 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: mamanvatsa
Date: 2020-11-29 19:01
I guess most clarinet players are pretty familiar of how length, bore and shape of the barrel and bell affects the sound, as well as the relationship between the two. I'm not interested in those who aren't, and are used only to factory gear, but more for the ones that experiment with custom made gear.
Anyone, please share your opinion on what barrels & bells you use (length, or other specs.), for it may vary according to the brand of instrument, but still!
And to be more clear, my point here is about the quality of sound, intonation and dynamics for the very instrument itself, sounding good in all these parameters tuned to itself, not to any standard frequency (440... 442, etc.).
Cheers and indulge!
Post Edited (2020-12-02 23:41)
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Author: LFabian
Date: 2020-11-29 20:37
I have mixed bells and barrels with 4 clarinets. Some fit. Some don’t. Icon parts on an 1972 R13 was a good match. Will last forever. an alpha bell lightens the weight of a Moba. A Behn abs bell with hole impacts lower notes. The Paulus barrel which has a longstanding reputation is heavier but fits R13 very well. I haven’t tried it in gigs since Covid started. Another clarinet has a custom made barrel which was tuned and fitted especially for my other R13.
The Alpha’s original barrel was switched out for Fatboys and Fobes rimless abs/grenadilla barrels. This particular set up is no longer a student clarinet. This is a versatile clarinet. I am intrigued with the various nuances that I have created realizing that no one will notice the change in adult bands. The Vocalise Z changes the equation even more.
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Author: mamanvatsa
Date: 2020-11-29 22:50
LFabian, thanks for your comment! I would put it another way. I was rather speaking of measurements and specs. I don't know if it's only me, but I spot a configuration of measurements, that I find sounding different (better) in sound intonation and dynamics than any other, e.g. 62.5 and 64.5 mm barrels. I've always had a problem tuning and sounding a 65 mm barrel, and I've shifted roughly about 20 instruments, and it's always the same song. I'm sure many will doubt that, but for me it's already a pattern. I don't give any credits to brands, but I see that more of them start having especially these two measurements - Buffet & Backun, which is relatively new ('cause we all know which brand have exactly these specs). My point was whether anyone else spots this difference of 0,5 mm and if it counts for anyone?! Cheers!
Post Edited (2020-12-02 23:41)
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Author: mamanvatsa
Date: 2020-12-01 23:35
Luckily I don't, just wake up in the morning and make myself a barrel or bell, according to the mood or embouchure of the day.
Post Edited (2020-12-02 23:42)
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Author: Jura82
Date: 2020-12-02 12:38
I am using Freedom adjustable clarinet barrel. It's length can be adjusted from 60 to 70 mm. It has a medium large cilindric (straight) bore. The sound is different from original barrel (I play Buffet E12F clarinet). But, not only length of the barrel has an impact on tone and intonation. The bore size and shape (cilinder, cone, inverse cone) has a HUGE impact on intonation. I'am experimenting with using electrical tape in the bottom of the barrel, reshaping it bore to inverse cone beacuse my left clarion notes were very sharp. With changing cilinder bore to reverse cone bore, clarion notes became flatter.
(I've tryied this because I've read about Moennig clarinet barrel and reverse cone idea, so I've tried reducing bore of the barrel with electrical tape.)
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Author: mamanvatsa
Date: 2020-12-02 23:39
Yes, adjustable is far the best idea for a barrel, I agree! Because every instrument needs a personalized barrel, despite the factory gear, and all deafault barrels are the same length (64, 65, 66..., etc.). But it is rather a two-part relationship, one of which is the barrel, the other most important thing is the "marriage" of the joints (the place where upper and lower joint meet). It is most defining for the length of the barrel, and might vary despite the robot-processed body. Every instrument is unique, sometimes it's a matter of 0,2 mm. So, logically a barrel should be made personally for an instrument after the joints "marry", not before. This reminds me of a video of N.Balderou trying out about a dozen of instruments, of which he chose only two, referring to as perfect, and the others were just good. So much with length. As for the bore, never has a cylindrical bore barrel I've tried or made sounded good (and I've made a lot). Usually a reverse policylinder is better than cone, where the most part would be the bore, and just the last 1 mm of the bore length be 0.5 mm smaller. This makes good focus, air flow and dynamics. Best regards and indulge!
Post Edited (2020-12-03 14:56)
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Author: Doug Leach
Date: 2020-12-03 04:32
If you're interested in an adjustable barrel with a taper, Brad Behn has just introduced an adjustable barrel, which I believe is also tapered. He has two hard rubber barrels with a modification of the Moennig taper which play very nicely.
https://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com/product-page/evo-bb-a-adjustable-barrel-special-pre-sale
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