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Re: Barrel stuck to Upper Joint

Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2013-08-08 15:01

The wood parts of the joint are binding - you're right that it isn't the corks - probably the end of the tenon at the bottom of the barrel socket. It usually results either from a poorly fitted socket and tenon and swelling of the wood under very moist or very warm conditions. I've not generally found that chilling the clarinet works very well - I would never actually freeze it, but even putting it in a refrigerator makes me uncomfortable (though I've done it without success a couple of times).

I would generally echo Gordon's advice - you can try two people, one on the barrel and one on the upper clarinet section, to try to twist them apart. You should be the one holding the clarinet part and being as careful as possible not to be holding on to anything that can bend. I have usually been able to separate stuck barrels by carefully rocking the barrel (what I assume Gordon means by "bending"). In almost every case, the bind has eventually let go just enough to get the barrel moving. I'm a little leary of trying to wedge the barrel up once an opening is created (with razor or knife blades), mostly because once I've gotten the barrel to budge even a little, it usually relaxes without it and will gradually twist off.

Definitely have a tech adjust the fit once the parts have been separated (or, since you're going to take it to him/her anyway, have it separated at the shop if you can't budge it). Also have the tech check for any bent keys that may have happened while trying to separate the parts. And if you get it freed yourself, don't push it together all the way before getting it to a shop, even if you don't feel it starting to bind when you assemble it. Extra cork grease won't solve this problem even in the short run.

Karl

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