Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-12-10 07:56
Firstly I need to thank "HANGARDUDE" aka Joshua for bringing the Martin Freres Company to our attention.
They are by definition a TRUE custom barrel manufacturer. If you provide them with accurate dimensions (length; interior socket diameter/depth; bore configuration - straight, reverse taper, double-reverse taper) they will make it that way AND in any number of various traditional and even more exotic woods.
Ok, most of you play R13s, I get that. And "other" custom makers really only have to make "Buffet" barrels then say, "try these out and pick the one that works for you." In my situation, however, I needed a specific length for the not so common Yamaha CSG (German style, circa 55mm barrel) a task other "custom makers" chose NOT to do.
I have a custom (again a truly custom) "fat-boy" style barrel made by Dr. Alan Segal that I have loved since I got it. The barrels without metal rings on both ends just seem to resonate better.
The Freres that I ordered is in Wenge (wood almost as dark as African blackwood but with very distinct thick grain running through it) mainly just to have another all wood barrel of the "short" length (54MM) to get me through Winter. I have to say that it is even more resonant than my Segal. This may be in part that there is less material since it is the Vase style rather than the 'fat-boy.' But it could also be that the Wenge wood being less dense (I don't think there is a wood more dense than African Blackwood). At any rate, the barrel adds more color and more delicacy at a time when I am needing a little more of both!!!!!
I also obtained the Martin Freres Ligature. This design is quite similar to the BG Revelation (pouch with metal insert that bends up into to parallel metal rails that are the only points of contact for the reed).
There are two BIG differences:
1. The Martin Freres ligature is ACTUALLY made of leather. I don't know why (and I'm not even going to try and guess (or convince anyone), but for some reason beyond my powers of understanding, real leather ligatures have a much better sound than their "leatherette" or vinyl counterparts (anyone old enough will remember that the Rovners were originally made of leather, a change that us old guys still lament to this day).
2. Instead of the little red or green vinyl insert that sits between the metal rails of the BG, Freres opts to not have anything in the space at all, but rather to glue down a very thin pad of leather across the whole metal gizm inside the ligature. This allows the reed to truly get held in place (unlike what happens with the BGs).
The Freres ligature sounds really darn good. So good in fact that even though I was just about to post my triumphant return to the Silverstein (at 4 times the price !!!) I am now a devotee of the Freres ligature............for now.
.................Paul Aviles
Post Edited (2014-12-10 09:47)
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The Clarinet BBoard
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