Klarinet Archive - Posting 000165.txt from 1996/03

From: "Daniel A. Paprocki" <dap@-----.US>
Subj: "cheap" bass revisited
Date: Wed, 6 Mar 1996 14:05:59 -0500

This is to clarify a previous posting. When someone wanted some ideas on a
cheap bass I read this as, "cheap" but ok bass, not "the best bass to
play". Yes I know that the Bundy bass (or any other student model bass) is
not as good as the Buffet, Yamaha, or Selmer top model. That wasn't the
question.
Actually, if you want a good bass put aside about $600 for a total
overhaul by Bill Branen, Tim Clark, or Clark Foebe (is that the right
spelling?). Then check the Sunday ads in some major cities in your area.
Check estate sales too. I have a friend who bought a Selmer 33 from a
widow for only $600 - she wanted to give her more but the lady just wanted
to get rid of it - I couldn't believe it either! Back to the story. You
can probably find a good old bass for around $1000-$2000.
I started with an old Leblanc w/low c for about $1100, got a new
case ($160), and had Bill Branen overhaul it ($650). It served me well for
5 years until I found a used (like new) Selmer 33. Even though it's in
excellent shape I needed some tweeking and tuning done by Tim Clark.
I had some trouble selling my old Leblanc. I took out ads in
newspapers in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Indiannapolis, and
Columbus (where I was living). I finally found someone in Indianna and
sold it basically at a break even price, considering all the work.
I've found that the bass clarinet is (for me) my most profitable
clarinet. It quickly pays for itself.

Dan

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Daniel A. Paprocki
dap@-----.us

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