 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: skennedy
Date: 2010-11-24 18:33
I have a Bb clarinet in the 18,000 series with an upper joint diameter top measurement .594" - .593" and the bottom of the upper joint .577" - .581"
Question:
Is it possible that the top joint was reamed after its manufacture?
Would it be better to use an R13 Bb barrel or an A barrel? A .67mm
seems to put it in tuning range for me.
The original barrel was missing, and I am trying to decide if it is worth the effort and expense to replace it. My Moenning, Chadash, and Muncy barrels give more tuning problems than a stock Buffet A clarinet barrel with shims. The instrument has a nice sound that is of course different from a modern Buffet.
Thanks
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-11-24 22:27
The 18000 series dates from 1935. With the right barrel and mouthpiece they can be wonderful.
In 1935, the bores were polished to a high gloss. To determine whether the top joint has been reamed, point the upper joint toward a bright area on the wall and look through it from the top. If the bore looks dull in the area above the register vent, it has been reamed. If it has been reamed, it was probably to adjust the tuning, and if it still is out of tune, all bets are off.
Old barrels are even more likely than upper joints to have been reamed, so it will do little good to look for an old barrel.
Try using your A barrel without the shims, leaving a gap between the mouthpiece and the bottom of the socket that increases the bore volume. Guy Chadash said that's what Moennig did. http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=240654&t=240546
Kal Opperman said that the barrel reverse taper is different for pre-R13 clarinets than it is for later ones, so you'll need a custom barrel made. You might get in touch with Guy, who makes barrels and can tweak the bore to improve the sound and intonation. http://www.chadashclarinet.com/
The mouthpieces also had different bores. Most players used Chedevilles. You should contact the makers who offer Chedeville copies to find out what they recommend for an 18000 series instrument.
Good luck.
Ken Shaw
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Author: John Peacock
Date: 2010-11-25 21:38
I measured a 1934 (top: 0.585" bottom: 0.587") and a 1936 (top: 0.593" bottom: 0.586"). I'm pretty sure from the smooth bore that neither has been reamed. So it seems Buffet changed their dimensions from year to year and yours doesn't seem that unusual.
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Author: skennedy
Date: 2010-11-26 06:47
I tried pulling the mpc and the barrel without the shims, and it made quite a difference. The intonation and tone both improved. I really appreciate the help.
Thanks,
Steve Kennedy
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