Is a barrel a nice upgrade?
I'm pretty happy with my sound, having bought two Rico mouthpieces, which I like better than the one that came with my horn. Also I have recently upgraded to a Rovner Versa ligature. Still I wonder how much a barrel might help, and if so, how to choose from a big variety? Seems like the clarinet teachers on youtube have fancy barrels...so perhaps I could use Woodwind and Brasswind site to try one out, as was suggested for mouthpieces? I've also seen quite a selection of new and used barrels on eBay.
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I have a newish Buffet E 13 which comes with a stock barrel of grenadilla wood. However, when played with a Buffet Chadash barrel the sound is noticeably better, to my ears. the Chadash has excellent reviews. I am going to stick with it. Just make sure you buy the right size to suit your clarinet (length wise). I fantasised about Backun Fat Boy etc but quite frankly now I have settled into the E13 and this Chadash barrel I think I will make more gains through practice and learning than with another barrel.