Klarinet Archive - Posting 000087.txt from 1998/02

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Dis/Advantages to the Double Neck
Date: Sun, 1 Feb 1998 14:29:33 -0500

On Sun, 1 Feb 1998, Jason Hsien wrote:

> 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 am assuming you are referring to a neck with two pieces which allows the
person to pull and push to change the length? The obvious advantage for
this kind of neck is that you can adjust your pitch. With regard to the
easy spit removal (it is actually condensation you know!), watch the horn
players empty their instruments......that's the best way to empty the neck
of a bass clarinte! I take the neck and mouthpiece off, turn it over
several times and dump (yuck). Spit valves are not very effective.

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

The one or two piece design has no effect on the sound. The angle, on the
other hand, makes a big difference.

> 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 have all my students tuck their basses under the chair to get the angle
as close to a clarinet angle as possible. Oliver Green (Detroit Symphony)
raised my stand and had me tilt my head to get the angle. It wasn't quite
as pronounced as the "before after" picture by Bay (hey, they have to sell
the neck right??), but it was similar. The Bay neck is a much better neck
than the standard one-piece neck found in most intermediate/beginner level
bass clarinets (and selmer bass clarinets....including the pro line).
Buffet changed their neck design about five or six years ago.....they got
rid of the useless spit valve and made the angle more vertical. I paid
the extra $400-500 (can't remember now!) for the upgrade then, and I was
very happy that I did.

You might also consider that fact that the neck is as important to the
tone/tuning as the mouthpiece and barrel on a Bb/A clarinet (and bell for
that matter). Just like with saxophones, the neck is interchangeable, and
you should try out several. You will be amazed at the difference in
sound.

Roger Garrett
IWU