 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Adrianna
Date: 2008-12-07 04:02
I am looking to purchase a new barrel for both my A and Bb clarinet, can anyone suggest any specific brands? Phobes? Orsi and Weir? Backun? I understand it is hard, since it depends on the type of sound you want, but what are your experiences?
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Author: Keith P
Date: 2008-12-07 06:29
I would try the Buffet Moennig and Muncy barrels if you play R13s.
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2008-12-07 12:28
Although I haven't tried other barrels like Fobes, Backun, A.Segal, Muncy... ... I would recommend the Ridenour Ivorolon Barrel as well.
I found the sound a little more focused, higher notes (clarion A, B, C and altissimo notes) were darkened, response was a bit better and smoother.
And it's a lot cheaper than other barrels, especially now with the Christmas offer Mr. Ridenour has.
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Author: Lynn
Date: 2008-12-07 14:14
Muncy-Hands Up!
Phil has a liberal trial policy. Ask for three each and play all of them until you find the "one" for you and your instrument, then return the rest to Muncy Winds.
Best of luck.
Lynn
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Author: Sambo 933
Date: 2008-12-07 16:12
I would like to know which material (African Balckwood, cocobolo, the hard rubber like the Ridenour barrel, or rosewood) produces the darkest tone and which one offers the best responce.
Has any one tried all four of these? If possible, compare them from the brightest tone to the darkest tone.
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Author: William
Date: 2008-12-07 16:42
I have many stock Buffet barrels (including one that Frank Kaspar of Cicero, IL, modified for me--at least, I think he did) and they all play differently. My point is, it is probably more important to try many barrels from as many makers as you can and then pick "the one" that plays best on your instrument(s).
I recently auditioned some Clark Fobes barrels, but did not keep them as they played very similar to my old 6-7-67 Springer barrels and my checkbook decided that did not need them. However, they were very good on both my Buffet R13s and my Leblanc Concertos--but not "that" good.
A follow-up observation: it seems to me that a lot of top pro clarinetists I see on videos and in person, play on stock barrels and not so much the popular custom hybreds that seem so popular among amatures and semipros. Am I wrong about this??
FWIW--I play stock barrels on both my Buffet R13s and Leblanc Concertos.
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Author: Neal Raskin
Date: 2008-12-07 16:55
I've been in the process trying to get a hold of Buffet Moening barrels for trial...and it seems that everywhere I contact they are backordered...i didn't realize there was this much demand for those barrels that Buffet can't keep up... I am trying a couple in the next couple of weeks.
www.youtube.com/nmraskin
www.musicedforall.com
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-12-07 17:53
There is no single make of barrel, or anything else for that matter, in the clarinet world that is the BEST. Every player will react to a different barrel differently. It depends partly on your clarinet, your mouthpiece, your tonal concept and tone color your looking for, intonation, how you react to each type, the different resistance each gives and the general feel. The only way you will know what is best for you is to try as many types as possible. Take your time, it will be worth the investment if you find what works best for you, not for someone else. ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457 Listen to a little Mozart, live performance. (on a Backun barrel)
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Author: clariknight
Date: 2008-12-07 22:29
William
Some pro clarinetists that do not use stock barrels: Jonathon Cohler, Chi Yu Mo (of the London Symphony), and Pascual Martinez (of the NYPO).
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2008-12-07 22:56
I haven't met many people in the professional world that play on stock barrels with R13's. Perhaps others have had similar or different experiences.
Just for reference, check backun's website for their artist list. Many reputable professionals on there playing Backun barrels. Other barrels I've seen are Chadash (both Buffet and the ringless ones being sold also), Moennig, Muncy, Fobes, Orsi & Weir etc.
I personally use Moennig barrels on both Bb and A clarinets. I have used Backun, Fobes, Chadash (with and without rings) as well as stock barrels.
I would like to hear of which professionals choose to use stock barrels. Many professionals sound amazing playing 70 dollar Vandoren mouthpieces, so I can only assume some choose to play stock barrels.
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2008-12-07 22:58
Has anyone tried the "Gao" barrels and bells? Jonathan Cohler plays them, but I think this might be one of the few barrels that I haven't tried.
