 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ChuChu
Date: 2015-11-28 02:02
I like this particular new R13 Bb clarinet I tried but it has low intonation by 10 cents on the bottom low E and F and throat E and F. What is the best way to raise the pitch without causing other problems?
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2015-11-28 03:19
Most clarinets have a low tendency on bottom E and F unless you have the extra venting keywork fitted.
10 cents on throat E/F is probably within voicing range or you could have a tech do mild undercutting and compromise 5 cents low on E/F and 5 cents high on their twelths.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-11-28 05:04
Live with it - it's better to have the low E and F flat rather than a sharp upper B and C. That's the compromise makers have to make and for players to deal with.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2015-11-28 05:18
For bell E and F. It's common. Some clarinet techs have experimented with a venting mechanism or vent hole, but you'd have to send it to a tech.
For the throat E and F (thumb and forefinger, and thumb I assume), it's common enough that I just steer folks clear of buying a new R13 or R13 prestige. It's been a problem on the majority of ones I've seen.
For what it's worth, when I have to play an R13 with those lowered tones, I found that venting the side Bb key was necessary to bring it up into pitch. Especially on any F or E for a longer duration.
Best of luck. If you have the patience, time, and money, find a good tech and see what they can custom tune. I have two custom tuned clarinets and they are WORLDS above any new clarinets I've tried.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Wes
Date: 2015-11-28 09:15
On the R13 Prestige I have, there is no need to tune those notes as they can easily be played in tune. On some R13s, I've undercut the next lower tone hole which raises the left hand E or F but does not hardly change the corresponding upper register note. For the bottom E and F, undercutting can help the F and some techs add a hole for the low E. Voicing the note can also help. Good luck!
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2015-11-28 09:56
For "throat" E, check that the first open tone hole pad is not too low.
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Author: Matt74
Date: 2015-12-01 19:08
I have an R-13 circa 1993. The throat E and F are terribly flat. There is a funny "line" in the bore right about there. The polycylindrical bore is shaped with three reamers of different sizes, then sanded out. I think that one of the edges where the top reamer ended didn't get completely sanded out, which means that the bore may not be within specs. I think that's why the notes are so flat. That's just my theory.
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Author: John Peacock
Date: 2015-12-01 19:22
First of all check the tuning on the B/C. If those are flat too, then you may be able to take a simple step of raising all bell notes by drilling a hole in the side of the bell. This sounds a terrible thing to do, but some instruments (Uebel, Amati) do it by design. This has been discussed quite a bit on this board - use the search for drilling hole in bell.
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2015-12-03 01:18
This can be helped first by analyzing your mouthpiece/barrel/upper joint acoustic relationship, then altering the clarinet permanently (if necessary) by undercutting.
Coincidentally I found that switching to an inverse taper barrel helped this tremendously.
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Author: Klose ★2017
Date: 2015-12-03 10:26
If you really want a perfect solution to the flat low e/f, then add a bell mechanism which is operated by the right thumb or send back to Buffet to add a Tosca like bell mechanism (with low E correction) but operated by right little finger. However, both of these are not cheap, around $1000.
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