 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: knappyman
Date: 2012-07-14 07:05
Hey all,
I have a 2003 R-13 A Clarinet. It's very stuffy, especially in the upper clarion. I currently use a Hawkins B mouthpiece with Vandoren V-12 4s and a Rovner II ligature. I've been using a Fobes 66 barrel for a few years, and I'm considering changing it up to help open the sound a bit more. My B-flat ('99 R-13) has the same style barrel, and sounds just fine. Any suggestions on which barrels to try?
Or any suggestions on anything I can do otherwise?
Thanks!
~Jeremy
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2012-07-14 07:18
Have you checked if there are any leaks? "Very stuffy, especailly in the upper clarion" is a usual sign of a significant leak near the top.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2012-07-14 14:03
I see from your header that you are in California.
Maybe contact Clark Fobes. Perhaps he can tweak the set up a bit.
Also check the register key, or have tech check for leaks (as Nitai mentioned)
diisclaimer.....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: kdk ★2017
Date: 2012-07-14 14:14
I'd second Nitai's advice and suggest as a general rule that before tinkering with after-market equipment tweaks you always make sure that the instrument itself doesn't contain the reason for any problem you're having with it.
You don't say so, and maybe you've already been down this route with your A clarinet. But for anyone else reading this thread, there is much on a clarinet that can be out of optimal adjustment and will cause stuffiness that mouthpieces, barrels and bells won't fix. Always look at the instrument body (have it checked by a competent tech) as the first suspect in any persistent (across different reeds) response issues.
Karl
Post Edited (2012-07-14 22:20)
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-07-14 15:25
Have you ensured that the vent tube is Clear? Try removing the register key and cleaning the vent tube with a pipe cleaner.
Tony F.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2012-07-14 15:40
A couple of important questions may be important:
(a Did you buy the instrument new?
(b Has this stuffiness been a problem since you bought it or has it developed recently?
(c (To follow up my other comment)Have you had the clarinet checked out mechanically?
Karl
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Author: knappyman
Date: 2012-07-14 17:43
Thanks for the suggestions folks. In fact, I have it scheduled for maintenance in August.
While the stuffiness is more recently prominent, it's always been there to some degree.When I purchased the clarinet, it was new, and it played well, in tune, etc, all that stuff. After a week, I noticed a sub tone in the clarion A. I brought it to Dan Deitch, and he shortened the register key post, which helped fix that problem.
A few months later, it was stuffy, and I played with some different barrels, and found that the fobes barrell opened up the sound and fixed some tuning issues. This was several years ago, and I thought maybe it was just time for a new barrel again, but I suppose getting it serviced first is the best course of action.
If that's not it, what sort of tweaks are you talking about? I'm not going to try them myself, but I'm curious what can be done.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-07-14 17:52
If it isn't a problem with a small leak or dirty register tube then it's probably something to do with the bore changing slightly at some point. The only way to see if a different barrel, and maybe even a bell, you'd be amazed what a difference a different bell can make, or not, you just have to try as many different barrels as you can. Some will open up and free the sound and resistance but you have to find the correct one for you and your clarinet. If nothing else works try as many as you can get a hold of the try. Different bores and woods make a difference. ESP eddiesclarinet.com
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-07-14 18:19
Based on that it's a 2003 and you didn't say anything about it being serviced recently that will surely be my first step. Even new horns leak. Actually most of them, if not all of them need a bit of fine tweaking, adjustments, the pads sometimes look great but aren't sealed and the keys need some adjustments in height. So if it's been 2 or 3 years since you've had the horns in for repair, minor or major start there.
Keep us posted.
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2012-07-14 21:33
Here's one other thing to check out. Make sure there is no air leak around the register tube. A leak here may be almost imperceptible, but would cause stuffiness in the upper clarion.
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
New and Used Buffet Clarinets
World Class Clarinet Mouthpieces
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