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Author: marshall
Date: 2008-12-08 06:26
Contact Tim Clark and try some of his barrels, they're supposed to be to the exact specifications of Hans Moennig's own barrels. I think Mr. Clark studied with Moennig for a summer or two. I bought one of his from my teacher in highschool for my A clarinet and I have yet to find another barrel that I like more. The only one that comes close is a Buffet/Chadash barrel that belongs to a friend who is letting me hold on to it as collateral for my Buffet/Moennig that she's borrowing...and this Chadash could still never replace the one I use. Nothing I've played since I bought this barrel could match it in the resonance, focus, and ping in the sound that it offers.
Also...check into the Backun studio line. You can get them in every model that Backun carries for less than half the price. They are perfectly functioning Backun barrels with slight cosmetic flaws...and when I say slight, I mean that a guy in the studio here got six over the summer and it took me two or three minutes to find the flaws on a few of them. You can get an exceptional, $185-$275 barrel in perfect playing condition. As long as someone isn't examining your barrel with a magnifying glass, they'll probably never know that you got it for $125.
Post Edited (2008-12-08 06:28)
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2008-12-08 14:23
Someone who was following this thread asked me to comment.
Sambo 933 asked:
"I would like to know which material (African Balckwood, cocobolo, the hard rubber like the Ridenour barrel, or rosewood) produces the darkest tone and which one offers the best responce."
Rosewood is less dense, produces a dark sound (some say 'dull' and others say 'warm')...it is more fragile, a bit less resonant, and varies most with changes in environment.
Blackwood (grenadilla) is the most resonant, most stable, least fragile. The sound depends on the bore, mouthpiece, reed, etc.
Cocobolo is intermediate between the two. It can still be quite resonant.
I have made barrels of hard rubber and been gratified with the result. More on that some other time.
What is not mentioned is what the original poster is trying to achieve with a new barrel. That is best discussed between the buyer and the craftsman who makes it. There are infinite possibilities and combinations of bore and material. Additionally, at this time of year, there is a vast sampling of discounted items from many makers available on that auction site .
If you want to add a snazzy spoiler onto your sedan, that might be the ticket. If you want to address a specific concern (a custom cam shaft) then contact your mechanic.
Now, back to Santas's workshop.
Disclaimer....I make and sell barrels.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Adrianna
Date: 2008-12-08 19:03
The only reason I asked about individual preferences, was so I could narrow my search down and save on postage. I have no problem selecting from a bunch, but I wanted to limit myself to a brand if possible. I guess that might be hard.
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Author: bahamutofskycon
Date: 2008-12-08 19:58
If you want to try many barrels and save on postage then I would recommend contacting Muncy Winds. You can try Buffet Muncy and Moenning barrels as well as Backun and Fobes barrels through them. You'd save on postage if you ordered many to try out from a single vendor and Muncy Winds seems to have a good selection. WWBW also has a large selection.
On the other hand, you could contact a custom barrel craftsman and work with them to design a barrel that will meet your needs as Allan mentions above. In this scenario you probably wouldn't need to try as many brands or models to find one that you really like.
Steve
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Author: pplateau
Date: 2008-12-09 18:20
Try the Muncy Diamond Synthetic; maybe as good as any other you may try and well worth the price
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Author: Igonzalez
Date: 2008-12-09 19:33
Adriana,
U are right, it depends of ur sound preferences, tonal concept, mouthpiece, clarinets, clarinet bore.......
BUT .....but I can recommend 2 makers.
I did try a lot of pieces.... (Segal, Backun, Fobes, Moenning buffet, Chadash, Pyne...) and on different clarinet bores (Selmer recital, Buffet RC and Leblanc...).
FOR ME:
1. If u prefer a custom made barrel... May be the best barrels I have played are from Dr. A. Segal.
2. if u like a "branded" barrel Backun. I have some pieces and play very nice.
Just Ivan....
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Author: BandieSF
Date: 2008-12-10 01:47
I second all (positive) comments on the Buffet Moening barrels. I had originally switched because I was having tuning issues with my stocks (only to later find out that it was the band hall at school being cold all the time that was causing my intonation issues :P), and found the tone the new one produced to be much darker than that of either of my stock barrels. I've never regretted switching for a second.
-----
Current set-up:
Classical:
Strength 4 1/4 Legere Signature Series
Vandoren M13 Lyre
Jazz:
Strength 3 3/4 Legere Quebec
Pomarico Jazz*
Clarinets:
Buffet E11 Student Model
Buffet R13 Greenline
<http://operationhighschool.blogspot.com
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