Klarinet Archive - Posting 000683.txt from 1998/08

From: <Felix1297@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Re: klarinet Digest 24 Aug 1998 08:15:04 -0000 Issue 418
Date: Mon, 24 Aug 1998 08:57:11 -0400

In a message dated 98-08-24 04:15:58 EDT, you write:

<<
<<Buffet is definitely the best bass clarinet made currently.>>

There are a lot of professionals who disagree with this. Some strongly. The
Selmers have a different quality that you may not prefer. The Selmer sound is
different, and I happen to prefer that sound, as does my good friend Michael
Lowenstern. Charlie Neidich also recently switched from a Buffet bass to a
Selmer, after trying Michael's new instrument. Jim Ognibene, one of the
finest
players I have heard, plays a Selmer 33 at the Metropolitan Opera.

The mechanism is perhaps not as carefully regulated as the newest Buffets,
but
mechanism has to be a secondary consideration to sound & pitch. Pitch on the
Selmers is quite good on the best of them, though there are always
compromises
to be made, particularly the e/b, a problem on almost all bass clarinets,
regardless of maker. I have to admit that I haven't had the opportunity to
try
the newest Buffet, but I have no reason to believe that its basic sound has
changed from the last model.

David Hattner, NYC

------ >>
Dear Mr Hattner,

I must let you know that YES the basic sound has changed from the previous
model,it is one of the reason with the pitch,why we changed the design and
accoustic of All our bass clarinet not because the previous one were not good
I had many good comment from Professional player that didn't have any problem
to play on it.We changed because when you are a manufacture you have to
staybnin touch whit every musicians and improve the instruments as much as you
can. The New bass which is the same idem number as the previous one : 1193
.Has a new bore,new holes scale,low G tuning hole and the neck is in two part
provided with cork joint. The mechanism is lighter and we put a simplified
12th key mechanism. We have a very good response so far from the player who
play Selmer and Buffet. I will be very interrested of your comments when you
try the new model,I will organise a trip to New York in September and bring
some new Bass with me. I will put the dates and places on the list if I can. i
don't wants people think that I am using the list to do my business,it is just
that I think it is good opprtunities for the player to be abble to try some
new horns and If you have questions I will be glad to answer it.

Musicaly Yours

Francois Kloc
Woodwind Product Specialist
Boosey & Hawkes Musical Instruments Inc.

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