 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2020-01-22 03:38
I have a 0.575 bore clarinet which plays extremely flat with 0.590 exit bore mouthpieces. After reading a response from Ralph "Vintage" Morgan, (http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=79415&t=78931), I'm quite convinced that I have a severe mismatch. I've read about the Moennig barrel, but, I'm not sure that it would bring it up to zero from a pretty consistent -40 reading.
I've done some researching for small bore mouthpieces and haven't been as successful as I would like. I believe the Selmer C85 series as well as the CL4/5/6 series have small bore outputs. However, I would like to stay with a medium (34) facing as this length appears to make it easier for me to form an embouchure. I'm very interested in the Pyne Polycrystal mpc, but, I fear it, too, would give me a very low pitch reading.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2020-01-22 04:22
Hello Dan,
Yes this is a common problem with clarinet bores.
A Moennig barrel could help, but there are issues now. Our friend Hans is long gone. Hans would really complain about how his custom barrels were made by Buffet and he would get pretty upset, because he'd have to use his own reamer to fix these. Well now Hans Moennig has left us so there is no quality control, so you may have to test about 10 or more to find one that works.
There is Guy Chadash who makes these and they are very good. They come in 2 styles, adjustable and fixed, the adjustable barrels don't fit in the barrel slots of clarinet cases. So you have to figure out if they will fit where the reeds night go and the swab, and all of the other things we put into our cases. Reed knives. cork grease. His reverse bore fixed barrels do fit.
You can also try smaller length mouthpieces. Vandoren has them and some of us custom mouthpiece makers also have them that tune to .442 on a normal bored clarinet.
Then at this stage Hans would adjust the clarinet itself. Fine tuning the horns. This is sometimes a lost art and not too many repairmen are left. But they are around! Email me if you need a few names. I'd go with Guy, have him set up your horns. Also, Guy does have reamers for the actual clarinet. Based of the gold years Buffet's. Take care Dan and keep us posted with what you do.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Max S-D
Date: 2020-01-22 06:23
Clark Fobes makes a less expensive tapered barrel out of an HDP synthetic material. I picked one up to go with a used clarinet and it works quite nicely. That might be a relatively inexpensive way to see if a tapered barrel would solve (or at least help alleviate) your problems without needing to go mouthpiece hunting.
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2020-01-22 08:17
Thanks Max for the tip. I emailed Muncy Winds as their synthetic barrels go from 63-67mm and are returnable whereas Clark's go from 64-67mm and are NOT returnable.
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Author: igalkov
Date: 2020-01-22 09:58
Hi Dan,
I'd consider give a try a Chinese barrels from Aliexpress. There's a shop called Moresky Factory Store, they doing they stuff good. Simple small bore, seems straight, no taper, but good machining, finishing and sound. They can do barrels on order when you message them. The only place I've found a 60mm barrel I needed! Made of something they call "Rosewood", looks like an old table leg was machined But they have a black wood as well as cocobolo. And the prices are really, really cheap.
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Author: Max S-D
Date: 2020-01-22 10:21
Isn't a tapered bore the whole reason we are recommending barrels, though?
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Author: Kenton153
Date: 2020-01-22 10:32
not sure .575 is a "small bore". that is the bore of my modern selmer clarinet.
what length of barrel are you using, reeds, mp etc. try a regular vandoren mp.. that is to say a non 13 series. non profile 88.
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2020-01-22 11:41
Max, from what I've read about the tapered bore, it does several wonderful things. However, it also adds resistance which I don't want. Brad Behn told me that the 0.575 cylindrical bore is like playing a Buffet B12. I'm currently looking at Ridenour's hard rubber straight bore barrel which has been getting some pretty good reviews from what I've read. However, it only comes in one size---64mm. Mine is the standard 66mm. So, it would help, but, I don't know how much.
Kenton153, I'm pretty sure the M13 non Lyre plays at 442 which would also help. And, yes, the 0.575 is considered a small bore. The only other size smaller that I know of is 0.565 and that is the Selmer Recital. Interesting, from the ad below, the Selmer C85 105 comes along with the clarinet.
https://www.wwbw.com/Selmer-Paris-Recital-Model-Bb-Clarinet-463106.wwbw#productDetail
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Author: Ed
Date: 2020-01-22 17:15
I believe Clark Fobes equipment is not returnable if you buy from him, but you may be able to do so if you order from one of the online shops.
You might also consider barrels from
https://www.lesnicholas.com/news
Les will bore a barrel using the measurements from your instrument and mouthpiece to fit it.
http://www.clarinetconcepts.com
makes all types of custom barrels
Both are highly regarded
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Author: m1964
Date: 2020-01-22 17:35
Dan Shusta wrote:
"...I'm currently looking at Ridenour's hard rubber straight bore barrel which has been getting some pretty good reviews from what I've read. However, it only comes in one size---64mm. Mine is the standard 66mm. So, it would help, but, I don't know how much..."
My own experience with shorter barrel was that cutting it down from 65mm to 63.5mm brought tuning up by about 20c. That was on a A R13 Prestige clarinet.
Maybe getting a cheap barrel and cutting it would give you an idea how long a new barrel should be.
Another consideration: is the problem related to bore size discrepancies only or is there another variable such as warped bore or altered bore?
Does the clarinet plays in tune by itself?
The R13P I mentioned above, was low in tuning across the board but, in addition, every note on the upper joint was higher in relation to notes on the lower joint. And still, it had a very nice tone/timbre and was very easy- blowing…
Good luck.
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2020-01-22 18:29
Hi m1964,
I'm quite sure it's the barrel length. On the Selmer Recital which is 0.565 they provide two barrels 1) 64.5mm and 2) 62.5mm.
If cutting yours down from 65mm to 63.5mm brought your tuning up about 20c, I suspect going from 66 to 64 should, according to my math, bring up the tuning to around 27c. Actually, going all the way down to 63.0mm would bring the tuning up 40.0c, again according to my calculations. Then a 442 mouthpiece might not be necessary.
I'll be in contact with Nathan Beaty today. I feel confident that we'll work this out.
Thanks for your input. Much appreciated.
My thanks to all who have contributed so far.
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