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    | Author: Caco185 Date:   2007-08-17 23:59
 
 Hey folks!
 
 I am currently looking at buying a new barrel. The three recommended to me were as follows:
 
 Buffet Chadash
 Buffet Moennig                                                    All 66 mm
 Morrie Backun Cocobolo
 
 Does anyone know if any of these three barrels stands out as the winner from the rest?
 
 It's mainly for wind ensemble, symphonic, chamber music, and solo repertoire. My current set-up is using a Buffet stock barrel. The plain ole' barrel that came with the clarinet in 2000.
 
 I am also purchasing a Gregory Smith mouthpiece in the fall, if this helps at all. Currently, I'm playing on the Genussa Excellente.
 
 Thanks for any information anyone can spare.
 
 Dale Huggard
 Clarinet Performance Major, Michigan
 Buffet R-13 - Silver plated
 Genussa Excellente
 Spriggs Floating Rail Ligature
 Vandoren V12 #4
 
 
 
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    | Author: redwine Date:   2007-08-18 00:01
 
 Hello,
 
 Definitely check out John Weir's after market barrels and Allan Segal's.
 
 Ben Redwine, DMA
 owner, RJ Music Group
 Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
 Selmer Paris artist
 www.rjmusicgroup.com
 www.redwinejazz.com
 www.reedwizard.com
 
 
 
 
 
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    | Author: JJAlbrecht Date:   2007-08-18 00:30
 
 Something else to consider is that Greg Smith offers barrels matched to the mouthpiece you purchase.  Maybe you should discuss it with him.  This is not to discount the recommendations Ben made.  The gentlemen he recommended are fine merchants.
 
 Jeff
 
 
 
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    | Author: Ed Date:   2007-08-18 01:24
 
 You really have to see what works on your set up. That being said, try Clark Fobes barrels. They are outstanding.
 
 
 
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    | Author: Alseg Date:   2007-08-18 01:34
 
 Quick answer.......the one that works best for you.
 
 And thanks, Ben, for the nod.
 
 Long answer, or another question: What is it that the new barrel must do to help you achieve what you want.
 Example: My clarion notes are sharp by 10 cents, my long notes are flat by 5 cents, my throat tones are fuzzy, and my sound is unfocused.
 OR: I tried my friend's X barrel, and it helped, but........
 
 Armed with this info, the crafty barrel cobbler can help you.
 Present the info to the elf at Boutique d'Baril, and you can get one that will help.
 
 Disclaimer...I make and sell barrels, and sometimes even talk people out of buying them (drat)
 
 
 Former creator of CUSTOM  CLARINET TUNING BARRELS   by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
 -Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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    | Author: Paul Aviles Date:   2007-08-18 03:32
 
 I recommend the Chadash match that Greg Smith offers.  There was one that he sent along with the cocobolo Kaspar of his that was just crazy resonant.  I had a little issue with the tuning but the sound was just beyond amazing.
 
 
 ..........Paul Aviles
 
 
 
 
 
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    | Author: DavidBlumberg Date:   2007-08-18 12:57
 
 As you see there are many makers of high quality barrels. Try as many as you can and pick what works the best for your setup and playing. Any of the above will play better than a stock (straight) buffet barrel most likely.
 
 http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
 
 
 
 
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    | Author: Bob Phillips Date:   2007-08-18 20:35
 
 i think you need to experiment.
 i tried like 2-dozen barrels at ClarinetFest with John Weir listening in.  two Orsi & Weir barrels with the same taper and material were hugely different.  Two of different materials and the same taper were hugely different.
 
 Oh, and get a second/third opinion about how you sound with different barrels.
 
 Bob Phillips
 
 
 
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    | Author: Ed Date:   2007-08-19 03:28
 
 BTW- I have heard very good things about Alan Segal's barrels as well.
 
 As mentioned, have a good idea what you feel you need improved or changed. Besides listening to tone, evenness, response, etc. Be absolutely sure to spend some time with a tuner. Recently I had a chance to try a new barrel that had a very nice tone with a decent response, but the pitch was pretty far off. Not only did it make my instrument tune quite a bit higher, the pitch also varied quite a bit from note to note and register to register.
 
 
 
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    | Author: kuteclar Date:   2007-08-19 04:30
 
 If you can spare the money for awhile, buy a whole bunch at one time and compare. At least you can get a good idea which ones really work and which don't for you. The cleaning and restocking fees seem minimal when you can actually get the barrel that works best for you! Also, record yourself - many times what I can hear when I'm playing sound different recorded....at a distance.
 
 
 
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    | Author: bob49t Date:   2007-08-20 21:53
 
 Here's a thought........... use your own barrel and rotate it gently, to find what might be the most "ringing" position. Mark this in some way to relate it to your top joint. Get the most out of your own kit before moving on to compare.
 
 This very trial stopped me in my tracks from EAS (Equipent Acqusition Syndrome), shhhh.....but I did buy a Vandoren Klassic lig. (fantastic)
 
 Disbelievers don't believe the barrel and bell twist has any effect at all and discredit it as mumbo jumbo. Ignore it at your peril !
 
 Bob T
 
 
 
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    | Author: claritoot26 Date:   2007-08-20 22:43
 
 Dale,
 I also play the Gennusa Excellente with about the same reeds you do.  It works pretty well with my Moennig 65 mm barrel on the A, not as well with my Chadash.  I haven't really tried Morrie's barrels, but heard the wood tends to crack.  The mouthpiece also works well on my new Prestige Bb R-13 stock barrel.  I may go barrel shopping for that one day (I'll probably start with the Moennig), although I'm pretty happy overall for now.  Do try a bunch, and good luck.
 
 
 
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    | Author: Alseg Date:   2007-08-21 00:18
 
 bob49t is correct.
 The rotation along the logitudinal axis DOES change the "sweetspot."
 
 
 Usual commercial disclaimer applies.
 
 
 Former creator of CUSTOM  CLARINET TUNING BARRELS   by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
 -Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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    | Author: Aussie Nick Date:   2007-08-21 00:59
 
 Out of all the listed barrels in this thread (I have tried most) I like Backuns the best BUT they for some reason make my upper clarion C (back thumb only) flat. I really liked the new Zinner barrels when I tried them.
 
 Can anyone tell me any remarkable difference between the Chadash and the new Muncy's?
 
 
 
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