Klarinet Archive - Posting 000065.txt from 1998/02

From: Shouryu Nohe <jnohe@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Dis/Advantages to the Double Neck
Date: Sun, 1 Feb 1998 14:29:11 -0500

> I didn't find any info on this at sneezy, so I'm asking you bass
> clarinetists out there on Klarinet-L...

You can also try the Contrabass list. They're loads of fun.
www.contrabass.com

> Are there any advantages or disadvantages to the double neck piece on some
> bass clarinets and the single neck piece. I've already found some, such as
> the single neck piece is easier to clean. Just buy one of those H.W. Stuffit
> Pad Savers for Tenor Sax Neck, but I've also found it's easier to adjust and
> tune during playing with the double jointed neck piece. But stuff like
> having to have the neck just right for the bass to be playable and the
> absence of an easy spit dispenser are others.

I like the double neck (w/corked tenon) personally. I find it's much
easier to make crack tuning adjustments as necessary. And the single
piece necks, when you have to make a BIG adjustment (like, 75 cents), you
sometimes end up having to adjust the peg, too, which is a little
annoying.

> Is there any true advantage? Do they make the horn sound better?

Not in my experience. They are often angled up just a hair more than
single necks. Keep reading for my factpinions on neck angle.

> Also, I saw the ad for the Bay Woodwinds' Bass Clarinet "Posturpedic" Neck
> piece. Personally, I think it's just a big waste. It's just not as hard as
> they claim to play a bass clarinet like a saxophone, and I personally have
> never seen anyone try to play a bass clarinet like they show in the Before
> picture.

I'm with you all the way there as well. I play on either set up just
fine, with no real change in tone quality. To be honest, where it's most
comfortable w/me is somewhere in between (I really can't stand to play on
the Bay necks anyway). Having it angled up just a hair (like, two degree,
or so) helps me tongue tip to tip easier, but that's the ONLY
advantadge/difference I find.

You oughtta drop in on one of our Winds rehearsal. We have a freshman
playing bass, and his high school supplied him with Bay necks. Now he's
here, and he can't stand playing without one. ^_^

Shouryu Nohe
http://web.nmsu.edu/~jnohe
ICQ: 6771552
New Mexico State Univ.
REMEMBER: Four out of five cats blink when hit on the head with a ball
peen hammer.