 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-12-10 07:56
Firstly I need to thank "HANGARDUDE" aka Joshua for bringing the Martin Freres Company to our attention.
They are by definition a TRUE custom barrel manufacturer. If you provide them with accurate dimensions (length; interior socket diameter/depth; bore configuration - straight, reverse taper, double-reverse taper) they will make it that way AND in any number of various traditional and even more exotic woods.
Ok, most of you play R13s, I get that. And "other" custom makers really only have to make "Buffet" barrels then say, "try these out and pick the one that works for you." In my situation, however, I needed a specific length for the not so common Yamaha CSG (German style, circa 55mm barrel) a task other "custom makers" chose NOT to do.
I have a custom (again a truly custom) "fat-boy" style barrel made by Dr. Alan Segal that I have loved since I got it. The barrels without metal rings on both ends just seem to resonate better.
The Freres that I ordered is in Wenge (wood almost as dark as African blackwood but with very distinct thick grain running through it) mainly just to have another all wood barrel of the "short" length (54MM) to get me through Winter. I have to say that it is even more resonant than my Segal. This may be in part that there is less material since it is the Vase style rather than the 'fat-boy.' But it could also be that the Wenge wood being less dense (I don't think there is a wood more dense than African Blackwood). At any rate, the barrel adds more color and more delicacy at a time when I am needing a little more of both!!!!!
I also obtained the Martin Freres Ligature. This design is quite similar to the BG Revelation (pouch with metal insert that bends up into to parallel metal rails that are the only points of contact for the reed).
There are two BIG differences:
1. The Martin Freres ligature is ACTUALLY made of leather. I don't know why (and I'm not even going to try and guess (or convince anyone), but for some reason beyond my powers of understanding, real leather ligatures have a much better sound than their "leatherette" or vinyl counterparts (anyone old enough will remember that the Rovners were originally made of leather, a change that us old guys still lament to this day).
2. Instead of the little red or green vinyl insert that sits between the metal rails of the BG, Freres opts to not have anything in the space at all, but rather to glue down a very thin pad of leather across the whole metal gizm inside the ligature. This allows the reed to truly get held in place (unlike what happens with the BGs).
The Freres ligature sounds really darn good. So good in fact that even though I was just about to post my triumphant return to the Silverstein (at 4 times the price !!!) I am now a devotee of the Freres ligature............for now.
.................Paul Aviles
Post Edited (2014-12-10 09:47)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: dibble
Date: 2014-12-10 12:38
So, Paul, mouthpieces don't have an inherent sound but your new ligature sounds "really darn good" ?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-12-10 13:10
Yeah, I know. I am a series of contradictions at times.
Alexi convinced me in a recent post to "give the Silverstein another chance." This is what I had done the last two days. Yes, I still feel the acrylic mouthpiece is much more tonally "inert," however I was picking up enough of a difference between a gold inverted Bay and the Silverstein to post a bit of an update.
Enter the arrival in the post today of the Martin Freres products. Upon seeing the ligature I knew that this was going to be a very interesting product!
Another part of what I said about the Silverstein that hasn't gone away (by a long shot) is that there is an "inconvenience factor." I have to turn to the clarinet to the side in order to tighten the ligature.
Now let me very quickly add that THIS may be the reason why a LEFTY (southpaw) might be the ideal candidate for the Silverstein. The Silverstein is equally easy to get to for either hand (of course the threads of the nut are still tightened clockwise). Funny, I never thought about how hard ligature life could be for a left handed person until now (they suffer having to find left-handed scissors - something us "righties" never even think about). Could any of you comment on this? Do you take a standard ligature (screws on the bottom) and just "invert" it?
But, I have to say the Freres ligature quickly jumps to amongst the top ligature designs for me with the better material and the 'covered' metal plate.
Sorry that I cannot be more steadfast. Life is a mixture of elements, not "black OR white," "right OR wrong."
..............Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2014-12-10 16:07
Paul,
IMHO it is the shape not the material. I have their grenadilla vase-style on Penzel Mueller and absolutely love how it sings!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed
Date: 2014-12-10 20:31
FWIW- Clark Fobes makes barrels for other clarinets (Signature, CSG, Tosca) as well as for the R13. He makes these in Cocobolo, rubber lined and synthetic in addition to Grenadilla.
So much of the equipment is personal taste. What works for one, or what one likes, does not necessarily fit someone else. The only way to know for sure is to try.
That way you'll find your ideal set up (until you change your mind) ;-)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Alseg
Date: 2014-12-11 01:23
Paul, if you want to make my barrel more resonant, we can make some modifications.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: locke9342
Date: 2014-12-11 03:01
Another thing the Martin Freres ligature has over the BG is that it's cheaper
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2014-12-11 03:50
slightly off topic, but Paul, do you know any maker who does custom non-wood CSG barrels? I really liked my Ridenour barrel, but I'm pretty sure he doesn't make CSG barrels.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-12-11 04:44
Dear Dr. Segal,
I don't mean any slight to your product whatsoever!!! I am still very pleased with what your barrel has to offer. I also have two identical mouthpieces from ESM save for the 'resonance' vs. 'less resonance' factor.
Each piece of equipment allows me another level of flexibility. The main reason for the Freres was to nail down another good source and to just have another "short" barrel for the colder months.
As for synthetics, other than the mention above about the Fobes, I'd check to see if either Dr. Segal or Freres would turn hard rubber, or acrylic.
Interesting citation about price. Back when I bought my series of BG Revelations (last Summer) the price was considerably more. Now the prices are very similar (though you'd think the actual leather product would be more).
..............Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2014-12-11 07:10
I'm not sure if Fobes offers hard rubber lined or synthetic barrels for the CSG yet, but he does seem to offer the regular ones. Freres looks like they only offer wooden options at the moment, looking at their website. Also I was not aware of Wes Rice barrels, but it looks like he makes custom lengths for wood and delrin so that might be an option.
If Dr Segal is reading this, I would love to know if he does hard rubber or synthetic barrels.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Alseg
Date: 2014-12-11 19:51
I like hard rubber and certain synthetics, but they require changes in settings to work with in the shop. I do not care for Delrin so much for reasons I will not get into here.
I helped design the Chedeville(R) hard rubber barrels that are available for Buffet type bores.
I do not make custom synthetics, only wood, in my shop.
Clark Fobes has a new line of synthetic barrels you could check out if you need another type of barrel.
disclaimer: I receive a fee for my "intellectual" contribution to the design of Chedeville barrels from http://chedevillemp.com/rbuy/barrel
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Roxann
Date: 2014-12-14 03:08
My MF ligature arrived today...three days after I ordered it! I don't have the ear a professional has, but even to my ears, it sounded great...much cleaner than the ligature I've been using. Thanks for the suggestion, Paul.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
