 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Chauncey
Date: 2007-09-30 19:52
Attachment: Mpiece.JPG (36k)
Attachment: Mpieceandbarrel.JPG (13k)
I've been having problems with my barrel. It's a smidgen too wide, so it tends to wobble a little. I plan to buy a tuning ring to help the upper joint connection, but the mouthpiece connection bothers me. I have had the corks replaced on the upper joint and mouthpiece, but it still wobbles. I have even had the mouthpiece cork widened all the way it can go, but it still wobbles. It's a snug fit, still. In the middle of my practices, the my mouthpiece starts to bend inwards, and my throat tones go just a smidgen flat (but enough to bother me). I've enclosed pictures. They aren't the greatest, but I have to leave soon.
I've tried floss - It doesn't work very well. Either that or I suck at applying it. Any ideas on what I can do?
Thanks in advance
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: hans
Date: 2007-09-30 20:46
Chauncey,
Stating the obvious perhaps... it looks like you need a repair tech's help.
Hans
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-09-30 20:49
hans wrote:
> Stating the obvious perhaps... it looks like you need a repair
> tech's help.
"I have had the corks replaced on the upper joint and mouthpiece" does sound as if a repair person has been working on it, no?
(however I wonder why that shouldn't have done the trick)
--
Ben
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: grifffinity
Date: 2007-09-30 21:01
Chauncy, I am in the same situation you are.
My problem is that if I make the cork too thick, the mouthpiece wont fit into my A clarinet barrel. Teflon plumbers tape wrapped around the mouthpiece cork works well, until I need to take the mouthpiece off to swab or change clarinets. Obviously, I needed a fix that would narrow the barrel socket on the MPC end, but not be disrupted when I remove and reinstert the MPC.
So far, I have been most successful with Scotch tape, added in small sections, to thicken the socket. It stays in place unlike other tapes I have tried to thicken the socket. To makes certain the tape does not slide, be sure to remove any residual cork grease from the socket. I don't know of a permanent solution to thicken the socket.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-09-30 21:07
> I don't know of a permanent solution to thicken the socket.
I smeared (well, "applied") multiple layers of 2-component epoxy (Araldite) into the inside of the socket, with a spatula made from a decommissioned reed. Let thoroughly dry between layering runs. Works like a charm.
--
Ben
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2007-09-30 21:27
Hi Chauncey - From your pic #2, I don't recognise the barrel [at all], no rings??, and it appears to swaged-up, possibly a home-made plastic fit ??, so, what brand of cl do you have, does the barrel have any name etc on it? Have you tried your mp on any other cl, your repairer should be able to analyze what the basic problem is. MUCH LUCK, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Alseg
Date: 2007-10-01 00:06
looks like an older Delrin or ABS barrel. Some of these stretch with time and pressure.
You could try a worm gear around it ....or the Teflon tape....or a new cork...or, of course, a barrel that fits.
Disclaimer. I make and sell barrels.
Allan Segal
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-10-01 00:14
Chauncey -
How committed are you to that barrel? A handmade one from alseg, Grabner or one of the other makers will fit right and will also almost undoubtedly improve how your clarinet plays.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: nickma
Date: 2007-10-01 08:14
If wedded, You can also paint the inside of the socket with clear nail varnish, works a treat.
Nick
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-10-01 10:19
Thick cork is not the best way because of it's softness. You need to reduce the distance between the tennon and the tennon reciever.
I am surprised that ChrisP has not yet mentioned superglue.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chauncey
Date: 2007-10-01 10:48
My Barrel is made by one of my past teachers. Right about where my thumb is in the picture his name is inscribed on it, with the first letter of his name pointing to my "sweet spot." He's a genius at tech repair and basically everything else. He made some for the Picc. Clarinet too with the same design. Very cute. He's moved now, though.
The barrel is a masterpiece, I believe. It drastically helps tuning and brings me a lot of comfort for playing (except for the wobbling problem, of course!)
There are about four others that play on this barrel as well, and upon asking them I discovered that their barrels fit perfectly fine, no problem. I guess I just got the difficult one.
As for the helpful tips you guys have provided, I think that I'll give the scotch tape a go, and perhaps work on getting some Teflon tape. It worries me though to try these because my corks have been expanded and widened so much that the fitting is very snug. I fear that, like the floss, putting together and taking apart the mouthpiece and barrel will just destroy anything put in there. As for the nail polish, I'm not sure I want to do something like that just yet. I'll see how things turn out.
I've been thinking that I could perhaps put a third replacement cork on, but this time widening it to the full value of the mouthpiece cork area. In the picture, you can see that it still has space near the top. What do you guys think? If I were to get any part of my clarinet worked on professionally, then I'd have to send it away a couple of days to my moved technician (As there are very few notable ones where I live). This won't be doable because of a tight schedule involving music.
Thanks very much so far!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-10-01 11:36
Cork should always go the full value around the mouthpiece. Teflon tape is always in stock in just about any hardware store in the civilized world- and it's cheap. You might spend more on the gas to the store than you spend on a roll.
As for destroying stuff, the only thing that can be destroyed is the soft stuff- cork, floss, tape, etc.
ps. Thick cork should be beveled as should the tennon reciever. That helps lots of stuff.
Post Edited (2007-10-01 11:40)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: redwine
Date: 2007-10-01 12:05
Hello,
You could have a repairman apply cork to the inside of the b-flat barrel, eliminating the problem with the switch to the A clarinet.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Alseg
Date: 2007-10-01 14:32
If you want to preserve the barrel, try an insert on the socket, OR....and this might help.....Put a ring on the upper end.....a tech would need to cut the groove. For the insert, a thin teflon self-adhesive band inside might help....these are available through repair dealers...they are used between trill keys among other applications.
The inner circumference of the insert is 2.785 inches
The big danger here is that loose sockets cause squeaks.
I suspect that at some point the upper socket was exposed to heat and softened.
It looks like a Scott or Springer barrel.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chauncey
Date: 2007-10-01 15:38
It may look like them, but I assure you that it is made completely from scratch by my old teacher; I've seen him at work from the block.
I'm not here to argue the originality of my barrel though; These suggestions are great, and I'll definitely look into some of them. I think the Teflon tape may be my best bet at the moment.
Gotta scoot. Have lots to do. Thanks for the help, everyone.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chauncey
Date: 2007-10-01 22:33
Teflon tape works wonderfully! I'm very happy with the outcome. I honked on my horn for about five minutes and it stayed still, much to my pleasure.
One more question: How long will this last on my mouthpiece? I wouldn't mind it at all if that were to be my permanent solution. Changing it every few months seems fine to me.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed
Date: 2007-10-02 02:03
How long will it last?
I had a larger piece of teflon tape over a tenon cork on my bass clarinet for a couple of years and it worked great. Just keep it in the case and when it needs replacing, or needs another piece added to it, just put more on.
BTW- if possible, I have always found it to work best when I have the sockets of my Bb and A barrels to match. That way it prevents problems with the mouthpiece cork.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
