Aidoni – Traditional model

The Aidoni grenadilla barrel is the result of a long and meticulous process of experimentation. It is built with an inner plastic tube with a reverse taper and the tube is partially covered with a thin brass pipe. The result is a perfectly balanced barrel with exquisite intonation and a resonant and focused sound. The use of a plastic inner tube allows a precisely measured bore, keeping its dimensions constant. The synthetic bore is not as much affected by the warm temperature in the air flow, which makes it easier to maintain the pitch than when playing on a traditional wooden barrel. The Grenadilla wood produces a warm and solid sound and the clear projection makes it suitable both for orchestra players and for soloists.

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Aidoni – Model #499 – a new concept

The Model #499 has been developed and tested over a period of several years. By involving the world-leading clarinetists Yehuda Gilad (The Colburn School – Los Angeles) and Hermann Stefansson (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – Stockholm), many objective opinions and valuable feedback could be collected in the evaluation process. One of the goals has been to create a barrel that works and feels like a natural extension of the mouthpiece. The heart of the concept is the new and unique XB bore. Another change is the brass ring that has been added to the top of the barrel – to focus the sound and to add luster and projection. A winding of carbon fiber, at the lower part, provides extra stability and equalizes the resistance over the different registers.

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Aidoni tuning rings

for placement between the barrel and the upper part of the clarinet. If the barrel has to be pulled out, an inner gap is created between the barrel and the upper clarinet part. If the gap is filled with a tuning ring, the intonation is improved and the feeling of contact with the air flow increases in a noticeable way. Perfectly matched dimensions to fit our barrel bores, made of the same material as the inner bores of our barrels. One package contains two tuning rings with the thicknesses 0,5 mm and 0,75 mm.

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The Aidoni team

The Aidoni barrel team consists of Håkan Lundström, a skilled craftsman and experienced woodwind repairer, and Per Johansson, solo clarinetist with the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra since 1997.

Together they began creating barrels in 2009. Based on Per’s concepts and hundreds of design sketches, Håkan handcrafted the barrels, one by one. Per then tried out the best of these in rehearsals, recordings and concerts. They carefully analysed the results and iteratively honed the barrels with the best characteristics.

In 2013 – around 200 barrel models later, just as they thought they were approaching a final product – Martin Fröst came into the picture. This occured while Martin was performing as soloist with the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra on a tour to Salzburg. It was very fortunate for the Aidoni barrel project to – for a period of time – have Martin Fröst as its exclusive guide and test pilot. His sky-high demands for perfection and his creative ideas have been invaluable and inspiring. Without doubt, Martin Fröst‘s influence has taken the Aidoni barrel to a completely new level.

The Aidoni concept

Some facts about the Aidoni barrel:

• A body of grenadilla wood.

• An internal plastic tube for the bore, which is factory-milled to the highest possible precision.

• The bore is of a reverse tapered type.

• Four different Aidoni barrel bores are available: Original bore, Medium bore, US bore and the new XB bore (only for Model #499). Please contact us to select the best possible Aidoni bore for your instruments.

• A thin brass ring is fixed around the lower end of the plastic tube to keep the sound more focused and to add stability.

• All parts are made in Sweden.

Why a plastic tube?

• The intonation is more reliable and consistent over all registers than with a wooden barrel.

• The synthetic bore is not as much affected by the warm temperature in the air flow, which makes it easier to maintain the pitch – very useful when quick changes between clarinets are required.

• The material is not affected by moisture or temperature changes – the dimensions of the bore remain constant.

• The sensation is exactly that of playing on a wooden barrel.

Barrel bores for the Aidoni Traditional model:

Original bore (different bores for A and Bb clarinet) has a wide inner dimension in the upper part. This gives resonance and a free, open feeling when playing.

Medium bore (different bores for A and Bb) has a slightly more narrow inner dimension in the upper part. This gives the sound a bit more focus and slightly more resistance.

US bore (same bore for A and Bb) has an even more narrow inner dimension, both in the upper part and in the entire bore. This bore gives even more focus and resistance. The US bore has been created especially for Buffet R13 and clarinetists in USA.

XB-bore – only for Model #499

XB bore (different bores for A and Bb clarinet) is a further development of the Medium bore. Through extensive research, several details in the design as well as in the manufacturing process have been changed and refined. The XB bore is only available for Model #499.

Selmer clarinet customers:

please contact us before making an order: info@aidonimusic.com

Price and conditions

Barrel trial policies:

Each Aidoni barrel to be tested, is ordered and paid for in advance. You have fourteen days to try your barrels.

If you are not completely satisfied, you can return the undamaged barrels within the trial period for a full refund of the cost of the barrels. (The shipping cost will not be refunded.) If a customer decides not to purchase any items, there will be a 10 € restocking fee.

Return shipping charges are the responsibility of the customer.

To return items, we recommend choosing a postal option that includes insurance for the value of the items.

Postal address for returns:

Håkan Lundström
Bankogatan 8
256 56 Helsingborg
Sweden