 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Clark W Fobes
Date: 2008-06-05 06:49
It has been really wonderful to read the kind comments posted here and also interesting to read some of the criticisms and comments.
The idea for my Eb extension came from my work with bass clarinets extended to low C and the very occasional full Boehm system clarinet. In both cases it was evident that the sound of the long B natural was much improved when it was produced from a tone hole rather than the bell. I had never seen or heard of this in conjunction with a clarinet, but I was aware that it had been used for English horn. I have some prototypes for Bb clarinet that I made some time in the 1990s, but they did not work well. My first successful extension was made for David Niethammer who was the Principal Clarinet with the Richmond Symphony. I don't recall the exact date, but I believe he contacted me in the year 2000. He needed a longer bell for his early 1900s Buffet C clarinet, but I suggested that I try making an extension instead. It worked beautifully, but I did not make another extension until Jan of 2002. This was made for my R-13 Eb clarinet and I was amazed at how well it worked. In addition to the improved B natural my clarinet had a much more even and warmer sound throughout the registers. I used it for two years before making about a half dozen for the Klarfest in Utah in the summer of 2004. They were a bit of a hit and I recall that I sold all but one. It was at that time that I showed my idea to the fellows from Buffet and they said that Buffet had at one time made something like it for the Elite clarinets. It took a while to catch on, but last year I sold 60 and it looks like I will sell at least that many this year. I am working on a similar concept for Bb and A clarinets.
Most modern Eb clarinets have about the same bell tenon dimensions as Buffet clarinets, but the Selmers are a bit problematic. I do make some extensions with larger tenons, but they are usually a special order.
Barrels are not a fix all for intonation problems of clarinets, but a compression of the barrel bore with a taper rather than the virtually non tapered large diameter barrels supplied with Buffet clarinets is definitely an improvement. The upper left hand of Buffet R-13 A clarinets can be drastically sharp. Even a good barrel cannot help some instruments. It is best to avoid instruments that are more than 10 cents sharp in the upper left hand.
Finally, I do try to answer every e-mail inquiry that is sent to me. Some times thing get sent to the Spam filter and MANY times people try to send me e-mails, but misspell "FOBES" no R!!!! They misspell "CLARK" no E!!! or they leave out the "W" in the domain name. clark@clarkwfobes.com
I am very sorry that I will not be able to attend either the Oklahoma conference or the Klarfest in Kansas City. I have the wonderful pleasure of playing 2nd clarinet in performances of "Rheingold" with the SF Opera until Jul 1. Several of my dealers will be there with my mouthpieces, barrels and extensions.
Clark
Clark W Fobes - Clarinet & Saxophone Products
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Author: Ryder
Date: 2008-06-05 15:25
I can't wait until you release the "sort of extention thing" for Bb and A. I've never been satisfied with the overall tone and feel of long B. I have your San Fransisco CF+ mouthpiece and absolutely love it.
Thanks for your amazing products and contribution to the clarinet world.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2008-06-05 20:08
Thanks for your informative post, and a little history about how you came up your wonderful Eb extension. Most of the NYC professional Eb clarinet players are now using your extension, or are seriously considering buying one.
I'm also thrilled you are posting on the BBoard, and can answer questions on all your exciting new "stuff."
Be well, you are terrific!
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2008-06-06 11:27
Let me add to the kudos!
I've played Eb clarinet since 1965 and I've never been happier now that I have your mouthpiece, barrel and extension on my Eefer. They make a world of difference in the sound, intonation and control of that instrument. It truly is a joy to play! My colleagues have also remarked on this so it's not just my opinion.
THANK YOU BIG TIME!
Eefer guy
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Author: Wes
Date: 2008-06-06 19:18
Thank you, Mr. Fobes, for your fine products and your articles.
I've found that an annular ring of playdoh on the inside of my Eb upper bell area fixes the tuning on the bottom end notes, but I suppose I should put something more substantial on the instrument, such as an extension. I wish for something that would also raise the pitch of the E,F,F# in the altissimo without special fingerings, needed now.
As a player of old full Boehm Buffets for many years, I've also seen that the bottom E/B were fine. On my newer normal R13s, those notes are also fine, as are the instruments.
You mentioned the English Horn. As a player of the oboe family of instruments, I would comment that one must be careful in extending the length of an EH as some common second register "wolf notes" can be affected by extensions. These notes are those which are wobbly in pitch or amplified as a result of the resonance of the vented bottom part of the instrument. On many EHs, this would be the G2 and Ab2, which can be fixed by alternate fingerings. Thus, when one puts on a Bb extension on the EH to play the Mahler melodies, the second register may be affected. Bocals cannot change the basic acoustic characteristics.
Good Wishes!
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Author: William
Date: 2008-06-08 23:00
Just auditioned my new Eb extension and would like to report the following: 1) it was a perfect fit for my Yamaha 681--like it was "mean't to be" there from the factory; 2) it did not seem to have any effect on my effers intonation, which is already pretty good; 3) it seemed to add some "ping" to the overall sound of my Yamaha which I consider desirable--more like the Buffets. The "scale" of my Yamaha is already quite even so I noticed little improvement there, except with the B4 & C5 which seemed to speak easier and with more "presence". I am looking forward to playing it in an orchestral setting because it is there that any improvement in the overall sound will be most evident--at least, for me.
The Fobes Eb extension--well worth the expense for the serious clarinetist. Even if the improvement is only minimal (as with my Yamaha 681), all of us effer players know that we "need all the help we can get". I wish to add my thanks, Charles, for coming up with this idea--every Eb clarinetist should have one.
BTW, I use a Charles Bay "custom" mpc (shortened Bb reeds/Winslow lig) and play with the stock Yamaha Eb barrel shortened by my local repair tech to 42mm.
Post Edited (2008-06-08 23:12)
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