 The Oboe BBoard
|
Author: mschmidt
Date: 2010-02-07 16:55
I've been playing this Bulgheroni rental oboe for a few weeks now, as my Marigaux was taken from my house by thieves. Obviously, a rental instrument is likely to be a poor specimen of the type, as it wasn't the first choice of those who wished to buy, and probably has seen some abuse by the relatively inexperienced players who have previously used it, so please don't generalize my comments to all Bulgheronis!
Anyway, this rental Bulgheroni probably has some hidden leaks, as the low notes are reluctant to speak. (I've spent a fair amount of time trying all sorts of adjustments, so I fear the problem may be with pads or pad seats.)
What I find remarkable is that the thing speaks much better in all ranges with reeds tied on Chudnow staples. I don't have many Chudnow staples, because I never managed to figure out how to get blanks that don't gap at the sides of the tip with these staples. But I did have a blank tied up on a Chudnow staple for some reason, and I made a reed with it, and it's my best reed with the Bulgheroni. I resurrected another reed on a Chudnow staple and it's my second-best with the Bulgheroni. Reeds made on Dunkel staples are ok; reeds made on my usual Guercio (Klopfer) d12 staples hardly speak at all on the Bulgheroni.
I find it hard to believe that the differences in staple bore shape have that much to do with the speaking of the instrument. But the area of the top opening of the staples is largest for the Chudnow, and smallest for the d12. Could it be that there just isn't enough air coming in through the top of the d12 staples to maintain the standing pressure waves in the instrument because of the leaks in the instrument?
Or is it the case that the bore tapers of d12 is just completely incompatible with the bore taper of the instrument? The Bulgheroni seems to be a narrower bore instrument (like my old Prestini, whose loss I also mourn) and is thus likely to have a less conical bore, just as the Chudnow staples seem to have a less conical bore. I can only get the d12 staples from Germany, where Marigaux is also very popular. Perhaps the d12s are uniquely suited to more conical-bore instruments like the Marigaux?
Mike
Still an Amateur, but not really middle-aged anymore
Post Edited (2010-02-07 16:56)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jhoyla
Date: 2010-02-07 17:14
Hmm, interesting theory, Mike, about the volume of air being a factor - that has my vote! One of the reasons the oboe is so vulnerable to leaks is the tiny amount of air it takes (when compared, say, to a saxophone or bassoon). When the air-flow is tiny, a tiny leak makes that much difference.
Also, the chudnow staples are likely to seal better - an O-ring will always seal better than a lump of cork, and any gaps at the bottom will be perfectly symmetrical.
You can test your theory by sending a couple of your d12 tubes to Thomas Nissen at oboetube.com. He will recork them with his plastic+O-rings patented corks. That way you'll be able to see whether it is the wider opening or the o-rings that make the reeds sound better on the Bulgheroni.
Regarding getting the tip to close all the way to the top - try a little less tension in the string as you wrap over? It may make a difference. There is a delicate balance between the closing angle of the tubes, the tube tip diameter and the shape of your cane. If it is opening at the top there may be too much closing pressure lower down causing a fulcrum effect half way up the reed. A slightly looser wrap at the top may give the cane a little more leeway.
2c,
J.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Alphons
Date: 2010-02-07 17:23
Mike is it possible that your quersio staple reed is harder to blow anyway.
For me it is always obvious that if I am constantly trying to make my reeds blow easyer the problem in most cases is a leaking instrument.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mschmidt
Date: 2010-02-07 17:33
The Chudnow staples I have are the CA variety, with the cork, not the o-rings. The Bulgheroni does have a wider reed well than my old Marigaux, so I am wrapping my d12 and Dunkel staples with teflon tape to make them seal well...the CA staples are a pretty tight fit, but the others are not.
Mike
Still an Amateur, but not really middle-aged anymore
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: lbarton
Date: 2010-02-07 18:05
I suspect the problem is in the condition of the rented Bulgheroni. Several of my students have the simplest, cheapest model of Bulgheroni and one of the best selling points for buying a new Bulgheroni was not only the price, complete key work, but the ease of blowing, including low notes. Most of them use simple Dunkel , ready made student reeds and even the young 12 year olds do fine. Later , when they can afford it they may consider moving up to Laubin, Loree or Marigaux, and more sophisticated and expensive reeds and reedmaking.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mschmidt
Date: 2010-02-07 20:00
Well, things are getting better as I continue to fiddle with "the usual suspects." (You know which screws I'm talking about.) This instrument probably has been sitting on a shelf for a while and daily adjustments may be in order for a while.
Mike
Still an Amateur, but not really middle-aged anymore
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: hautbois
Date: 2010-02-08 13:15
The Chudnow CA staples (and the Stevens Pro 2 staples) were the ones which worked the best for me on my Marigaux 2001 oboes. I tried many varieties (though not the ones which you said you used). Somewhere in your theory you may hve to account for that. Perhaps the bores of the Marigaux 901 and the Marigaux 2001 oboes vary significantly.
Elizabeth
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mjfoboe
Date: 2010-02-08 14:06
Hi to everyone,
I find that Glotin 45 mm brass staples work extremely well with my Marigaux 901.
Mark
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mschmidt
Date: 2010-02-08 23:27
That data argues for theory 1 being more likely than theory 2, which seems to be the direction this conversation is leaning in general.
Mike
Still an Amateur, but not really middle-aged anymore
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
