 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: aero145
Date: 2009-10-14 11:49
Disclaimer: This thread was not made for bashing Backun’s products.
Hello guys,
in January this year, I purchased a coco MoBa barrel from Backun for my Selmer Saint Louis. I was satisfied with the build and the change of sound projection, sound quality and throat-note intonation, but was puzzled to see that seven months after I had gotten it - last July - it had developed a crack in the lower part of the body. I contacted Backun and they were so kind to exchange it for me for a grena barrel of the same type. I was even more satisfied with it, but this week, after a lot of playing, I noticed, that it had developed a similar (yet smaller) crack on a similar place on the body. I have contacted Backun.
Now, I want to ask: Does anyone here have Backun barrels and lives in a very humid area like the Cologne-area of Germany?
It’s namely strange to have two cracks on two different types of wood with such a short time in between. The Selmer, whose woodgrain is bigger than the instrument itself (pun intended on IcelandClarinet), is rock solid and hasn’t developed anything, yet has lived in very dry Iceland for over three years and in very humid Germany for over a year. Its ping is also still there.
Thanks for your time
DAEJ
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Author: aero145
Date: 2009-10-14 12:30
I must admit that my favourite players play Buffet. *I* still prefer my cracking big-wood-grained Selmers with uncomfy finger holes.
Mind you, Einar Jó was surprisingly satisfied with my Saint Louis.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-10-14 16:12
I like my Selmer as well as aerol likes his. I have a 3 year old Signature and a 45 year old bass which have never had a single crack. I also own three Backun barrels and three bells and none of them ever cracked. I've had them from 3-10 years now. I do oil them a few times a year with his oil. I don't know if that makes a difference but Morrie suggested it so I do it, why not. ESP
ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
PS, I can hardly see the grain on my Selmer it's so tight.
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Author: aero145
Date: 2009-10-14 16:46
I mailed Erika @ Backun and she suggested too that I almond oil the barrel when it gets dry on the inside. Also that I should have a cello dampit in the case.
I just haven’t owned the barrel for a long time - and that in a very humid place, so I never bothered. Mind you, it’s only been three months!
Anyways, it’ll be sorted out. Nice to hear that you like your Signature. I myself really want a pair of nice Recitals, but that will only ’appen when the funds allow. What do you think about their newest basses? I really love them, especially in the high register up to the very high C. They also got a nice ping. Didn’t hear that in the Buffets.
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Author: William
Date: 2009-10-15 15:04
Cracking depends on the quality of the wood used and not on any particular manufactuer. I own Selmer, Yamaha, Leblanc and Buffet clarinets and none has every cracked in spite of our wonderfully interesting Wisconsin, USA climatic challeges--hot humid summers and cold dry winters with "fun" inbetween. Never used bore oil either, just careful to avoid rapid temp changes--especially cold to hot (warm up slowly during winter)--and swab twice after every use. Some of us are just lucky to get good wood, I guess.
A college (1960's) friend once went in for his clarinet lesson with a brand new, played only a few times, Buffet R13. When he opend his case--cool outside, but not frigid Wisconsin cold--before even removing the first section for assembly, a nearly audible Kraaack came from the case. A seam had opened in the upper section from the top to the first side key and needless to say, the lesson had to be rescheduled. Fortunately, the clarinet was still under warranty and I think it was repaired to everyones satisfaction. But a brand new clarinet spontaneously cracking like that--I've never forgotten the collegiente "humor" that transpired later that day among us music school students at State streets Var Bar.
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Author: aero145
Date: 2009-10-15 16:43
Seems I’m unlucky with Backun’s products. I’ll be getting a new one for sure, and will be extra careful with it.
Funny to hear about the cracked R13. I hope it won’t ever happen to me. :-Þ
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Author: Clari
Date: 2009-10-15 19:36
Simply throw the cracked barrel into your fireplace will solve your problem.
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Author: clariniano
Date: 2009-10-16 22:51
I've seen it happen mostly on intermediate model clarinets, but the one on my professional Yamaha cracked twice in a short period--but since I needed to get a common barrel for my Bb and A, since I regularly have to make quick changes between the instrument.
Meri
Please check out my website at: http://donmillsmusicstudio.weebly.com and my blog at: http://clariniano.wordpress.com
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2009-10-17 11:42
The quality of the wood is important, but the wood species will have a much bigger effect. Some wood technology websites list shrinkage figures for various wood species, such as here:
http://www.woodbin.com/calcs/shrinkulator.htm
Some sample numbers:
Species, Radial %, Tangential %
Cocobolo, 3, 4
Ebony, 5.5, 6.5
Black Cherry, 3.7, 7.1
Ceylon Satinwood, 6, 7
Ipe, 6.6, 8
Silver Maple, 3, 7.2
Brazilian Rosewood, 2.9, 4.6
Indian Rosewood, 2.7, 5.8
The larger the numbers, the more shrinkage. "Tangential" is "parallel to the grain", and "Radial" is "perpendicular to the grain". It is desireable for these two numbers to be relatively close, lest round parts turn oval.
But, the grain quality will have a tremendous effect on water absorption - more open-grained woods will accept moisture more readily, which is not desirable. Sealers and synthetic inserts reduce absorption, but increase manufacturing cost. The wood will always expand and contract to some extent, but the inserts will not.
Unfortunately they don't list grenadilla (dalbergia) or boxwood (buxus). Why is this?
Post Edited (2009-10-17 11:44)
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