Klarinet Archive - Posting 000408.txt from 1998/02

From: reedman@-----.com
Subj: 2 pc Bass clarinet necks
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 1998 02:54:47 -0500

I do not own any one piece necks, but I have played on a few just to test
sound. I think the distinct advantage to the 2 pc design is the greater
flexibility in pitch adjustment. If one has to pull out a one piece neck it
may disrupt the vent key connection.

However, I believe there is more interesting aspect. If you have ever
looked inside the neck with the mouthpiece receiver off you will notice a
definite edge where the pipe of the neck meets the slide receiver. A
correlative point on soprano clarints is the negative step from mouthpiece
bore exit to beginning of the barrel joint. This is a very important aspect
of the overall design of most clarinets and is called a choke. This step or
choke creates a turbulence that we find appealing in both tonal color and
the resistance that it adds to the instrument, particularly in the upper
register. Another important choke on most clarinets is the point where the
bell meets the lower bore.

To demonstrate to yourself the effect of the choke at the slide in a
bass clarinet perform this simple experiment. Push the slide in as far as
it will go. Presumably the meeting point of slide and neck pipe are flush
or close to it. Disregard the pitch and evaluate the overall color of the
horn. Try playing in the upper register, the lower register and
particularly the throat tones. Now, pull out to your normal position. You
will more than likely notice a difference in resistance and in stability of
the upper register. Now, pull at good 4mm farther than normal. Again you
may perceive a different type of sound or resistance.

One of the problems I have encountered on the new Selmer 37 bass
clarinets is that the neck position for good tuning parameters seems to be
a gap of about .5" which is about 12.5 mm. The standard tuning position on
my Selmer 33 is approximately 6-7mm. I notice a distinctly better quality
of sound in the model 37's when the gap is reduced to 6 or 7mm. The problem
is that the throat tones are too sharp. There is s simple remedey. have
your local brass repair guy make an inside slide insert.

Clark W Fobes

Clark W Fobes
Web Page http://www.sneezy.org/clark_fobes