The Clarinet BBoard

Long Time Lurker First Time Poster

Author: clarinetwhistler  Date:   2005-05-12 12:40 Normally, I've been content to lurk about and read the interesting threads that my dear wife, aka, clarinetwife, brings to my attention. However, I had to post a few kind words about the Doctor's Powerbarrel. My wife plays with one of our church choirs and is usually on the quiet side through no fault of her own. So, I started reading up a bit on the Doctor's Powerbarrel and ordered one for her. My wife had already steered me towards his bore oil since I was looking for something to use on a mopane flute I'm acquiring (maybe I should've chosen a username like "flammable flute" Yesterday, it arrived and, as my sweetie was out at a rehearsal, I thought I'd give it a test drive ... just to make sure it worked, mind you. And, I have to admit, it is pretty amazing. I first tried it on my LeBlanc Concerto. I really love that instrument and can push it pretty well already. Still, I did notice some increase in volume, fattening of the low register (and high, actually), and evening out of tone throughout. Next, I pulled out my old Buffet R13. More noticible changes. Really nice. Might've thought twice about giving this one up as my primary instrument if I'd had this years ago (well, and if that pesky crack in the upper joint hadn't started causing problems). Finally, I tried the Powerbarrel out on my wife's Selmer Recital. That had always been a quieter instrument--a little on the shy side. Man, the contrast when using the Powerbarrel vs. the original Selmer barrel was amazing. It was a totally different instrument. I'm looking forward to hearing her impressions on the Recital and her 10G. I think my wife will really enjoy using the Powerbarrel. She ought to be able to play out in church better. Now, I'm anxious to try out that bore oil ....

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Re: Long Time Lurker First Time Poster

Author: Hank Lehrer  Date:   2005-05-12 14:40 Whistler, Welcome to the BB but wait until she gets home from rehearsal; boy, are you going to get it! HRL

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Re: Long Time Lurker First Time Poster

Author: clarinetwife  Date:   2005-05-12 15:19 Hank Lehrer wrote: but wait until she gets home from rehearsal; boy, are you going to get it! Ah, spoken like a man who has no doubt been married for many years I do like how the Power Barrel fattens the mid and lower chalumeau register in particular. It tends to be when I dip into the chalumeau that I could use a little more umph in church. I tend to play a lot of obligato parts and soprano descants that sound too screechy when your garden variety church soprano sings them. The choir has overhead choral mics and I am picked up somewhat by them. I have never really wanted to go for an individual mic in that group because I don't want to stick out that much. So, I am interested to try it out with the hubby out there listening. The barrel has a cool look too.

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