 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Micke Isotalo ★2017
Date: 2012-09-07 09:57
The sound on my Wurlitzer Reform-Boehm A-clarinet compared to the Bb-clarinet is somewhat muffled, to some extent even resembling playing with a sordino. You who also play these instruments, what's your experience?
Besides the "muffledness", the A-clarinet also has some of the hissing noise on the Bb note (within the staff), which is common on most clarinets, regardless of brand. In my experience, the double venting mechanism on the Wurlitzer clarinets solves this problem on the Bb-, but not entirely on the A-clarinet - at least not on my A-clarinet :-)
One Wurlitzer-player told me once that his A-clarinet sounded even better then his Bb-clarinet. His instruments however are from 2005, with the new bore dimension (14,85 mm at the upper end of the top joint), while mine are from 2002, with the older bore dimension (14,8 mm). I don't know if the bore dimension affects this problem, but it would be interesting to hear other players experiences.
I have tried a lot of different mouthpieces, reeds, ligatures and barrels through the years with these issues in mind, but without significant success. Has anyone else had more success, and by what means?
I'm of course aware of the fact that the A-clarinet has a somewhat different sound character compared to the Bb, but anyway this "muffledness" would be nice to get rid of.
I tried to attach two short sound samples to this message, but although there is an "Add Attachments"-button here, it's not possible to add any kind of attachments. Anyway, for those interested I can provide them upon request attached to an e-mail (they are in mp3-format and about 230 KB each in size).
Those samples contains the following:
1) A short melody in the low register (below the staff), first with the Bb- and then with the A-clarinet, in instant succession.
2) The same as above, but in the middle register (within the staff).
When listening to these samples, I would recommend speakers or headphones of good quality, for clearly discerning the differences.
In these samples I use the same reed, mouthpiece and ligature on both clarinets, which are as follows: Foglietta E* #3, Viotto N1+2, original Wurlitzer string. The barrels are Wurlitzer originals, marked B+ and A+.
[ mp3s are not allowed as attachments. I have neither staff to screen them nor lawyers to keep me out of copyright hell. Mark C. ]
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Author: MarlboroughMan
Date: 2012-09-07 12:01
Micke,
It could be as simple as a cleaning needed for the A....have you ever had them overhauled/checked out for the problem? And has anyone else played on them and had the same problem? You might consider sending the A to Neustadt, if you haven't already.
I have a set of Fritz Wurlitzer clarinets from 1951, and have been able to play a few other sets from more recent decades and years, but never had the problem you describe. Like the other player you mention, my A is probably better than my Bb.
Your bore dimensions are probably smaller than any I've played though. Mine are around 15mm, and the ones I've played from the past couple of years have been slightly larger than 15mm.
Good luck.
Eric
******************************
The Jazz Clarinet
http://thejazzclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: Rafi
Date: 2012-09-07 12:38
Micke,
I have two pairs of wurlitzers, one is from 2011, (185 with e/f improvement key) and the other is from the 70's, (188 model).
When I bought and received my 188 the Bb clarinet had the same problem, the A was perfect.
I send them to Germany to be overhauled, as it turned out the problem was 'dirt' in the tone holes and some of the keys didn't rise to the proper high.
The problem was gone when I received them back.
Hope that helps,
Rafi
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Author: Micke Isotalo ★2017
Date: 2012-09-09 16:55
Thank you, Eric and Rafi for your comments.
Eric: So far my instruments have been to Neustadt for one overhaul, in 2008. Prior to that, the blowing resistance was higher in the A-clarinet than in the Bb, but that got fixed then. However, despite that the resistance feels equal, the sound is still muffled. Also the hissing B/Bb got better, but not as good as on the Bb.
Micke
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Author: Rafi
Date: 2012-09-11 06:40
Dear Micke,
You should call Wurlitzer and talk to them.
The Wurlitzer instruments are something else I have played a lot of French instruments and they are not in the same league as the Wurlitzer.
As I told you I bought an old pair model 188 from the 70s and I had the same problems as you have meaning hissing sound and general muffling, like the clarinet is close if I explain my self right.
I describe the problems to Wurlitzer and they fixed it and my 188 are 30 years older then yours.
Rafi
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Author: Micke Isotalo ★2017
Date: 2013-12-28 12:16
Here comes an update, if it may benefit someone else.
The problem with a muffled sound as well as the hissing of the Bb within the staff (on the A-clarinet) was solved quite unexpectedly by another specimen of the same mouthpiece that I have used mostly on these instruments. It's a Viotto N1+2 German bore. Nothing has been done to the instrument itself.
Hand made mouthpieces always differ from one another, but it would be interesting to know what exactly causes such differences as in this case. I have no clue myself though.
Anyway, when trying out mouthpieces, be sure to try them on both your Bb- and A-clarinets!
Micke Isotalo
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-12-28 19:18
Micke -
In a long series of exchanges a few years back, a Wurlitzer player said that the company intentionally leaves tiny leaks in certain pads to equalize the response. After several years of break-in, they take it back and make it cover perfectly and play according to the particular owner's style.
See for example http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=310537&t=310537.
It's probably time to send your Wurlitzers back for this service.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Micke Isotalo ★2017
Date: 2013-12-28 15:28
Ken,
The Bb have so far been in for two complete overhauls and the A for one. Prior to that the blowing resistance was greater on the A compared to the Bb, but that was fixed at that service. Despite that the sound were still a bit muffled compared to the Bb. Anyway, with this other mouthpiece also that problem is now gone.
Micke Isotalo
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Author: Jeroen
Date: 2013-12-29 14:14
Micke,
I owned 3 pairs of Wurlitzers.
The Bb and A instruments always differ a bit but I am impressed how small this difference is compared to e.g. Buffet clarinets.
My 2004 set had a very nice A clarinet, certainly better than the Bb.
After I let Wurlitzer change some intonation issues this instrument seems muffled in the throat register, starting with e'.
So, I guess Wurlitzer can do something to muffle or demuffle, maybe at expense of intonation.
A muffled sound can also be caused by putting too much energy into the instrument.
e.g. a too strong reed. A different mouthpiece can help.
Glad your problem has been solved.
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