 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2005-01-10 02:47
I have a situation with a barrel I ordered, and I thought before I make any decisions I would ask what everyone thinks. I'm not sure what to do, so any thoughts would be helpful...
I order a Fobes clarinet barrel off www.wwbw.com, and when it arrived, it was too tight to fit on the clarinet... So here are my options as I see them.
1) Return it - I don't want to do that because I'm serious about looking for a new barrel and I'd really like to try this one
2) Have it altered by my local repairman - This would be quick and convenient, but there are two problems. I emailed Mr. Fobes and he suggested that I send it to him because he would be sure to do it right, and that they are easy to mess up if resized incorrectly. The other problem is that if I have it altered I will no longer be able to return. I'd basically be making a final $140 commitment to a barrel that I've never even played on.
3) In the emails, Mr. Fobes said that if the repairman messed it up, that he would not accept it back from www.wwbw.com. While he didn't state it out right, I suppose he was implying that if he altered it, it would still be returnable, though I don't know how that would work because www.wwbw.com customer service people told me that if it was altered at all, it couldn't be returned. Even if it is returnable, I think it's only returnable for 30 days, and I doubt i'd have enough time to really try it out and make an informed decision, considering it would probably take 2-3 to get to him, have him fix it, and get back to me (and this is assuming that when I receive it the 2nd time, it will fit properly!).
So basically, I'm stuck between a rock and 2 hard places (heehee). My inclination is just to return the thing to www.wwbw.com because it would be the easiest thing (and while I would like a new barrel, it's a luxury, not a necessity), but I have the nagging "what if it is really good" feeling when I think about returning it...
any thoughts??
Thanks,
Don Hite
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
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Author: hartt
Date: 2005-01-10 03:59
Don
Although Clark no longer sells direct to the public, he may, however, make an exception with your situation. Telephone him (415) 585-0636 and explain that you are following up on your e mail.
I've had numerous convos with Clark. He aims to please, to say the least and is a total gentleman.
I have 2 Fobes bbls and a CF+ Zinner mp, as well as a San Fran eefer and alto sax mp. I'm very pleased with his products. The bbl gives a slightly more focused & warmer sound (hearable) that I hadn't obtained with other bbls, custom and stock. Several local symphony level players have tried my mp/bbl and have purchased them (WWBW). They, too, found a more focused sound.
BTW, his bbls are made of both Rosewood and Grenadilla. Mine are Rosewood and tend to give a 'brighter' sound then the Grenadilla (Clark's comment & suggestion).
Not wanting to muddy the waters, one needs to assume that all his bbls are of the same socket dimmension. Thus, a bbl would need to be 'fitted' to your tenon.......be it opening the socket or sanding down the cork.
regards
dennis
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-01-10 06:27
I would return it. If I look at my favorite clarinetists, none of them use any special barrels or anything like that.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-01-10 07:21
My guess is that any true artist (as it seems to be the case so far) will truly stand by his creations and strive to work with the customers in order to make them work. I've found that time and time again and you'll really be surprised at what lengths a professional will go through to provide good service and make one more happy customer.
I say call Mr. Fobes or email him and ask him if HE would accept it back should it not suffice even with the alteration. If he wouldn't, then I'd return it, and email him again explaining that you are very interested in trying out his product but would like his input on how best to do this given that your tenon size isn't the same as an R13 (which leads me to believe you probably have a selmer or leblanc or some other type than buffet/yamaha).
I'm sure that something can be reached. And if something CAN'T be reached, at least you're not out a buck-forty.
Also, provided that you end up keeping the barrel and not liking it for some reason, take heart in knowing that it'll hold a decent resale value and you'll probably get back at least 2/3 of what you paid should you need to resell it at some point.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: woodwind650
Date: 2005-01-10 07:55
I work and the SF Bay Area and know Clark well. He's a great guy and he'll be able to help you out. Just give him a call and believe me he'll help you out!
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Author: Ed
Date: 2005-01-10 11:55
I also recommend calling Clark to see what he suggests doing. He is one of the best guys out there. Easy to work with, extremely knowledgeable and makes great stuff. What more could you ask for?
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Author: CPW
Date: 2005-01-10 12:48
In odering barrels, custom technicians will sometimes ask for tenon measurements. Backun does this as does Clarinetconcepts (Alseg on this board) and perhaps Grabner (who also posts here, I believe).
I was able to circumvent a barrel dissaster on an old Eb in this way.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-01-10 12:51
Walter Grabner will only sell barrels now if you send him your clarinet so he can custom fit it. He also tunes the throat tones I believe.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-01-10 12:57
I agree with Mark. The easiest thing to do it to return it right now to ww&bw and order one or two (good to try more than one) from Clark Fobes. He's a sponsor and you'll get better results with him than if you keep trying to get a good fit through an online retailer like ww.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-01-10 13:35
I'm sure that the above suggestions are the best, but an alternative, IF only the tenon cork, not the tenon wood end and the wood barrel socket, are preventing a reasonably tight fit, is to have the cork [or DIY] sanded down to fit. Then if you keep that barrel all is well, if the next barrel you try is too loose, have a thicker cork put [back] on [small cost] . Other techs [better than I] please comment. Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: CPW
Date: 2005-01-10 14:42
The makers of these have socket reamers that can widen the tenon receiver.
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2005-01-10 17:16
I had the same problem when I ordered my Fobes from wwandbw 6 years ago. The barrel sat in a box until 3 yrs ago.... I had emailed Fobes and he told me he would resize it for me, but I decided against it and just had my tech do it. It's been fine since.
Fobes did sell some of his barrels at clarinetfest, so he might sell to you direct.
--CG
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-01-10 18:59
Socket sizing can be problematic.
Sometimes the tenon is ovoid.
I use a special socket reamer AFTER fashioning the initial sockets.
I find that more problems come from the mouthpiece end rather than the upper joint end. I keep a boatload of mouthpieces on hand for fitting purposes.
Disclaimer...I make/sell barrels.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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