 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Aaron7175
Date: 2014-02-08 05:51
I am a high school clarinet player and have been playing since middle school. A year ago I bought a new Yamaha advantage 400 ad clarinet because I needed something better and it was the only one I could afford that I thought would be worth the money. I have been really pleased with it overall however I am always tuning really sharp. My private teacher says that often times student model clarinets have shorter barrels To compensate for bad embouchure of beginning studentss , but he was surprised that my barrel was like that. My barrel is a 65mm barrel. From what little I've read it seems that is a little short. I have to pull out the barrel to the bottom of the cork and I still have have to pull the two middle joints apart a little bit, my A, Bb and G# are still a little sharp. I don't like pulling out the barrel any farther because I feel like it sounds a little off when I do that. At first it didn't bug me very much, but now I've improved a lot over the last year and during an honor band the tuning issue was really frustrating. My teacher is encouraging me to buy a new barrel, but I don't know much about the different kinds. I've been looking at the Backun barrels, but they have several different styles. Is there something specific I should know and would a 66 or 67mm better?
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2014-02-08 01:17
Hello,
Generally a cocobolo barrel would be preferred but the type of wood is purely preference. You can buy a generic cocobolo barrel for under $40 on ebay so if price is an issue this would be a good option. As for backun they have built up a reputation of being high quality and have been shown to improve tone. You can buy what they call "studio barrels" which are barrels with cosmetic flaws for $125. Make sure you know the socket size of your old barrel so you can make sure your new one fits. In my opinion I would go with the 67.
Btw if you've ever wanted to get a new mouthpiece get it before you get your barrel because that could also affect intonation. Barrels come in lots of different sizes, mouthpieces don't.
Hope this helps.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2014-02-08 06:22
Judging by what you're saying (your A, Bb, and G# are still a little sharp after pulling out your barrel), I'd say you're a good candidate for a longer barrel.
Barrel preferences are up there with mouthpiece preferences. You're gonna get a ton of answers. Not sure whether 66 or 67 would be better. I'd suggest picking a company that allows barrel trials and requesting at least one of each to find the best length for you.
As far as brand? Whatever you wanna do. I have a taplin-weir barrel for my personal clarinet, a robert scott barrel for my outdoor clarinet, a backun barrel for my work wooden clarinet. I've played on a Bay barrel, lee springer barrel, moenigg, muncy, chadash, and probably a few more. Some barrels DO match the clarinet better than others, but I'm not sure about the yamahas.
I recommend giving Muncy Winds a call and asking their opinion. I've bought stuff from them in the past and they're my preferred store. He's a GREAT technician, and should definitely be able to steer you right.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2014-02-08 09:28
jdbassplayer wrote:
"Generally a cocobolo barrel would be preferred"
Why? Do you have any evidence, e.g., widespread use among professionals, to support this statement?
jdbassplayer also wrote:
"You can buy a generic cocobolo barrel for under $40 on ebay so if price is an issue this would be a good option."
Have you personally used one of these $40 barrels? If not, what (other than low price) is your basis for recommending them? Do you really think all barrels are created equal? Can bore design affect tuning? tone? Do you think there might be a reason the eBay barrels are so cheap?
Aaron,
To determine the length you need, I would suggest you measure the distance you have to pull out and add that amount to the length of your existing barrel. Then choose a length that is somewhat shorter. You can always pull out a bit to correct a slightly sharp clarinet. You can't push in to correct a flat one.
Getting help from someone like Phil Muncy is good advice. Based on his experience, not only can he recommend a length but he will probably have some ideas regarding which make(s) and model(s) tend to work best with your specific clarinet. He will also likely be willing to send you a few barrels of different lengths and designs for you to try on approval.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-02-08 21:29
I would kinda avoid a Cocobolo barrel as someone who is probably not looking for another problem. Cocobolo is a more reactive wood that expands and contracts more than African Blackwood, making it a little more prone to "fitting" issues and cracking. I am not speaking of sound or aesthetics here certainly since that is a personal choice.
The 67mm length seems appropriate to the described intonation issues.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2014-02-09 01:22
Before you invest in any model of barrel, be certain of the bore dimensions of your own barrel. You have a Yamaha barrel made specifically for your model.
If you select a barrel designed for a "generic" instrument, you may be surprised at the result.
Perhaps you could go to a large retail store with a chromatic tuner in hand and try some barrels, or have a tech measure your barrels inner dimensions.
Also consider where the instrument is used: Indoors only? Marching band outdoors? Wien Volksverein? etc.
Disclaimer...I make and sell barrels for many models of instruments.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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