A collaboration between Richie Hawley and Brian Corbin, the R1 clarinet barrel combines traditional design elements with modern materials and machining to produce a barrel unlike any other. Crafted from naturally aged grenadilla (African blackwood), the R1 barrel uses a hard rubber bore with a uniquely shaped inverted taper that helps improve intonation and response. The combination of materials and acoustical design help center and darken the sound, providing for a certain "hold" and even working resistance throughout the registers. Cutting-edge CNC manufacturing and the premium hard rubber used for the bore results in unparalleled consistency from barrel to barrel.