 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2021-07-06 17:12
Hi everyone,
I'm looking for a tuning ring that will go on the tenon at the top joint of my Bb clarinet. I can't seem to find this anywhere, I can only find rings that go inside the socket.
I want to use the same 65mm barrel on my A & Bb, so it would be convenient if I could just quickly put it on the Bb and push in all the way (against the tuning ring).
Thanks!
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2021-07-06 17:43
The best solution is to go to the o-ring section of your favorite hardware store and find an o-ring that will work. O-rings are ideal because they can stretch over the cork and are available in a wide variety of sizes.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Tony Pay ★2017
Date: 2021-07-06 18:43
Superglue a socket ring to the top of the tenon.
I find that this works well with my boxwood period clarinets, using the same barrel for both Bb and A. (The 'A' barrel needs to be slightly longer.)
Tony
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2021-07-06 19:03
The gluing idea is best.
If you think about it, any ring that only fills the "visible gap" is purely cosmetic. The idea of a "tuning ring" is to fill the gap that affects the performance of the air column, not to make the clarinet look better.
Due to various fluid tuning issues I have presently, I am pulling out to the point were I am exposing a bit of the tenon cork.........and I am still not really experiencing any negative tuning issues (no rings of course). However a 2mm longer barrel is in my near future I fear.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-07-06 19:13
It's more important the bore has as few steps in it which is where tuning rings do their job, whereas a tuning ring that fits over the tenon is purely cosmetic.
I can understand that it will remain in place better than a tuning ring, although tuning rings can always be tacked onto the end of the tenon or in the barrel socket using contact adhesive as that's not going to be a permanent fix.
Notice the term 'tacked onto' and using contact adhesive instead of flooded with a ton superglue or epoxy which is often the case with DIY jobs which will make it more of a challenge to remove them and risking damage in the process.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: John Peacock
Date: 2021-07-06 20:42
> any ring that only fills the "visible gap" is purely cosmetic
I don't entirely agree with this. Yes it has a cosmetic function, but there is also the issue of stability: a tuning barrel that's pulled out a long way is more likely to wobble, and having a solid base underneath it is a good idea.
For this pair of reasons, I had Howarths of London machine an ebonite ring for me, which did the job perfectly. It wasn't very expensive, and I suggest you contact them - although most good repairers who have a lathe could probably offer the same service.
This difference in length has been a continuing irritation in all the years I've played Buffets. I understand that the bore in an A & Bb barrel should in principle be different - but surely Buffet could at least have made them the same length, so that you have the option of a barrel swap for super quick changes? I have occasionally been tempted to have 1mm taken off the top of my A for this reason, but have never had the courage to make such a radical change.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-07-06 21:21
It is purely cosmetic if it doesn't fill in the gap left in the bore when the barrel is pulled out. And besides, a tuning ring will also offer just as much stability when the barrel is fitted just as much as a ring fitted to the tenon provided the tenon ring at the shoulder is engaging with the open end of the socket.
If you've had to pull the barrel out so much that the tenon cork is showing, then both types are going to be just as stable (or unstable) as each other. A tenon ring won't magically stabilise things if the socket isn't supported from within and cork offers no support as is already proven.
If you're having a tuning ring made (the one that goes in the socket), then have the inside diameter made to 15mm or more for two reasons - the bore at the top end is larger than the specified bore diameter of the instrument because of the expansion and if the tuning ring is loose within the socket to make it easy to remove, it won't intrude into the bore when it's gone off-centre.
And if you're having to pull the barrel out by well over 3mm, then consider getting a longer barrel.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2021-07-06 21:30
I'm glad you didn't change the length of your horn! You have to believe that the tuning of the horn was done as close as possible at the point of manufacture. It's enough that we introduce all forms of third party barrels.
As for stability, you get quite enough with straight corking and perhaps making the cork a firmer match for the chosen barrel's lower socket. I suppose if you play in an ensemble that can maintain a very narrow parameter of pitch through a full rehearsal/concert and beyond to cover EVERY meeting under EVERY climate and venue change, then it would be fine to get a barrel that performs the same way fully pushed in (and warmed up).
However, I've yet to experience any such perfection. I in fact need some goodly amount of leeway to adjust up or down in pitch to match given situations. This is why I INSIST on being pulled out under "normal" circumstances about 2mm as a ballpark. This way I can move a little either way. My current circumstance is unusual, NOT ideal and a little long in explanation.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-07-06 22:56
Always better to stay in the shallow end than to get out of your depth.
If you've had to deal with the damage done through good intention, then that's clearly done by people getting out of their depth.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2021-07-07 17:10
3D printing is an option if you want one made.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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