Missing Barrel Joint on Buescher USA Aristocrat

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Hello everyone. My first post here.

I've just purchased a used Buescher USA Aristocrat as my son's first student clarinet (apart from the 'Jupiter' that was made available by his school last year). The instrument arrived from the eBay seller in good condition, apart from superficial scratches, with all keys working well and cork in sound condition. However, the place in the case where the barrel joint should have been contained only a spare mouthpiece. I've just written to the seller on the off-chance that the piece was left behind in their shop, but I think it's likely that I will need to buy a new barrel joint.

My question is, what should I bee looking for? Are these pieces 'generic' as far as fit and function go? A quick 'google' suggests that most that are out there are 65mm, with prices ranging from $13 to $200+. Given that we are on a limited budget (the clarinet only cost AU$100) what would be a reasonable option?

Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
My approach has always been to first try the manufacturer (obviously not an option in this case), then to hit any local repair folks up for a possible match, and only then take the eBay route. There is a lot of odd musical "junk" out there, and you just might get lucky.

Execute a custom search for "Buescher clarinet barrel" and run it once a week to see what shows up. It may not work, but you won't be out anything if you try.

That not working, take it to a local music store and ask to see their in-stock clarinets. Test fit the barrel from same onto your horn and see if it can fit. (Don't attempt to force one on - if it doesn't clear the top (uncorked) portion of the tenon, then give up on that one right then and there.) If it does fit, then you can rely upon that brand to at least be a mechanical fit.

(Some clarinets are picky in this area. A metal tenon on the top of the upper joint may make for a difficult fit.)

And, even if you get a decent mechanical fit, there's next the bore diameter to consider. I've had decent luck fitting barrels from different horns, but my experience in the area is somewhat limited. Others who routinely swap out barrels at the drop of a hat will have more to say on this particular facet of the topic.

Personally, I'd not buy a horn that didn't come with all four joints in complete condition. But, that's just me. I have replaced a barrel on my Selmer metal clarinet (some moron removed the old one, corroded in place, with a pliers), but they are easy to come by (again on eBay).
 
SOTSDO said:
Personally, I'd not buy a horn that didn't come with all four joints in complete condition
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The other part of the problem is that this is a student model horn you're talking about. While it's not only possible, but probable, that you could get a barrel made for a pro horn, one for a student horn will be difficult.

If you have a music store near you that's been in business for a long while, you might get lucky and they'll have the exact part.
 
Pete - I have a 1937 Pan American hard rubber clarinet, obviously a student model. I use it when our Community Band plays outdoor concerts, and fitted with a Selmer Series 9 barrel, it has a wonderful sound.
 
A tech I have used -- and probably many, many other techs -- have vast selections of used barrels collected over the years. Call around.
 
Thanks everyone - I'll set up that eBay search and meanwhile I'll start calling local techs for a matching piece. SOTSDO, I probably wouldn't have bought it either, but I was fooled by a photograph of a case with every indentation filled with an apparently matching piece of horn. I have no idea whether the seller (a porn shop on the other side of Australia) intentionally disguised the incomplete status of the instrument, but either way, I'll have to make the best of the situation.
 
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