 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Steven
Date: 2000-06-15 14:30
Does anybody know what the length of a barrel for a C Clarinet (A=440) should be? Seems like it ought to be somewhere between 45 and 55 mm. Thanks.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-06-15 15:39
Mine is 46 mm. Of course, its an old Conn plastic, prob. from the 1920's [has the Eagle marking]. When I first tried playing it with others [at about 440-442] I was a bit flat, so I had two [compatible]mouthpieces shortened [tenons, about 1/16 inch][rather than cutting the barrel], which solved my tuning problems. Hope someone with a newer C will post also. Don
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Author: Steven
Date: 2000-06-15 16:17
Thanks, thats helpful. I have a pre-1875 (unnumbered) Buffet Crampon Simple System or 13 keyed clarinet in C that is in mint condition - very pretty wood. The barrel is 43 mm, and it has what appears to be an original Buffet wood mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is set up for german style reeds; I use black masters. It appears to have a german bore - no taper in lower joint. Pushed in all the way, the clarinet tunes way high, but not as high as high pitch (if it is A=456). It may be around A=448 or so. If I pull out 8 to 10 mm, I can play with modern pitch instruments. That works out to about 50mm barrel length. It has a beautiful, delicate tone, and I have played duets with my son on violin to good effect. It would be more convenient to have a little longer barrel though. I've been considering having one cut down (a cheapie, of course). I don't know where I could have this done. With a modern Bb mouthpiece on it, the pitch goes way up, so much so that a short Bb barrel gets it pretty close to pitch, but then the internal tuning gets messed up (obviously). I can't tell any internal difference in diameter of barrels as between C an Bb, but the lower tenon is deeper on the C.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-06-15 18:24
Very interesting, Steven, I didn't realize your C was an oldie. I have several Albert-Muller Bb's but not C's. You need to pose your questions on the "Early Clarinet" site, which used to be on Onelist. Try to find it, if no luck, ask again and I'll help. I will measure the barrels on my HP Bb's out of curiosity. Have fun, Don
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Author: Steve Epstein
Date: 2000-06-16 05:15
My Patricola C (a modern instrument) comes with two barrels, one labelled 46 and the other 47. I presume these indicate the length in mm.
I'm not sure, but I believe it's different for the Leblancs, because the upper and lower joints are of different length than the Patricola.
Hope this helps.
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