 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: MSK
Date: 2016-01-04 06:23
I have a Buffet R-13 A clarinet with a serial number that dates it to 1974. I purchased it used and overhauled by a respected member of this board about 8 or 9 years ago. It came with a new 63mm "Zinner" barrel rather than the stock barrel. I was told this improved the intonation. I have no complaints about the intonation or the instrument as a whole, except that the barrel keeps getting stuck on the tenon. This is most likely to happen after periods of heavy use such as a rehearsal or concert that is 100 % on the A. As best I can tell the problem is the barrel socket rather than the tenon which is what the local tech also believes. The cork has already been shaved. Unfortunately, the local tech lacks the tools &/or skill to fix the barrel. Since he is the only tech within 50 miles, I am faced with either driving several hours round trip in hopes of getting the barrel fixed or just replacing the barrel.
My dilemma is that since I have never played the instrument with the stock barrel, I don't know how it plays or what replacement to get. For my Bb, I have a Wesley Rice and a Moening both of which I had a chance to try out in person. I'm not looking to go any higher end than those since I am not a professional. The instrument is played in a community orchestra composed of local music teachers and skilled amateurs
Any advice would be appreciated
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2016-01-04 11:31
I'd have some reservations about the quality of your local tech. This is a simple matter to fix and can be done with materials that your local hardware store can provide for about $5.
Tony F.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2016-01-04 21:29
I would think that the problem is most likely that the top tenon is moving slightly with the extended exposure to moisture - in which case a new barrel is unlikely to fix the problem.
Shaving the cork would have zero effectiveness in fixing this and as Tony mentions it brings the competence of your "Tech" into question.
The real fix is relatively simple for a half competent Tech and requires measuring the ovality that occurs when the tenon swells and carefully removing only the slightest amount of wood from the tenon shoulder (almost always the shoulder closest to the main body) to provide a slight clearance of just 2-3 thousanths of inch.
It is with care possible to do this yourself but, if in doubt, better to go to a good tech.
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Author: CEC
Date: 2016-01-05 02:55
I'm with Norman. My Bb R13 had a similar problem. Your best option is to have the top tenon turned down a bit. Even if it means sending your horn off to a competent technician, it will be well worth it in the long run. Not only is the tight fit annoying, it can lead to a crack.
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2016-01-05 07:20
NO, NO, NO, NO!
Do not turn down your tenon on the body of the clarinet. Maybe, if you're in Paris at the factory, go for it.
If anything, the inner socket of the barrel could be addressed.
Best bet? Get a real Buffet barrel. The R13 A clarinet barrel IS a different bore size and shape than the B-flat. (There may be those who disagree, but, sorry - they are incorrect) the A clarinet should be a 65 mm barrel. They are readily available.
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
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Author: CEC
Date: 2016-01-05 20:18
Maybe I was just lucky. Or maybe I misunderstood and the tenon was just sanded or shaved, but after numerous barrels freezing and two of them cracking, I was grateful for the solution (thanks to Larry Naylor).
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2016-01-05 23:20
If the wood portion of the tenon has expanded so that a majority of barrels stick, then the solution is to turn the tenon using a very precise lathe and very sharp chisel.
If it is just one barrel sticking, then the tenon socket on the barrel can be enlarged. If the wood is cocobolo, please remember that cocobolo shrinks and expands much more than African Blackwood and can cause the tenon socket to grip the tenon.
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
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Author: MSK
Date: 2016-01-06 02:53
Grabnerwg: I don't have any other A barrels, but have three Bb barrels. They would be unsuitable for use in ensemble rehearsal, but is there a good way to use them to test out the "tenon vs socket" question? The existing barrel is black, looks like the Grenadilla of my instrument, and wasn't sold as cocobolo so I assume it isn't.
I don't trust the local band store tech to carve on my instrument, he's more suited to minor repairs such as pads or tenon corks. That sort of work would definitely have to leave home. If the problem is the barrel and not the tenon, replacing the barrel would be easiest. Of course if it's the tenon I have not choice but to leave home.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2016-01-06 03:48
The dimensions of the Bb a A sockets and tenons for any given make and model of clarinet should be exactly the same (we are not talking about the bores which are sometimes slightly different) so the Bb barrels would fit the A.
Having said that measuring many makers barrels will always show slight differences (of a thou or two) even between seemingly identical models so some of your Bb barrels might stick but others not.
That's where a micrometer or vernier guage comes in handy.
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2016-01-06 17:32
I would ream the barrel rather than take wood off the tenon. The clarinet is old and is likely to actually be smaller than original. The barrel is new, not original, and of less value. I use reamers that are from the Buffet factory, but adjustable reamers are available and it is also possible to do it slowly by hand without a reamer by sanding and or scraping.
Steve Ocone
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2016-01-07 16:08
This is a common issue with many new clarinets and the most common problem is the bottom of the tenon swelling so it is usually best to remove a small amount from it.
This is a different case since it's not an original (or same brand/model) barrel and you are not using it on any other clarinets anyway. So I wouldn't do anything to tenon unless you you can try several barrels and confirm a problem with it. Like others suggested in this case I'd adjust the barrel to fit the tenon.
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