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RE: intonation

Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-10-28 19:15

Katherine -

Let's go at it methodically.

Try a friend's clarinet -- preferably a Vintage, but any good instrument will do. Is there the same problem? If so, it's you or the mouthpiece, or both.

Did you have this problem before you got your Fobes mouthpiece? Try your old one. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the Fobes, but you need to know. Since the register vent is differently placed on the Vintage than on the R-13, Clark may be able to fiddle with his mouthpiece to improve the intonation. Also, Clark makes barrels, which are a considerable improvement over what came with your Vintage and can often improve intonation. Guy Chadash can also custom-fit a barrel to your Vintage. A better barrel is probably the best solution, as well as the least expensive.

Once you've found out whether your particular instrument is out of tune, take an electronic tuner and find out exactly which notes are sharp, and whether the sharpness is the same in the chalumeau and clarion registers. If the sharpness is consistent (by the same amount from note to note), and the registers are out by the same amount, you can help things by pulling out the center joint a millimeter or two. You should get tuning rings to fill in the gap, or, as Steve Hartmann suggested recently, have a cork shim glued on to the end of the upper joint center tenon.

If the 12ths are out by different amounts, you will need some expert undercutting of the lower joint tone holes and probably a special register tube to bring the registers together.

If the problem is in the instrument, and it's still under warranty, you should get in touch with Francois Kloc, who has worked wonders with Buffets that have problems. Even if it's out of warranty, you should take it to him and at least get it diagnosed.

If you get no satisfaction from Buffet, the Brannens are able to fix a lot of intonation problems. They're excellent players and will let you know if your instrument is fixable.

Sadly, some instruments (including Buffets) are too far out of tune to be fixed. As David Hattner said recently http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=52277&t=52179 , and as I said too http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=41632&t=41584 , Intonation has to be the first thing you check when buying an instrument. If yours can't be brought in tune, you have to bite the bullet and think about trading.

Good luck.

Ken Shaw

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