 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: fskelley
Date: 2017-11-11 18:38
For several days now I've been using a new $85* Berkeley tunable "Freedom Barrel" model FACB-01. Plays nicely enough- I can't tell any difference vs the barrel that came with my 576BC. And the tuning aspect is stellar, can't imagine I will ever go back.
I had briefly considered a $45 alternative hyped at ClarinetFest, but that one rotates the mouthpiece as you tune, that's no good. The Berkeley adjusts with the mouthpiece staying put.
Somehow I was expecting clicks, that I'd be able to learn how many clicks to expect to need each day between cold and warmed up. But mine is silent, probably better in a quiet playing setting anyway (sour grapes?). And while I haven't yet honed in on some predictable number of turns per day, I am already making needed adjustments quickly and consistently, no muss no fuss. Better than I had hoped. As I said, no going back.
This is not a game changer. But it is worth the cost and trouble, for me at least.
(* I found mine on sale for $70, but pretty sure it was the only one seller had.)
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ursa
Date: 2017-11-11 20:50
Thanks for the review, Stan! For those of us who play in non-climate-controlled spaces, this could a very useful accessory.
Did you check the tuning with a meter?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: fskelley
Date: 2017-11-11 22:16
Hi Ursa.
Every day I have an iPhone tuner open and am periodically checking. With regular barrel (65mm) I would start pushed all the way in, then need to pull a bit a couple of times per session, but of course that's imprecise so it's really adjust / check / adjust / check most times. With the Freedom barrel, I set initially, then when I'm off I'm learning that a twist or 2 in the correct direction generally nails it. A "where have you been all my life" kind of experience.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: gavalanche20
Date: 2017-11-11 22:27
What’s the material of the barrel? I think I read the other one you were referring to (I believe it’s called the match pitch barrel) was 3D printed.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kalashnikirby
Date: 2017-11-11 22:31
Seems like they copied the Idea from the Paulus&Schuler Zoom Barrel, which is made of both Grenadilla and Plastic and actually sounds better than the one that came with my RC.
It's a little irritating to see this great invention in a probably cheaper and (I presume) lower quality version, but then again I wonder why the Zoom Barrel isn't marketed in the US.
Correct me if I'm wrong and this concept existed before. At any rate, great for musicians performing in some sort of ensemble.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: fskelley
Date: 2017-11-11 23:18
The Berkeley Freedom barrel is "anodized aluminum alloy".
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Klose ★2017
Date: 2017-11-12 00:06
Definitely a cheaper version of P & S. I remembered P & S actually have a patent for their invention.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kalashnikirby
Date: 2017-11-12 13:58
Which is why I'm rather piqued by this news...
I've never seen AL as an material that resonates well on a woodwind instrument. P&S have put some serious amounts of R&D to make a nice sounding barrel and point out that one goal was to have a permanent connection between the tenon and the lower (grenadilla made) part of the barrel, something you lose when pulling out the barrel and thus impeding resonance.
Or something like that - to me it just sounds more freed up and in tune, much better than when I pull out the regular barrel by 2-3mm.
Post Edited (2017-11-12 14:04)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
