 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: John G.
Date: 2017-09-23 00:40
First, a few tidbits of info... I alternate back and forth between a 1935 Selmer BT and a '34 Radio Improved. I use a period correct (I assume) 64mm Selmer barrel on the BT and a metal lined 67.5mm Selmer RI barrel on the RI. I play strictly jazz clarinet by the way.....
My question is, what aftermarket barrels would *correctly* fit my BT and RI and since I know nothing about all of the various tapers that seem to be prevalent in current aftermarket barrels, what would be the best/most appropriate barrels to at least try out?
Personally, I'm happy with the barrels I have, but am curious to try some aftermarket ones. It doesn't matter to me if they're grenadilla, resin/delrin or any other synthetic material.
Oh, regarding "fit", I'm fully aware that the tenon cork thickness can play a role. I'm referring to the "depth" of the barrel sleeve as to how it will correctly fit the length of the upper stack tenon and not leave a 1-2mm gap.
Thanks in advance!
John
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2017-09-23 02:02
If you're happy with your current barrels and they play well in tune, there's really nothing you can gain from an aftermarket. Despite what many tend to think a new barrel will not drastically change your tone. Also given that most barrels tend to be designed for modern polycylindrical instruments, you may have some intonation issues from switching barrels.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: John G.
Date: 2017-09-23 23:11
Thanks jd.....yes, I understand and completely agree with your points! I'm just curious to try some out. Especially since original barrels for older Selmers like I play are pretty rare. Not looking to change my sound at all, but wondering if I'd notice any slight timbre changes.
John
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Author: shmuelyosef
Date: 2017-09-24 03:43
I would start by getting a simple bore gaging setup. I bought a Starrett set of I.D. gages from eBay a year or so ago for $50. I have a few dial calipers to measure with, but you can get good enough digital ones for $20-30. So for the cost of a cheap barrel you can answer your questions.
I don't have much experience with Selmers as old as yours, but my Centered Tones all have barrels that are approximately a taper with 3 or 4 different bore diameters through the barrel, and a much larger bore than modern clarinet designs. Almost all barrels (even old clarinets) that come with clarinets are larger at the mouthpiece end than the upper joint, either tapered or multi-stepped with some smoothing. The modern designs (Buffet original chadash and Moennig, new Selmers, Muncy, Scott, Ridenour) are between 14.8mm and 15mm at the top and some are as small as 14.6mm at the bottom. By comparison, my CTs are 15.3mm at the top and 15.1mm at the bottom. I have seen some R-13 barrels as larger as 15mm with very little taper (but they don't play so well). Series 9 barrels are 15.1 at the top and 14.9 at the bottom, so a little more compatible with modern barrels.
I like to play around with tech stuff, and have experimented a bit with the Muncy barrels (they are pretty cheap and the delrin is easy to ream or re-bore). You can get a nice very shallow taper reamer from Ferree's for $100 (like a medium-price barrel) and you can buy cheap plastic barrels from ebay for almost nothing. Just reaming a cheap barrel out with the Ferree's reamer to ~15.2mm at the top (that's the big end of the reamer) makes a playable barrel on CTs. Stopping at 15.1mm makes a nice barrel for a Series 9. I think that Ferrees has been making these since the clarinets mentioned were still in production.
If you are not a DIYer, most of the manufacturers have this reamer and can do this for you...in fact, my understanding is that this is what they do when you want a custom barrel. I have measured a lot of them and the taper is always the same. Just the maximum diameter and the depth where the taper starts is different.
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Author: John G.
Date: 2017-09-24 07:42
Thank you shmuelyosef. Excellent points. As much as I'd like to tinker with trying some aftermarket barrels on my old Selmers, it's just not worth wasting my time and spending the money if I'd have to alter them!
I appreciate you taking the time for the lengthy response!
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