 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BenInBb
Date: 2012-03-19 22:05
The two clarinets I play in are not a matched set: one is a Bb Selmer Series 9 from several decades ago, and the other is an A Noblet from around the same time. Both need new barrels. Backun says that their barrels are interchangeable between Bb and A, but would one be interchangeable between Selmer and Noblet? And if so, how should i compromise between the two different lengths? Any advice is welcome, thanks!
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2012-03-19 22:34
I think you would be well advised to contact Backun directly about your two clarinet models to see if their barrels are compatible with them. They are not so large that they will ignore you!
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
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Author: kdk
Date: 2012-03-20 00:35
BenInBb wrote:
> Both need new barrels.
Just out of curiosity, what does this mean? Why do they need new barrels?
> Backun says that their barrels are interchangeable between Bb and A,
in the sense that they are not reamed specifically to match one or the other. Some players use the same barrel on both their Bb and their A and move the whole barrel/mouthpiece between them when switching instruments. Many other players use separate barrels and move only the mouthpiece. This is a matter of preference, not anything to do with how Backun's barrels are designed. He just doesn't differentiate them as having been made for Bb or for A.
> but would one be interchangeable between Selmer and Noblet? And
> if so, how should i compromise between the two different
> lengths? Any advice is welcome, thanks!
This is one problem with using the same barrel for both clarinets if they need different length barrels. You can't use a barrel that's longer than the shorter of the two barrels you're now using. So if you have a 66mm on the Bb and a 65mm on the A, you can't use anything longer than 65mm if you're going to use one barrel. If you use a 66, the Bb may be in tune, but the A will probably be flat (ignoring any influence from the design of the bore). If you use a 65, you'll probably need to pull out at least a mm to use it with the Bb.
John is also right that, although Backun's barrels will, I'm certain, fit the tenons of Selmer, Buffet, and probably top-line Leblanc clarinets, the Noblet tenon may not work with his tenon sockets. I don't know how the bore of those barrels compare with the Selmer, but a single barrel may not be acoustically well mated to both instruments apart from the issue of needing different lengths. John's advice to talk directly to someone (probably Olivia Martin) at Backun's shop is worth taking.
There are, of course, other custom barrel makers who advertise on the BB who might also be able to help if you approach them.
Karl
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Author: BenInBb
Date: 2012-03-20 00:50
Thanks, both of you! The intonation issue is an interesting one, because the barrel on my A is a 66 and works pretty well, but the barrel on my Bb is a 64 and I usually pull out about 1.5 or 2mm to get it in tune. So in theory, and assuming that the joints fit, I could use a 65.5 for both pretty easily, right?
Ben Parker
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Author: kdk
Date: 2012-03-20 01:11
BenInBb wrote:
> Thanks, both of you! The intonation issue is an interesting
> one, because the barrel on my A is a 66 and works pretty well,
> but the barrel on my Bb is a 64 and I usually pull out about
> 1.5 or 2mm to get it in tune. So in theory, and assuming that
> the joints fit, I could use a 65.5 for both pretty easily,
> right?
>
Maybe. It would be a starting point, anyway, although depending on how much you really pull out on the Bb, it might not give you much room for adjustment when the horn or the room is cold. You might want to err on the short side and just try a 65 - it will be easier to find than a 1/2mm size anyway.
Karl
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-03-20 02:18
It probably won't be a match. For example the Moenig barrels come in A and Bb. Interesting though, the Moenig I have works on both horns. this is unusual.
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2012-03-20 05:41
If the barrels on your Bb and A are currently interchangeable (will fit on either clarinet), then you could one barrel for both. If they are not, then you would have one a difficult time getting one to fit both properly.
Laurie
Laurie (he/him)
Post Edited (2012-03-21 05:24)
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Author: dperreno
Date: 2012-03-20 15:06
I know that certain Selmer clarinets (the Signature line, specifically) have different tenon dimensions than Buffet, Leblanc, etc. Backun sells separate barrels and bells for those instruments.
I'm not certain about the older "traditional" Selmers (e.g. your Series 9), but I believe that their tenons are similar to Buffet and Leblanc, and that the barrels can be physically swapped. The length issue has already been addressed.
Doug
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2012-03-20 16:44
Recent Backun barrels (both traditional and ringless, made for Buffet, Leblanc, and Yamaha clarinets) physically fit both my Selmer Series 9 Bb and a Noblet Model 45 Bb (serial number 38xxx). I rarely play the Selmer and never play the Noblet so I didn't try playing them to see how the barrels would affect their intonation. But the sockets do match both clarinets' tenons. Whether the bores are a close enough match is a different issue. The Series 9 is a large-bore clarinet and my Noblet appears to be a small-bore clarinet. Since modern (Big-4) clarinets tend to have smaller bores, you might need Backun to custom design a barrel for your Series 9 and it might not work with the Noblet. As John Gibson and Paul suggest, the best way to find out would be to contact Backun's shop directly.
Best regards,
jnk
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