 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-08-25 07:19
Hi,
I noticed some manufactures have 2 models. Small/american/french bore, and Large bore. What is the difference between these 2 bore sizes?
Thanks.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-08-25 16:19
Without delving into the controversial topics of their effects on sound and intonation, typical bore diameters for Bb clarinets considered 'small bore" are generally in the range of .560" to .585" (14.2mm to 14.9mm) while those considered "large bore' are usually in the range .590" to .600" (15.0mm to 15.3mm).
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-08-25 17:11
Thanks for your answer but I only meant in terms of sound and intonation. the diameters mean little to me.
Thanks.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-08-25 17:30
Clarnibass,
Sorry I couldn't help, but the answers you seek will be very subjective and open to debate. For instance, my personal favorite clarinet is a large-bore modified Boosey & Hawkes Series 8-10 ---- which most small-bore advocates will insist can't be played in tune --- but my tuner, and the bands I've played the instrument in, disagree! And as to whether it sounds different than a small-bore instrument, maybe it does and maybe it doesn't, but I'd venture the opinion that mouthpiece and reed choices (and the player, of course) have a far greater effect on that, than the bore of the instrument. I would LIKE to sound like the great British players of the past (Brymer et al) on this instrument, but to my ears I sound more like the average Buffet R-13 player! Go figure....
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Author: hans
Date: 2004-08-25 18:42
Clarnibass,
Reading Selmer's web site, http://www.selmer.com/htdox/clar4.htm, which gives a description of their models including bore size, I get the impression that a smaller bore is supposed to result in better tuning and darker sound, ceteris paribus.
The larger bore instrument is described as giving a brighter sound and presumably it plays out of tune.
Regards,
Hans (who plays a small bore clarinet darkly and in tune)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-08-25 19:37
Most of the people I hang out with play Buffets, and, to me, sound 'brighter' than I do on my B&H. We seem to play pretty much in tune with each other, but I have to confess that I've undercut the normally 'straight' toneholes on my instrument, and that little modification makes a lot of difference; so perhaps we're not comparing apples to apples here.
As for Selmer's web site --- it's marketing, after all, not to be confused with reality --- remember Leblanc and their 'more youthful tuning in the upper clarion register' and all that other crap in their clarinet 'descriptions'?
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-08-26 08:49
OK thanks very much everyone. I see that the best answer is still unclear and that I can't expect to receive a clear answer on this because there isn't one. Is it possible to try a large bore instrument and don't even notice anything different?
David, do all B&H clarinets have a large bore? I played a B&H clarinet once and didn't notice anything different about it really from the Buffet I usually play (beside the fact that I used a crappy mouthpiece and reed).
Thanks again.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-08-26 10:08
Clarnibass,
IMHO the best answer will probably continue remain unclear. As DS says, there is just too much subjectivity and open debate on this issue to come up with a set of rules on bore size that will be totally descriptive and accurate.
I play a big bore Leblanc Dynamic 2 but am just as happy on either my Selmer 9* or my R-13 (both smaller bore). I use pretty much the same MP, ligature, and reed.
But continue your quest and report back, please.
HRL
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