recommendations are,:
1)Yes good barrels will surely bring good things,
2)Better to buy a barrel with a good mouthpiece adjusted together(provably reamered).But in this case,you cannot try 2-3 barrels since they are strictly reamered with a specific mouthpice.
3)If you buy a barrel from remote sources,barrel should be adjusted to fit the upper joint of your clarinet by an experienced repairman.
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Author: Ray Swing
Date: 1999-07-22 14:11
Thanks for all the inputs. Your comments were pretty much as I expected. Since I never have played on any other than my stock barrel, I really had no other check point. Maybe in the future if I ever get to a "Pro" clarinet I might try other barrels, but for now I think I will stick with my "Stock" one which appears to serve me quit well.Incidentally, with my set up MP / Reed I pull out about 3 mm. I find I am in fairly good tune throughout total Clarinet range (Need to ear it in in the upper Altissimo though). Thanks again for all your insight.
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