 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: socalife
Date: 2015-08-08 18:08
I need to replace a Buffet B12 barrel on my daughters clarinet- I have priced them out and new they run from $150-210. Not wanting to spend that much money.....
My question is, are all Buffet B12 barrels basically interchangeable? I was thinking about buying a used clarinet off eBay for $100 or less, and using the barrel, and it would also give me an extra bell- since we are using this clarinet for marching only.
Thoughts?
Post Edited (2015-08-08 18:09)
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2015-08-08 19:20
If you live near a music store that does a lot of band instrument repairs, it might be worth paying them a visit. Such stores often have boxes full of old parts and you might be able to find a replacement barrel for a small fraction of the cost of a new one.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2015-08-08 22:24
$150-200 sounds well off for price of B12 barrel. Here in UK even Howarths which is one of the most expensive stores list them at £58 approx $90 including 20% UK tax. USA is usually quite a bit cheaper than UK.
Yes the B12 barrels are interchangeable, the surface finish has changed several times over the years but any one should work OK.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2015-08-09 02:02
Is there a decent repair shop nearby? If it's only a crack it might be cost-effective to have it repaired.
Karl
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-08-09 02:24
A socket graft (assuming the top of one of the sockets has broken off) will probably cost more to do than buying a replacement plastic barrel. The problem with B12s is the ABS resin used to make them is easily melted if the machining is done with too much speed or force and a lot of moulded plastic barrels don't have a great degree of concentricity, so it could end up wonky with the bore and socket or the socket and outside diameter being slightly eccentric.
I think you can't go wrong buying a donor B12 for parts - try to find one of a similar era as there have been around six (or maybe more) slightly different versions of the B12 since the mid '80s, or a couple more on that if you count the previous incarnations which were the B&H Regent II and the plastic Evette before that - all of which were made by Schreiber.
The barrel on B12s was 66mm long but the current models have a 65mm barrel according to the catalogue - personally I'd recommend a 66mm barrel if you're in the US and tune to 440Hz as the 65mm one may cause things to be on the sharp side in the left hand notes. The more recent barrels also have plastic socket rings instead of metal.
http://www.flipbooks.buffet-group.com/BuffetCrampon/ENG/
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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