 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Ed
Date: 2023-07-20 03:07
Curious if anyone has any experience and thoughts having used Brad's adjustable barrel long term. While it is probably not an essential item, I am somewhat attracted by certain features. I like that with rubber or synthetic, the bore will not change over time as can happen with wood. There are some nice rubber or synthetic barrels out there, but the adjustable nature can help if playing in varied temperatures or settings. Anybody have any comments?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: SecondTry
Date: 2023-07-20 08:25
I own a P&S adjustable barrel.
I very much like it, not simply as a adjustable barrel but one that simply plays better for me than my non adjustable barrels.
I played an outdoor concert tonight where I had to adjust pitch to match others a couple of times. Being able to spin a dial allowed more precise control over pitch than pulling out a sharp barrel.
But life would go on if I never got this item, much that I'm glad I did and think it money well spent in a sea of gizmos for clarinet that don't deliver on claims.
I have every reason to think Brad Behn's products in this space are nothing short of superb. Brad appears to give considerable thought to designing any of his products, and is quite good at what he does.
And I'm also of the belief that the closer a section of the clarinet is to the mouth, the more it tends to matter.
But that said, the reality is that a dimensionally stable adjustable barrel is still limited by the dimensionally unstable wood clarinet it may be attached to.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Musikat
Date: 2023-07-20 21:08
I have one and use it frequently. It is especially good for switching between Bb and A. I got mine when they were an introductory price. Once, I let a friend borrow it and it got completely stuck. For a small fee (I think $30? My friend paid), Brad fixed it and sent it back with a special tool should it happen again. So far it has been fine.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: gwie
Date: 2023-07-25 02:11
I had P&S Zoom barrels for years, worked nicely.
I currently play on the Behn adjustable with the stainless steel ring. It's awesome! No issues on my end, despite the rather intense temperature and humidity changes on the east coast.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2023-08-02 19:10
I’ve used one of the Behn adjustable barrel for over a year. It’s a great barrel I can’t imagine there would be a problem using it long term.
Tom Puwalski
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed
Date: 2023-08-03 04:25
Thanks Tom. I asked because often you find with any of the equipment people can be excited at the outset and then after time change their opinion.
Curious- are you using the one with the hard rubber adjuster or steel? Have you played both?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JoeRomano
Date: 2023-08-03 06:30
I am curious about these adjustable barrels, especially as they claim they can be used interchangeably between A and Bb. I currently use Clark Fobes, but separate barrels for A and Bb. He claims the different bores of the two instruments require different barrels, which seems sensible. Yet, some barrels are interchangeable. Does that mean they are a compromise in any sense?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed
Date: 2023-08-03 14:56
I have known of some players who used the same barrel on both Bb and A. That never worked for me. I always found that using the slightly different bore size on each was better for tone, response and intonation as Clark suggests.
It may be personal taste or perhaps how your mouthpiece bore works with that particular barrel.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: HANGARDUDE
Date: 2023-08-03 19:36
Ed wrote:
> I have known of some players who used the same barrel on both
> Bb and A. That never worked for me. I always found that using
> the slightly different bore size on each was better for tone,
> response and intonation as Clark suggests.
>
> It may be personal taste or perhaps how your mouthpiece bore
> works with that particular barrel.
It also depends on the instrument you play too- The Selmer Présénce & Privilege use barrels of the same bore on both Bb & A. Also when I used to play Buffet RC Prestiges I use the same barrel length on both Bb & A, and the intonation & sound differences between the A & Bb are minor enough for me to use the Bb taper barrel on both most of the time. Even though I do like the A taper a little better on the A I'd much prefer to move the barrel along with my mpc, ligature & reed between clarinets so the reed & lig wouldn't be moved out of position by accident. And I am using Clark Fobes' barrels on Bb & A. YMMV I guess, but I digress.
Josh
Post Edited (2023-08-07 09:26)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Max S-D
Date: 2023-08-04 21:01
I have used a Behn adjustable barrel with the hard rubber adjustment ring for about two years now and I am completely happy with it.
I don't use it for Bb and A clarinet because I usually like different barrel lengths on the two instruments and I just find my A clarinet seems to play best with the barrel it came with. Easier for me to set each barrel where I want it on each clarinet and swap the mouthpiece.
But I don't find myself playing near as much A clarinet these days as I used to, so I use the Behn 95% of the time when I play now.
It has come in especially handy on my 1901 Buffet that likes a 68mm barrel length. That old thing plays fairly in tune with this barrel on it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
