 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: S Whitehouse
Date: 2009-03-18 01:04
I'm new to this board and very much appreciate all the advise/opinions I've received looking through your past posts. I recently replaced my old Jr. High clarinet, and I ended-up buying a one owner 1964 Buffet R13. In addition to having a fascinating history, it came with a Moennig Barrel but no mouthpiece. What mouthpiece would be best best suited with this barrel? I'm just getting back to playing after a 20 year break and need all the help I can get. I know my Vandoren 5RV Lyre and old Hite Premier are probably not good matches with this instrument.
I appreciate any advise you may have and I apologize if this has already been discussed on another thread. I did look for an answer but didn't see one for my specific question.
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Author: liam_hockley
Date: 2009-03-18 01:50
People may disagree, but I don't think it really makes a difference. I use a Moening on my A, and and Orsi & Weir on my Bb and just swich my mouthpiece (M15) back and forth. The mouthpiece plays well on both instruments. Until recently, I used a 5RV and got the same results. Go with what's comfortable, and what tunes well.
-Liam
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2009-03-18 02:17
Hi S Whitehouse,
Actually, I've got Moennig, Scott, and Chadash barrels of various lengths that I use with four different clarinets (Yamaha CS, R13, LeBlanc L200, and Series 9*) coupled with a bunch of MPs (SWS2, B45, 5RV L, Portnoy BP02, and a Buffet C Crown). As Liam says "go with what's comfortable."
What might work well for me one day is not quite right the next. After a period of time, you can make just about anything work reasonably well. Barrel length is one thing but whether it's one of those I mentioned, experiment a little as the tuning on the 12th is what I have always used as the litmus test for a barrel..
However, I still keep going back to a stock wooden 65 mm barrel that John Butler reamed for me to Moennig standards for very little several years ago. It plays great on the R13.
HRL
PS But have some fun and document your trials and make it a learning experience. I do not know why your old MPs would not work. You never know when you are going to run across a MP that is really great (my main B45 has a tiny chip in the tip and I got it off of a $25 R 147 clarinet I bought that is a great player as well.
Post Edited (2009-03-18 02:19)
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Author: Pilot
Date: 2009-03-18 03:54
Moennig barrels were designed so the player can use a large bore mouthpiece on a small bore clarinet.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2009-03-18 12:01
"What mouthpiece would be best best suited with this barrel?"
No one can answer this question but you.
To elaborate on Pilot's response: the pitch of the notes of the second register are often a bit sharper than the notes of the second register. Often, but not always. Moennig's barrel has a reverse taper that brings the pitch of the second register in to line with the first.
So despite the fact that the barrel was obviously needed by the original owner, it may not be appropriate for you.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: S Whitehouse
Date: 2009-03-18 17:30
Thank you for all your responses. Going from my old plastic clarinet to an upgraded professional one, I do hear and feel the difference when I play. Going over the break, for example, is so much easier than I've ever experienced before, and the custom keywork is wonderful. I didn't want to assume this is as good as it gets only to find out my mouthpieces were mismatches with the clarinet's set-up and I'd merely just started to tap into the difference between the two clarinets.
I'm very excited to be getting back into playing, and I'll be sifting through the bboard when I have more questions. It's a great resource and I appreciate all the advise, suggesions and opinions offered.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2009-03-18 17:54
The Vandoren 5RV Lyre and Hite Premier are good mouthpieces. If they're in good condition, they should work perfectly well on your 1964 Buffet with a Buffet Moennig barrel.
Please describe the problems with the Moennig barrel. Is it poor intonation? If so, are the throat tones too high, too low or out of tune with each other? Or is it that the throat register is in tune but the high clarion notes are out? Or is it poor response or uneven tone color?
If you have noticed that the the exit bore of a mouthpiece doesn't match the entrance bore of the barrel, don't worry. This is intentional. For more, read the recent string at http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=296576&t=296552.
Ken Shaw
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-03-18 18:53
I just shove a calcium-encrusted Goldentone mouthpiece into the end of a paper towel roll (drilled with the appropriate toneholes), slap on an old, chipped #1-1/2 brown-box Rico, and honk away --- sound as good with that setup as on anything else I play. Take THAT, Morrie Backun!
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2009-03-18 23:20
I you line the inside of the paper towel roll with a banana peel, it gives a much sweeter tone.
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Author: S Whitehouse
Date: 2009-03-19 00:27
I really can't complain about the clarinet at all. It was VERY dry when I got it. The former owner died in 2003 at the age of 91, and the clarinet was stored in the family's music shop. I took it to a tech who was very impressed with the instrument and said all I needed to do was oil it. I am taking it in for an oil bath as the wood is still soaking up oil and I'm afraid of messing up the pads if I tried doing a thorough job. It'd give me peace of mind knowing the oil has saturated everywhere. (I read on another thread where someone's vintage cracked.) I was playing VERY flat at first but when I played it earlier I was right on the money.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2009-03-19 02:16
Ken-
...in theory most mouthpieces will work with that combination. I believe that S Whitehouse wasn't familiar with Moennig and what his barrels do. Hence her question.
FYI, the relative dryness of the wood and the overall pitch are generally unrelated.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: S Whitehouse
Date: 2009-03-19 11:29
James,
Actually, one reason I posted this question was because the tech who looked over and play tested my clarinet said my Vandoren was "overkill" and my Premier wasn't a good match either. The other reason was due to other threads I read about mouthpieces and various barrels, especially Moennig since it came with the clarinet. Some suggested you can mismatch mouthpieces and barrels. Hence my question.
Thank you for mentioning the pitch and dryness factor of the wood. I suspected it wasn't the case since it wasn't oiled between the times I played flat then in tune. My guess is "I" had to be broken in to this instrument seeing how I've really not played much in 20 years. 
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Author: S Whitehouse
Date: 2009-03-19 11:39
Thank you, everyone, for your input. Based on what I've read, I'm glad to learn I have two good mouthpieces.
Also, I found out that sticking the mouthpiece on a papertowel roll lined with a bananna peel works just as well too!!! I guess we can all fix any altissimo issues by merely switching out to a toilet paper roll.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2009-03-19 12:20
Hi S,
I think your tech should remain fixing the instruments and leave his mouthpiece advice aside. How COULD a mouthpiece be "overkill"? How could it be "too good" for an R13?
" Some suggested you can mismatch mouthpieces and barrels."
You most certainly can, but it is personal preference. YOU might discover that your Vandoren mouthpiece doesn't allow you the flexibility or freedom that you require in conjunction with your instrument, but there is no formula that can predict it.
It sounds like you have a wonderful horn, and a lot of excitement to play. Congratulations!
James
Gnothi Seauton
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