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Re: Buffet vs. Moennig Barrels

Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2017-03-14 06:35

Don't buy the Moennig barrels unless you are playing on the older horns. Actually don't buy any Moennig barrels. They are probably off in measurements.

I was lucky enough to study with him in Philly. The new Buffet bores are too big, from about 1975 on.

I have his measurements. Not just the 67mm length.

Your best bet is to talk with Guy Chadash to get the right fit with the newer horns.

Even when Hans ordered barrels from Buffet often the tapers were off so he'd have to readjust them, thus the reason why I am suggesting to deal with Guy. Hans would get so mad at Buffet. I learned a few swear words in German.

Hans had a temper. When things weren't right he'd get pretty angry. This happened a lot when getting barrels and pads from Buffet. Sometimes he would throw away 4 or 5 pads before finding a good pad to use when working on horns. If he were alive today I'm sure he would not use Buffet pads.

On the 67mm barrel he used a .20" taper. On other barrels it depends...He always used a wood lathe, never used a hand reamer. Some tapers were only .10". He bought barrels 50 at a time, or more. Most of which needed adjustments.

Guy now has adjustable barrels and a type of plastic so the pitch should remain steady.

You may want to send your horns to Guy. He's not cheap. But the horns will play better in tune. Tell him "Hi" for me. He's a good man. One of the things I agree with him on is moving the octave key down. It's too forward. This one adjustment will help tune the newer Buffets, then match up a barrel to tune the 12ths. This can prevent a lot of undercutting holes and make the notes much more even.

So in general, a new barrel will NOT solve all of the Buffet issues. This is why I've made the switch to Yamaha, but if you have Buffet's spend the money and have someone like Guy adjust the whole horn with a matching barrel. You will then be a happy musician.

Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces

Yamaha Artist 2015

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Buffet vs. Moennig Barrels new

Elise W.

2004-08-07 16:48