 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: johnwesley
Date: 2021-08-15 20:46
Attachment: barrel and bell.jpg (24k)
Attachment: barrels.jpg (98k)
Attachment: bells.jpg (29k)
This company from Pakistan makes Grenadilla and Cocobolo bells and barrels. They sell them on Ebay at a fraction of the cost of Backun. Look good in the photos. Any of you ever buy from them? I'm considering.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-08-15 21:04
The sockets will probably split from the moment you first fit them.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2021-08-15 22:30
I would probably concerned with quality of the wood and whether it is adequately aged as well as what the internal dimensions are of the bore and taper. I would tend to want to look toward one of the many well known barrel makers out there rather than take the chance.
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2021-08-15 22:33
They won’t, I have several sets of these and none have cracks whatsoever. The quality seems to have improved quite a bit in the last few years too.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-08-16 00:58
"Any explanation on why they'd split?"
Sockets on all wooden instruments need to be supported by a socket ring to counteract the pressure from within from the tenon cork. Without any reinforcement, the sockets are likely to crack at the weakest point which is along the natural grain lines of the wood.
You can't guarantee any ringless socket won't crack as they're far more likely to crack compared to sockets fitted with a socket ring. It doesn't matter how thick the wood is as the natural weak spots in any piece of wood are along the grain lines. Just because some ringless sockets are made with thicker rings which are purely cosmetic, that still doesn't prevent them from cracking if subjected to stresses from within.
You'd have to have the tenon corks sanded down and the tenons or the sockets refitted to ensure the sockets will fit easily and still feel secure, but they will be a relatively loose fit compared to what you can get away with sockets supported by socket rings where tenons should fit as close as possible without wobbling and the tenon cork both seals and holds the joints together securely.
If you like the look of ringless sockets and desire ringless barrels and bells, then it's entirely at your own risk. If you want added security, then you can always have the sockets carbon fibre banded to give them the strength they lack and still retain the profile of ringless sockets, but the banding will most likely be visible depending on how well it can be hidden with filler or left more conspicuous and called a feature.
There you go.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: LFabian
Date: 2021-08-16 07:08
Before COVID
Four years ago, I bought an Eb clarinet. I brought it to my tech because I found many anamolies. Parts are not replaceable. Cork is not real cork. Terrible odor. Holes were done by hand, scratches show. Metal parts were of poor quality and appeared bent in place. Very resistant and hard to blow. Anyway I stopped payment and returned it ASAP back to Pakistan. I found a collector who told me of their products. The company can’t compete with others mainly because they do not have the resources nor technology. They resort to lower prices, pretty pictures and of course lying that they make better instruments. I learned my lesson the hard way.
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Author: johnwesley
Date: 2021-08-16 09:21
LFabian. Thanks for the low down. You've probably saved many of us lots of dollars.
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Author: WalterG.
Date: 2021-08-16 15:08
The matter raised by OP raises some interesting questions of a differing nature. Some have been touched upon and answered. My comments are:
A. I don't know whether Fatboy is a trademark owned by Backun. If so, advertising and buying such a product may incur a legal liability unless the Fatboy is produced and exported under licence. It may be, however, that the name "Fatboy" is out in the public domain.
B. OP seems to be engaged in the never-ending search for a better sound, whatever that may be. I see nothing wrong with that. Hakim Din may be able to provide the solution, but it would be like buying a ticket in a lottery. The descriptions offered aren't exactly detailed. Still, one reseller in Bulgaria (and presumably his customers) seems to be satisfied.
C. Judging by the frequent appearance of high-quality second-hand barrels on trading sites, much that is bought has been found to be unsatisfactory for one reason or another.
D. This suggests that a careful process involving access to genuine expertise may be a way to go about buying one. There are several barrels that I would not hesitate to buy because they come highly recommended, if only I could be reasonably sure of an improvement over what I already have.
Good luck with your search.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-08-16 21:27
Howarth offered wide diameter barrels which were nicknamed either 'Wideboy' or 'Fatboy' back in the '90s.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2021-08-16 21:27)
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Author: Kim6141
Date: 2021-08-20 15:48
I bought one out of curiosity. barrel and bell. I can say for sure. It was the worst thing I've ever tried. you will regret if you buy this
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Author: johnwesley
Date: 2021-08-20 23:47
I appreciate your honesty. I've concluded through yours and previous posts that these are not worthy of my attention. Thanks....
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Author: ahebert
Date: 2021-08-24 21:08
This is good to know. I considered getting an Alto Clarinet bell. Maybe ~Not~.
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