The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: stebinus
Date: 2008-12-08 19:38
Are all Buffet E-11s sharp on the low E or just mine? The rest of the notes are pretty good except maybe the low F too. It's from the early 90s.
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2008-12-08 20:33
I've seen a number of E11s with a sharp low E -- probably could have been remedied if the factory hands had tried several bells, the way they do with R13s et al. Short of buying another bell, why don't you just try pulling it out 1/8 inch or so until the B/E tune better.
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Author: stebinus
Date: 2008-12-09 09:41
Tried pulling it out but doesn't seem to do the trick. Perhaps a longer bell would help. Haven't tried that.
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Author: huff n' puff
Date: 2008-12-09 11:00
Larry......... are you telling me that Buffet work to such low machining standards on their wooden clarinets that the bells can be exchanged to correct tuning faults? I don't want to know that!
When down-tuning mine, I may take out the barrel and the mid joint by about 1-2mm and the bell by a 4-6mm but this bell moving seems to me to have very slightly less effect on the low end than on the clarion reg, and that is where I want the result- mostly.
Stebinus........ there is the old dodge of holding the bell against your trouser leg. This is a bit like adding material to the bell, but not always easy if you are standing up in front of an audience.
Alternatively, try applying a few "dods" of chewing gum up the bell. or inside the lower joint. This is unlikely to have a disastrous effect on tone, only pitch.
You do not say whether the bell B is sharp- if it is not sharp, then the problem is more complex, I think ......... Bash on.......... H&P
I have no connection with Wrigleys.
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Author: stebinus
Date: 2008-12-09 11:32
I'll try the B but I think it's OK. Unfortunately the whole lower joint is apart right now waiting for a spring and a pivot screw which I will get around to hopefully soon I keep telling myself.
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2008-12-09 17:52
"... are you telling me that Buffet work to such low machining standards on their wooden clarinets that the bells can be exchanged to correct tuning faults? I don't want to know that!"
Well --- yes I am! If all Buffet clarinets were machined to rocket science close tolerances, we'd have no need to try out new instruments -- they would all come off the shelf playing divinely!
Stebinius, one of my students replaced his E11 bell with a Boosey & Hawkes bell rescued from Dave Spiegelthal's "junk" drawer with very good results. Be sure that you are not too much of perfectionist -- you might want to settle for a tuning that's within a few cents of perfect -- we're not talking about a Prestige or Tosca here!
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Author: stebinus
Date: 2008-12-12 07:36
I don't know if I'm being a perfectionist or not but that low E really sounds bad to me. I just happen to have a Boosey bell I will try. If that doesn't help I'll probably get rid of it. It feels uncomfortable in my hands anyway.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-12-12 22:28
Tom Ridenour's latest YouTube video is about correcting such sharp notes.
Bob Draznik
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Author: jeeves
Date: 2008-12-13 21:32
Stebinus, my E11 also sounds bad on low E. It's kinda buzzy/not really a pure sound like the F above it. I always thought it was a pad problem.
I just got the E11 a couple months ago.
Jeeves
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