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searching for the "perfect" barrel

Author: Musikat
Date: 2021-05-13 01:16

I may be looking for a unicorn, but I thought I would ask here in case anyone has any suggestions on what I should try. I have an older R13 (1977) and pair it with a Gregory Smith 1+ and Aria or Pilgerstorfer 3.5 or 4 reeds. Like many of these Buffets it has some tuning quirks in the 12ths, and it has also always felt a little resistant going across the altissimo break. Now, a few times at clarinet symposium type events I have had the chance to try to Uebel clarinets and one of the things I loved was how seamless they felt. There was no change in resistance at all (that I could perceive in a quick trial) from register to register. I also liked the tone.

I am not in a position to buy a new clarinet, sadly. But I do think that barrels can really change the "feel" of the clarinet and to some extent the tone, and of course tuning. I have tried (in order): the original, Robert Scott, Wesley Rice, Walter Grabner, Chadash and MoBa. My favorite for tuning and feel so far has been the Chadash, especially tuning! I wanted to love the MoBa, but the resistance and tuning aren't working for me (as predicted. Darn!) and will probably be sending it back.

Here is my question: those of you who maybe have a similar setup to mine, should I just get another Chadash (I am looking for a different length), or is there another brand or model I should try that might get me closer to the evenness I loved in the Uebel clarinets, AND the tuning help the Chadash provides? I have not tried Fobes or Behn. Would either of those possibly be better? And which models if so? A different Backun model?

It's my birthday month and I have Gear Acquisition Syndrome! LOL

Thanks in advance!

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