Klarinet Archive - Posting 000701.txt from 1995/12

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re Bass Clarinet Purchase
Date: Thu, 28 Dec 1995 14:37:56 -0500

There was a posting today about a student whose parents have agreed
to purchase a bass clarinet for him (her? - I wasn't looking).

It was the combination of questions that caused this response.

He said that he like the Buffet low C instrument. Very sound choice.
Fine instrument. And much better now than in the past.

But then he added that he want to consider the Bay neck that changes
the angle of entry into the mouth. And I am not sure that Charlie
Bay makes these with the same volume as he does for Selmer bass
clarinets. Of course, I could be wrong and just out of it, but a local
player has been waiting for some time for Charlie to get around to making
a neck (actually it is the bocal, not the neck, but that is what everyone
calls it) and may have to wait some time longer.

Furthermore, Charlie is very touchy about selling his necks to people
who are not professionals. So he may not be responsive to a request from
a student in any case. Alternatively, I believe that students who go
directly to him (near Los Angeles) are given personal consideration by
him so there is some chance.

Finally, Charlie is very honest and decent, but he is not very reliable in
doing what you ask him to do. If he says he will make a neck for you,
he will but it could take some time. He is busy, popular (and justifiably
so) and he hates to say no.

Back to bass clarinets. If you are really serious about the instrument,
then whatever model you get must be a low C instrument. Clark Fobes
gave a most spectacular review to the new Selmer low C horn and you
really have to consider it in light of his comments.

The Le Blanc has always been a reliable, trustworthy model. I have not
played one of their instruments for some time, but, in the past, they
were THE bass clarinet.

Yamaha has not, in my opinion, produced an instrument of sufficient
professional quality. You get one, you'll love it. How much you will
continue to love it as you get better and more sensitive is an important
question.

Good luck!!

====================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
(leeson@-----.edu)
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