fzero~ vs. pitch~

I used to have a setup with Max5 using [pitch~]. From what I understand from the max window [pitch~] isn't supported in Max6 even with the external present (cannot compile the bundle or so, don't laugh), but the fact is that [fzero~] is just not as reliable as [pitch~] used to be. In fact not at all.
I need pitch detection on a clarinet sound through contact microphone, this was my [pitch~] object with the exact attributes:
[pitch~ 2048 512 4096 blackman70 0 1 10 3]
(Btw I have not managed to have good results with [fiddle~] either.)
So I wonder if there is a way to fine tune [fzero~] for a better result but clearly it doesn't have such an extended array of settings as [pitch~] used to have. I did set the min and max frequencies but didn't start to mess with the rest by trial and error.

I use pitch detection to recall presets on a ring modulator for a chromatic scale. I was able to totally safely play harmonised melodies, now it is a bit of a random mess. I hope somebody has a solution.
cheers
carloskleiber