 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Gary
Date: 2010-10-23 00:30
Last Christmas, Woodwind/Brasswind (WW/BW) offerred a special on Forte C clarinets. I purchased one that came with one barrel (rather than the advertised two barrels). I found the clarinet to play well but a tendency be a bit on the flat side. I contacted WW/BW they said: 1) although a new instrument it was sold as good condition used and perhaps that explains the absence of the second barrel, 2) WW/BW had purchased the Forte clarinets from "the clarinet doctor" and I should followup with them. I have attempted to contact them via the internet, but no responses. Does anyone know if the site is defunct? Secondly, any suggestions about getting a barrel for a C Forte clarinet that has been discontinued? Suppose there are any barrels floating around somewhere?
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2010-10-23 01:23
(Disclaimer - I am maker and seller of Forte' clarinets)
WWBW was a distributor of Forte' C clarinets until a time when I could not keep up with their demand so I stopped supplying them to WWBW and only offered them for sale on my web site. Demand has also outstripped my supply now and they are backordered for a considerable time.
I do have replacement barrels and spare parts for sale - please contact me by email.
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
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Author: Gary
Date: 2010-10-23 06:08
L Omar, I would love to communicate with you. I tried the www.doctorsprod.com site again after seeing this post and I am prevented from accessing the email link. I am very happy with the C clarinet and would love to pursue purchasing a barrel for the Forte C to see if the second barrel would alter or affect the intonation. The barrel I presently have seems to fit the longest barrel storage slot in the case; I reasoned that the other storage slot that is a bit shorter could mean there is a shorter barrel available that might allow me to slightly increase the pitch.
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2010-10-23 12:46
Gary,
If you click on my name here on the post it will give you a direct email address. I cannot find a problem with the email on Doctor's Products ?
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
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Author: William
Date: 2010-10-23 15:11
Or, you could take your barrel to a repairperson and have it shortened a bit. It is not expensive and is quite effective raising the general pitch of the clarinet.
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2010-10-23 18:00
With metal rings on the barrel it requires shortening the barrel equally on each end, reboring the sockets, turning new grooves for the rings, and properly refitting the rings. Shortening one end and reboring that socket messes up the bore dimensions which are critical for "C" clarinet barrels. Perhaps someone would do it cheaper than the price of a new barrel, but it is not a trivial adjustment.
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
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Author: Simon Aldrich
Date: 2010-10-24 14:16
I use the Forte C clarinet in orchestra often, especially in the opera orchestra.
I use the shorter of the two barrels.
Gary - When you get the shorter barrel you might want to read the following thread:
http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=314698&t=314662
if you find the long B and C play too flat.
In terms of intonation, sound and keywork, the Forte C clarinet is a viable option to the top-of-the-line Buffets, at a fraction of the price.
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Simon Aldrich
Clarinet Faculty - McGill University
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre Metropolitain de Montreal
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre de l'Opera de Montreal
Artistic Director - Jeffery Summer Concerts
Clarinet - Nouvel Ensemble Moderne
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Author: Gary
Date: 2010-10-30 00:08
Thanks to the comments and to the helpful Omar Henderson, I am now the owner of the shorter barrel as well as the barrel that came with the instrument when I purchased it from ww/bw. The intonation while not dramatically different is so much better in the altissimo range than before. I will definitely be using the shorter barrel. I am now a very happy camper. I agree with Simon Aldrich that the Forte C is definitely a highly viable option to top-of-the-line Buffets!
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2010-11-02 18:12
I have always found the doc to be a great guy to work with. I remember when the demand wasn't so great...it's good they've finally caught on.
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2010-11-02 20:26
Can these clarinets still be bought?? I'm thinking of investing.
Peter Cigleris
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