 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mel Lazin
Date: 2008-12-01 15:40
I just recently bought an Eb Clarinet (see other post).
It has a small hole drilled into the barrel and a black plastic "button" is screwed into the hole in the barrel.
The "button" appears to have two small openings in it, ostensibly to hook to some type of wiring connector.
Accordingly this appears to be a microphone pickup of some type to me.
Does anyone know about this?
Is this current technology, or should I remove it and fill in the hole in the barrel?
It plays well with the button just sitting on the barrel, so I could alternatively just leave it alone.
Thanks,
Mel Lazin
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-12-01 16:33
Barcus Berry made pickups that were installed in clarinet barrels and mouthpieces (or even the top joint), sax crooks and mouthpieces (or where the high F# tonehole would be if there was one fitted) and also for brass instruments.
The less invasive transducers which were a flat plate that fitted between the ligature and reed were probably a better idea as they didn't mean having holes drilled into mouthpieces, barrels and crooks (or bodies) - and obviously an instrument which hasn't been altered in this way (by having holes drilled or filled) is going to be of more value to one that has (or has been crudely repaired).
If it's playing fine as it is (with the seal in place), probably best to leave alone or find a replacement barrel.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2008-12-01 16:38
Mel,
How about a picture? I have used a clarinet barrel/mic, sax neck/mic, and flute head joint/mic setup in the past. Although I ran the output into a Fender amp, Selmer had a system that was pretty cool with a sax configured for the wire down the back of the body. Varitone, I think was the name. Yes, here's a link.
http://www.saxophone.org/varitone.html
I do remember a setup like you described. It would seem that the two small opening were for the end of a cord that had a [ type prong connector. Then the other end was a phone plug that went into an amp.
I'm just guessing but I'd date this to the mid-1970s.
HRL
Post Edited (2008-12-01 16:45)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-12-01 21:31
These pickup systems still used by Eastern European "folk type" players;I'd leave it alone for now.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-12-01 22:43
It's a wonder why an Eb clarinet really needs a pickup!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Kalakos
Date: 2008-12-02 00:00
Mr. Bass Poullath makes "state of the art" pickups for clarinets similar to what you describe. This is not a plug as it's not a business I am connected with. You can see these here if you are curious. His system does not seem to have two insert holes though.
John
Kalakos
Kalakos Music
http://www.TAdelphia.com
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Author: Geirskogul
Date: 2008-12-02 03:50
I've seen pickups plugged into special barrels: these are my favorite type.
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