 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Travis
Date: 2008-08-20 02:18
I bought a Paris-made GM Bundy clarinet off the auction site the name of which we do not speak of here. I had some of the pads replaced and really liked the way it played - very free blowing and great projection. The only problem is that the barrel is smaller than a 'normal' barrel. Since I am a beginner I didn't really think to ask the seller about the size of the barrel and now I fear I am stuck with a clarinet that plays well but is too high-pitched to use practically. The upper and lower joints of the Bundy are the same length as my N-series Selmer so I'm thinking if I can find a replacement barrel that is normal size I can still use the Bundy...but where can I find a replacement barrel? Should I try to find another cheap Paris-made Bundy just for the barrel? My Selmer barrel won't fit the Bundy's upper joint. How can I be sure to match the bore size of a replacement barrel to the other joints of the Bundy I'm not sure what to do. I would be most appreciative of any advice anyone can offer.
Thanks in advance.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2008-08-20 13:43
Hi Travis, when you speak of " size", are you meaning length or bore diameter? My GMB #710 [top of L J], has a 7th ring [L H 3rd finger], its barrel [with GMB on it] measures 65 mm and is very slightly smaller [by little finger test] in bore diameter than the top of the U J. Will mike it if you wish. Hope this may help you, Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Molloy
Date: 2008-08-20 14:06
I collect and play old Selmers (Bundy Paris was Selmer Paris' intermediate-level brand back then) and am surprised by how often they come with shortened barrels, since they play sharpish to begin with (i.e. with long barrels). Why would anyone want them even sharper?
I'm surprised your Selmer barrel won't fit it. I just got out one of my old Bundys (marked G M Bundy Paris in sort of pseudo-gothic printing) and tried a 9* barrel and an old 'Brevete' barrel and they both fit ok.
If you're looking for a Bundy Paris barrel for authenticity, I think all you can do is keep watching that auction site and, like you said, be willing to buy another whole clarinet just for the barrel.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2008-08-20 15:06
Call around and find a large music store that does a lot of repair work for local school districts. They will probably have a big box full of old barrels salvaged from past wrecks. Odds are they will have something that will fit your clarinet and probably won't charge an arm and a leg for it (maybe an arm or a leg but not both) .
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Travis
Date: 2008-08-20 17:15
I measured the length of both the Bundy and Selmer barrels with a ruler at work. The Selmer measures about 2 5/8" and the Bundy is 2 5/16" (I'm not sure how barrel lengths are usually measured so I apologize if my method is not the standard). So the Bundy barrel is just about 5/16" shorter. I put my pinky finger in the bore of each barrel and I could not discern any noticeable difference. However the opening of the bottom of the Bundy barrel (that fits onto the UJ) is smaller than that of the Selmer which is why the Selmer barrel won't fit...the opening of the Selmer barrel is too big for the tenon of the UJ and does not fit snugly.
I may be able to take pictures of both if you think that will help or if you have other suggestions for measuring the length/bore size I'll be happy to take other measurements if I am able.
Jack - thanks for the suggestion, I'll try that.
At the end of the day I would just like to try some other barrels that fit so I can have a useable instrument - especially since this Bundy played so nicely (to me, anyway). I do have a few other clarinets and I can try the barrels of those on the Bundy - I'll try that and report back.
Thank you all for the responses.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2008-08-20 18:42
Measure length in mm
Bore measurements are done in hundreths of an inch (go figure) and need a caliper (internal bore type) to be certain.
Socket depth and diameter is best done with caliper and compared to the tenon (proximal, distal, and at the cork)
Hope this helps.
Allan
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-08-20 19:09
I have a 66mm plastic barrel, i think it came from a Bundy, but I'm not postive as to its origin - there are no labels or markings. I don't have a bore measuring tool. It seems identical to another one I have off of an old plastic Vito.
Its just gathering dust in my studio, if you want it, contact me offline with your snail mail address and I'll give it to you.
Would simply replacing the tenon cork with thicker cork fix your 'it doesnt fit' problem?
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2008-08-20 21:24
I "miked" my GMB U J, yes, cylindrical [what else back in the 1930's?] and its 14.8 +/- .02 MM, a medium bore in my view. I don't know more of Selmer's "bore history" than those of my Sels, my 1932 RI is 14.8 mm at mid joints, BUT 15.0 at the barrel's metal sleeve/extension, making me wonder if they "anticipated" Carree's tapered/polycyl bores ??? HELP ! My CT is 15.0 cyl. SO, if you want to match bores as well as barrel lengths, good luck. Alseg, you can see my preference for metrics, as I don't want to mess with the "odd-numbered eights" of an inch by conversion via X 25.4 mm/in, and I'm trying to NOT rekindle that fire !! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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