Woodwind.OrgThe Clarinet BBoardThe C4 standard

 
  BBoard Equipment Study Resources Music General    
 
 New Topic  |  Go to Top  |  Go to Topic  |  Search  |  Help/Rules  |  Smileys/Notes  |  Log In   Newer Topic  |  Older Topic 
 Conn model 17/my first wood clarinet
Author: Suitman 
Date:   2010-05-21 12:12

I have a recently over-hauled Conn 17, that was given to me by my fellow third clarinet player in my community band. My previous clarinet was a poor condition Armstrong I used in marching band for 4 years with a Woodwind educator G8, a D. Bonade inverted lig, and a vandoren 3 reeds. I bought the clarinet second hand and literly played the life out of it. My main instrument is the bass clarinet, but after graduating high school I no longer have one to play, thus my switch to sop. My Armstrong finally fell to a condition unplayable by anyone, so I now have it displayed with some other old plastic clarinets given/bought for sentimental reasons. When my fellow player learned of my situation, he said he'd bring me a clarinet he had lying around, that didn't really work for him, thus how I came by it. I'm using a Selmer Goldentone mouth piece, with what seems to be a generic fabric inverted lig, with Vandoren 3 reeds. I have a horrible tuning problem in the throat tones, being that the sounds produced are perfect semi-tones. My current solution is to pull out the mouth piece and barrel to just where the cork starts to show, then adjust the middle joint as needed. I also have a buzzing low C and E flat. I do not have the alternate barrel.

I really love the feel and tone I get from this horn. I play a wide variety of styles, and it meets my demands quite well, which can be exstensive. I'll do anything to get it just right. If any one has anything they can add to help me, I will graciously take their advice. I have no problem changing my set up in any way, so any thoughts on that would be great. I thought about buying a new barrel and bell, but I have no clue where to look.

Thanks in advance,
Suitman

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Conn model 17/my first wood clarinet
Author: Ursa 
Date:   2010-05-21 19:22

The first thing I'd try: Round up all the mouthpieces from your collection of horns, and test them out on your Conn. Hopefully, you'll find one or more that helps even out the tuning.

I have six mouthpieces and four clarinets. Not one mouthpiece in the lot plays in tune on all four clarinets. On my horns, when using a mismatched mouthpiece, the most glaring tuning fault is sharp throat tones. I'd be willing to wager that the Selmer Goldentone is simply a mismatch for the Conn.

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Conn model 17/my first wood clarinet
Author: Suitman 
Date:   2010-05-21 21:40

Well, I only have the Selmer and and the woodwind educator worth using. The rest are extremely old hard rubber bundy's or vitos that need new cork and look horrible. They are student level, and I can never get a very good sound out of them. Just in case though, I did try the ones I thought were good enough. They failed miserably in that all hope was lost in articulation and that they felt stuffy.

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Conn model 17/my first wood clarinet
Author: Ursa 
Date:   2010-05-21 22:43

I would be tempted to see if one of your other clarinets has a longer barrel than your Conn. If so, try it on the Conn and see what happens.

Failing that, your next logical step would be to consult a good technician. There could be issues with leaks or improper pad heights on the upper joint. A good tech could make a quick diagnosis.

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Conn model 17/my first wood clarinet
Author: Suitman 
Date:   2010-05-22 00:22

Ok, putting a plastic barrel on a wooden clarinet is a big NO!! I'm pretty sure there is improper pad seating, but the techs around here aren't worth the gas money to get there and find out. I'd have to send it off somewhere, so I'd be better off fixing what I deffinately know is wrong, myself. I've done it beofore, so I've no problem with it.

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Conn model 17/my first wood clarinet
Author: Mark Charette 
Date:   2010-05-22 01:58

Suitman wrote:

> Ok, putting a plastic barrel on a wooden clarinet is a big NO!!

Who lied to you?

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Conn model 17/my first wood clarinet
Author: Suitman 
Date:   2010-05-22 02:06

Why would you want to do that? It'll probably sound aweful, and the wood won't be able to expand properly because of the plastic. Correct?

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Conn model 17/my first wood clarinet
Author: Mark Charette 
Date:   2010-05-22 02:44

No and no.

There are some pretty well-respected barrels made of material other than wood (Robert Scott barrels come to mind immmediately) and I've never heard of any particular problems with any plastic barrel sticking.

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Conn model 17/my first wood clarinet
Author: JJAlbrecht 
Date:   2010-05-22 04:29

I have used hard rubber barrels on wodden clarinets with fine results. Someone fed you a line. Use whatefver sounds best in your collection. It won't damage anything to try.

Jeff

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Conn model 17/my first wood clarinet
Author: Ursa 
Date:   2010-05-22 08:06

You certainly don't have to take my advice, but I was hoping to help you find some answers testing your setup using equipment you already have at your disposal.

Please consider that some Armstrong, Bundy, Normandy, and other wooden clarinets came equipped with composite barrels and bells. One can safely mix and match barrels without worry.

When you find a barrel length that works on your Conn, you could then order an aftermarket wooden barrel, confident that you'll be ordering the proper length. There are some truly magnificent barrels being made these days, some sold by sponsors of this forum. I personally use Ridenour Ivorolon hard rubber and Backun MoBa grenadilla wood barrels. Both are excellent.

My very old Normandy is equipped with its original composite bell, as it has been since 1953 or so, and has suffered no ill effects to the lower joint/bell coupling. I've received nothing but unqualified praise for the tone quality of the instrument.

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Conn model 17/my first wood clarinet
Author: doonebug 
Date:   2019-07-16 01:25

I know I'm adding to an old post, but for anyone that is troubleshooting the buzz around C4, add some pipe tape to the middle joint to make the joint REAL snug.

Reply To Message
 Avail. Forums  |  Threaded View   Newer Topic  |  Older Topic 


 Avail. Forums  |  Need a Login? Register Here 
 User Login
 User Name:
 Password:
 Remember my login:
   
 Forgot Your Password?
Enter your email address or user name below and a new password will be sent to the email address associated with your profile.
Search Woodwind.Org

Sheet Music Plus Featured Sale

The Clarinet Pages
For Sale
Put your ads for items you'd like to sell here. Free! Please, no more than two at a time - ads removed after two weeks.

 
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org