Buffet ca. 1888

[kewald]

I was given a vintage Buffet clarinet that had a broken register key.


It's all now refurbished and plays well.


Since I keep getting memory errors when trying to attach photos, hopefully this link to a video will work.


https://1drv.ms/v/s!At_bqJIbTzvzk41b3doCTO2qP_PzTQ?e=2xtYtg

[windydankoff]

Thanks for opening the time capsule and sharing with us, Ken. Good work!

[philpedler]

Way to go, Ken. Happy playing that antique.

[kewald]

It has longer joints, bigger bore and larger bell than my others.  By pulling the barrel and middle joint it plays in the key of A.  I'm making a longer barrel for it so I don't have to pull it out so much.  I plan to play it in a clarinet choir with Michell Anderson's Clarinet Transformation Community - playing the Huron Carol.  Should be fun trying to play against a backing track for the first time.  I'll post a link to the performance in the forum when it's been published.

[kewald]

The lower joint will not fit in a standard Bb case.  The upper joint is tight.  Leads me to believe it is truly an A.

[kewald]

Way to go, Ken. Happy playing that antique.

Thanks for giving it to me Phil.  What a great gift!

[windydankoff]

Likely it is a "high pitch" A, following the higher pitch standards of the era. Get a reading of the frequency of its concert A, and see if it is close to the old high-pitch (HP) range.

If it plays in tune WITH ITSELF, from from bottom to top, then don't make any major length changes. You will throw off its proportions. For example, a substantial barrel length change will effect throat notes more than bell notes.

[kewald]

Likely it is a "high pitch" A, following the higher pitch standards of the era. Get a reading of the frequency of its concert A, and see if it is close to the old high-pitch (HP) range.

If it plays in tune WITH ITSELF, from from bottom to top, then don't make any major length changes. You will throw off its proportions. For example, a substantial barrel length change will effect throat notes more than bell notes.

Where can I find the pitch range, or simply, what is it for HP or LP?
Thanks

[kewald]

Windy,


The clarinet came with an adjustable barrel with a bore that is smaller than the upper joint.  I've looked at buying a correct barrel and they are too pricey for my budget.


Any idea about a suitable length barrel - I've made one that I will be modifying the lower socket of soon (which I made too large in diameter) and could change the length then.  It's presently 67mm long, made of Quina wood.  I will plug the bottom socket and re bore/turn it.  I'm a woodworker/turner.  Just had a piece of Quina left over from a long forgotten project.


Thanks

[windydankoff]

When you can alternate quickly between low G and open G with no change in embouchure, and they are both in tune, then you have found the correct overall length of the instrument. THEN your tuner will tell you what the instrument is pitched at.

NOTE that I said the "overall length", not (just) barrel length - because the mouthpiece enters the equation as well. How well was MP length (and inner design) standardized back in 1888? Probably not very. So If you find a barrel you like that is long, consider trimming a MP shorter. Make a wooden mandrel on the lathe, to slip the MP over. Then cut shorten the tenon of the MP so the end is closer to the cork. Then cut back the same amount from the body just above the tenon. (These cuts are done easily and safely with a parting tool.)

Overall, go slightly short to allow for some tuning.

[kewald]

Good to know another turner👍

[kewald]

When you can alternate quickly between low G and open G with no change in embouchure ....

Open G is in tune, G5 is sharp (Ab) and not easily kept in tune with voicing changes.  What's that telling me?

[kewald]

Think I have that problem figured out.  Need to reduce the diameter of the top tone hole or two in the lower joint.  Closing the top ring key pad brings G5 in to tune.

[kewald]

The new barrel. 

[LarryS]

I can't access that link, I'm not a member of that Microsoft thingy