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"C" Clarinet Barrel

Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2003-04-21 23:35

Hi,
Just wondering how long is the typical "C" clarinet barrel? I ask because I have a Buffet H.P clarinet from 1907 (H.P. is stamped on every piece, even the barrel.). This clarinet is one and a quarter inches shorter than a Bb Buffet R13. Somewhere here I read that the tuning on these instruments is either A=452 or 456. I also read that some of these instruments can successfully be pushed to "C" tuning. I, at the moment can't make a judgment call until I finish restoring it and verify it with a tuner. Any thoughts?

Best Regards
Mark

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Re: "C" Clarinet Barrel

Author: R13A
Date: 2003-04-22 13:16

mark

my C bbl measures 2.085 inches with a dial caliper

I once came across an Albert system clarinet marked HP. There was some confusion as to what key it was/is. Turns out that it was in the key of B.

It was not my clarinet but it now resides in the antique clarinet collection of Charles Aurand, a student of Keith Stein and retired clarinet professor at NAU, Northern Az. University.

regards
dennis

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Re: "C" Clarinet Barrel

Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-04-22 14:16

Mark -

I have a 1929 Buffet C at 440, and I've played it side-by-side with a twin of your instrument -- a H.P. Buffet C. The two had noticeably different proportions. It wasn't the length of the barrels, which differed only by about half a millimeter. All the hole positions were different.

Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do to bring a H.P. instrument down to 440. The intonation is too far off, even with a longer barrel, pulling out each joint and filling in the gaps in the bore.

The older Buffet C clarinets are gorgeous instruments, and many of them are in decent condition, because C clarinets got less use than Bbs. Enjoy yours as it is. Perhaps you can find a band that plays vintage instruments at high pitch.

Best regards.

Ken Shaw

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Re: "C" Clarinet Barrel

Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2003-04-22 19:52

Ken
I am not sure mine is a H.P. "C" clarinet. What I am sure of is that it is marked H.P. and could be anything...at least until I finish and test it on a tuner. It could be a B natural for all I know. It is 22 and 3/8 inch from the bottom of the bell to the top of the barrel. One thing I did do was connect just the upper and lower joints together without the barrels or bells and lay it side by side with a Bb clarinet. If I line up the middle joint seams with each other the tone holes pretty much line up. But the H.P. seems like it was "shortened" about 1/2 inch at each end and given a shorter bell.

Regards
Mark

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