 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Hunter_100
Date: 2025-05-21 22:15
On my bundy alto clarinet, I need to pull the neck out quite a bit to get the instrument to play in tune (not sharp, that is). This causes the throat tones to go quite flat and lose a lot of tone quality. I figured a tuning ring may help this problem, but they don't appear to be commercially available. I decided to try to make one myself, and in the process I discovered that a commercial Cu water pipe size happens to be a perfect fit.
The neck tube size of my bundy alto is 0.750" outside diameter and approximately 0.665" inner diameter (I did not get a precise measurement for this, just with my ID caliper which is not as good as a snap gauge). In the US at least, you can buy Cu water pipe designated as size 5/8" Type L. This has a spec OD of 0.750" and ID of 0.666" (Don't ask me why pipe sold as 5/8" size is actually 3/4" in diameter). I found this size of pipe is not commonly stocked in local hardware stores, but I was able to get it through Grainger. A 2 foot piece of pipe cost about $13, and I already had a pipe cutter and hack saw to cut off the sections.
I cut a section about 0.3" long from the pipe, and sanded it down with 220 grit sandpaper for a few minutes to make it fit a little smoother in my alto socket. Because Cu is so soft, it feels more sticky going into the socket even though the dimensions match the brass alto neck which is smooth and polished. Coating the tuning ring with some cork grease helps it slide in and out easier as well. I don't plan on leaving it permanently in the socket, because it may get frozen in place from gunk building up and corrosion, but I probably could just leave it in there.
The results are very promising. I was able to get the pitch down without sacrificing the throat notes.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2025-05-22 02:47
on my bundy alto i onlyy have to pull out a very small amount, you must use a very hard reed and play alto with a Bb embouchure.
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