 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2012-08-06 15:25
This week, I've been playing both my new acquisitions. The 1987 R-13 (all stock) is being compared to the Yamaha CSV (also stock). Because I use a Rovner ligature and the corks are somewhat tight, I have to undo the reed each time I want to switch instruments in order to swap the mpc from one instrument to another.
It seems like there's a very big difference in resistance between the R-13 and the Yamaha, and consequently the R-13 is harder to keep in tune and the Yamaha is harder to blow and respond. Out of chance, I took the barrel and the mpc from the Buffet and swapped it into the Yamaha. Amazingly enough, the Yamaha suddenly became easier to blow and harder to keep in tune. I would say that about half the R-13 tonal quality suddenly also emanated from the Yamaha.
It seems like for many on this board this would be no surprise as there is much talk here about this or that barrel and custom barrels in general, but for me it was a bit of a shock.
Live and learn.
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: bethmhil
Date: 2012-08-06 16:40
I didn't used to believe the barrel made such a difference, at least in terms of just tone. When I received my new upper joint from Buffet, they also sent a matching barrel with it. In addition to fixing some tuning problems, it has made my tone much darker and has made the overall tone of the clarinet more even through every register. As you said, live and learn!
BMH
Illinois State University, BME and BM Performance
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2012-08-06 18:36
Can you be sure whether the difference was due to the new barrel rather than the new top joint?
I believe the reason why buffet sent you a new barrel with the new joint is that they actually ream the barrel whilst it is attached to the top point to get optimum alignment.
Of course this is all thrown awry when players swap barrels in store or buy after market barrels
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2012-08-06 20:58
Right that is. Although a new barrel most likely causes differences in tonality, resistance, and response, this goes double for a new top joint. In science we always try to isolate variables, including the variable of mental placebo.
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: vljenewein
Date: 2012-08-06 21:28
Just the other night I had my wife lisen to a Leblanc clarinet I have playing with the original plastic barrel. then I switched barrel (used same mouthpiece) to a wooden barrel that I believe is Ebony. She could tell the sound tonal difference, noted it was richer and fuller. This wooden barrel came from an 11.00 ebay purchase of a "vintage" clarinet that had a crack in the bell, and brass keywork. Needs a bit of TLC. But I took the barrel and with my wood lathe made the barrel to actually fit mouthpieces I have and upper joints I have. With the lathe that is not really hard at all. But, she was and is convinced it makes quite a difference. Now she wants me to lathe her a barrel out of seasoned Apricot wood for her Evette (German) clarinet.
Vernon
Jenewein Duduks Manufacturing & Research
www.duduk.us American made Duduks
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2012-08-06 22:20
what you are describing is totally understandable. A different barrel creates a vastly different and noticeably better sound. That's what I noticed in my experiment too. What interests me even more is that some people claim to be able to predict what dimensions in a new barrel will create what differences. theyve turned the process into more of an exact science. What you've done could be described as hit or miss. I would like to know why in my case a stock buffet barrel is so much freer but less stable than the stock Yamaha custom.
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2012-08-07 04:47
Garth Libre wrote:
> what you are describing is totally understandable. A different
> barrel creates a vastly different and noticeably better sound.
Or worse sound in some cases!!!
I find the same thing though. My personal belief is that tone is 90% mouthpiece and barrel combination, 10% clarinet (upper/lower joints and bell). Tuning is 90% clarinet and 10% mouthpiece/barrel.
Completely made up numbers, but when testing clarinets, i find i sound like me on pretty much any clarinet, can affect tone and resistance with a barrel, and the only thing the main clarinet body seems to contribute is the relationship between notes (tuning, and evenness from note to note)
Alexi
>
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
