 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Carol
Date: 2013-07-12 19:38
I am in the market for a new barrel. I'm playing a Buffet E11 clarinet with a Rico Reserve X5 mouthpiece. I would like information/opinions on two topics: ring vs ringless barrels AND the best type of wood to use.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2013-07-12 19:41
What do you want the new barrel to do? What change are you looking for?
Karl
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Author: JackHorrocks
Date: 2013-07-12 20:21
The new Buffet ICON barrels look nice...
From what I have heard, ringless barrels allow the barrel to "resonate" a bit more. It is a bit freer with the sound.
I think ring barrels provide a more compact sound...
Someone correct me if I am wrong on these statements, I am just going on what I have heard.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2013-07-12 22:39
I would hardly think that it was worth changing the barrel of an E11 which is a low end intermediate instrument.
Far better save the money towards a higher grade clarinet.
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Author: gwie
Date: 2013-07-13 00:34
You'd be surprised at how good an E11 can be with a barrel replacement. Two of my students saved a lot of money purchasing E11 A clarinets and replacing the stock barrels with Backun Traditional barrels which improved their playability significantly. We were able to choose from a couple dozen "studio" models (with minor cosmetic blemishes) at a discounted price.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2013-07-13 03:45
My question may have sounded pointless or off the track, but IMO it's basic to answering your question in any meaningful way. I'm still interested to know what improvement you're looking for - why you're "in the market for a new barrel." What you expect a barrel to change and how is central to deciding if a barrel will do what you want and if so, which one.
Is there a general tuning issue you're trying to solve? If you're significantly sharp or flat over most of the instrument, a longer or shorter barrel might help.
Are you trying to change the way the instrument responds? A different mouthpiece might make more of a difference or maybe even different reeds, but only after you're sure the instrument doesn't leak, which can make it stuffy and hurt response. I like the Rico X0, but it does resist more than many other mouthpieces with similar facings.
Are you looking for a different tone quality? Keep in mind that first and foremost, *you* produce that with embouchure, oral shape, your use of air and other things that result from both your training and skill level and your physical characteristics. Beyond that, what change in sound quality are you hoping for? If you're looking for the sound quality that Backun barrels tend toward, then maybe you would consider one of them an improvement. But that's a matter of taste. If you don't want to make the sound a Backun barrel moves you toward (some players don't), it wouldn't be an improvement. Fobes barrels, Moennig barrels, Chadash barrels and others by custom makers like Allan Segal that are out there all have their own basic characteristics. Still, sometimes the barrel that came with your clarinet shouldn't be rejected out-of-hand, because it was designed for that instrument, to work with the bore size and shape and perhaps a few other parameters of the clarinet.
The problem with the variety available in after-market barrels is that they aren't cheap and to give any number of them a serious test can involve a lot of expense - even if you're sending all the ones back you don't like, there are shipping costs involved and some retailers charge restocking fees if you don't buy something. And in the end, depending on what problem you're trying to solve, none of them may provide the solution you're looking for.
So, again in my opinion, you should first decide what you want the barrel to do, what problem you want it to fix, before you start sinking cash into a search (or simply buying a barrel without trying others because you've been told it's better).
FWIW, I tend to side with the others who have advised you to save your money and put it toward a better instrument if you've outgrown the E-11, because in my opinion other than general tuning level there is more difference to be had both south and north of the barrel than you will find in the barrel itself.
Karl
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Author: curlyev
Date: 2013-07-13 06:05
I like ringless barrels because they look better on my clarinet. I haven't noticed a difference in sound between the two. I love Backun Barrels personally, but you might consider a Ridenour Barrel, they are good on any clarinet. I like the sound of E11s. If you want to try a new barrel and can afford it, go for it. Worst case scenario, you have a backup barrel.
Going to a music store and trying some out might be good. If you see one you like online that is cheaper, I suggest trying it out at a music store first too so that you know it will work for you. What sounds good to one person may not sound good to you. I like Grenadilla and Cocobolo, but I prefer grenadilla on my clarinet. Rosewood is another one you might look into trying.
Clarinet: Wooden Bundy 1950s
Mthpc: WW Co. B6 refaced by Kurtzweil
Lig: Various Rovners
Barrel/Bell: Backun
Reeds: Legere 3.75
OKC Symphonic Band (just started this summer)
*playing 22 years (with a 5 year hiatus) and counting*
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Author: BobD
Date: 2013-07-15 12:37
I agree with others.....save your money
Bob Draznik
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Author: Carol
Date: 2013-07-16 13:21
Thank you to everyone who answered my question. My teacher suggested I buy a new barrel for tuning purposes. I figured if I were going to make such a purchase I might as well research it so I could make an intelligent purchase, not just based on length. At age 63 I joined a New Horizons Band and began learning to play a band instrument for the first time. So, four years later I'm certainly not very advanced and not yet ready to buy a significantly more expensive clarinet than the Buffet E11 I have. Probably someday I will, but not yet. In the meantime, I practice diligently and slowly make progress. I have never worked so hard at something, with so little progress and so much joy!
Carol
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2013-07-16 13:32
Tuning purposes is a good reason.
Figure out the proper length and go from there.
A synthetic might do you just fine.
Do not worry about the ring issue for now.***
The E11 should be fine for band purposes.
If you plan to solo or do chamber work, then you can move up.
enjoy.
disclaimer...I make and sell the custom barrel stuff.
***fixed from my prior typo telling you to "do worry about the rings."
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
Post Edited (2013-07-16 19:31)
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2013-07-16 13:58
Alseg wrote:
> Do worry about the ring issue for now.
Allan, did you mean this as typed or was it meant to say "don't worry?"
Karl
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2013-07-16 19:28
Worry.......be VERY ....very......worried.
Naw.......a typo.........I will fix it.
thanks.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: pplateau
Date: 2013-07-19 00:40
You could try several Muncy Winds Synthetic Diamond barrels; Very good , stable at various temperatures and give a good solid sound for not much compared to the top line competition. Good luck!
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Author: Gosseyn
Date: 2013-07-19 06:04
I was able to pick up a beautiful Chadash ringless barrel from eBay at a slightly more reasonable price than the Chadash website. (Seems like they are made for Buffet models anyway.) Not only looks good - gave me a big difference to the sound and especially improved the tuning of the weak Bb on my professional instrument.
If you have a good mouthpiece to start with, so much the better. Even if you do upgrade later, the better barrel might just go well with your new clarinet if you want to retain it or it might be a selling point for the one you have.
Regards,
Gosseyn
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Author: greenclar
Date: 2013-07-20 16:38
Hi Carol. I'm new to the boards here, but recently tried the Muncy barrels and they are very good for tuning and as previously stated are not that expensive. I have both an E11 and R13 and think that the barrel is helpful on both. Hope this helps!
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Author: pplateau
Date: 2013-07-23 20:08
I use a Muncy synathetic (diamond) on an older Yamaha YCL62 and on a Yammy plastic YCL250 (outdoors, backup). Gets them in tune just fine. (My CSG doesn't need any help
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