Klarinet Archive - Posting 000598.txt from 1996/02

From: Benjamin Maas <bm004e@-----.EDU>
Subj: Bass Clarinets
Date: Tue, 20 Feb 1996 00:22:19 -0500

This may be pretty old (I haven't logged on for awhile- I have a recital
comming up), but I play a Buffet Prestige Low-C bass that is about 6 years
old (i think-I bought it used). It is a great horn with a great sound. I
had some work done to it like resonators in some pads, undercutting the
throat tones and corks in the bottom to even out tuning. With all that it
is a great horn. A few months ago we had Buffet and Selmer come and visit
our school. I played the new Buffet and the new selmer horns.

The buffet had a beautiful, resonant, smooth sound. The selmer had a
rougher "power" sound. I like the Buffet much more as I feel that I have
more flexibility in the sound I would like to create. I can get a beautiful
smooth sound for pieces like Daphnis and Chloe, yet I can get a loud enough,
power sound for playing in a jazz ensemble. I find that the mouthpiece and
reed makes the most difference. I have a Selmer C* that has be refaced by
Matsen, and an old Bay/Ithica mouthpiece. Both are excellent, but totally
different. The Bay gives me that brighter, "power" sound, and the Selmer is
smooth and creamy.

My $.02

Ben Maas

--
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*Benjamin Maas * "It's as if the country is built on*
*Student, Eastman School of Music * a slant: everything loose rolls *
*bm004e@-----. Mencken *
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