Klarinet Archive - Posting 001273.txt from 1998/10

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Prestige Bass Clarinet Tuning
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 1998 10:18:33 -0500

In a message dated 10/28/98 10:11:09 PM Central Standard Time,
lringuet@-----.net writes:

<< i have a new prestige bass also
it's the previous model (not the new model)

i find that the tuning in the throat tones is ok!>>

Congrats...if the thumb F is a little flat you can add the side Bb/Eb key.

<< i find that my lowest c-c#-d can be a bit strange....
once i get to lowest e, it's ok>>

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Strange in what way? Mine are sharp...I pull out at the
bell tenon...I use "O" rings as tuning rings. One inside the tenon to take up
the space. And one, a little larger, on the outside of the tenon, to give
suppport and keep the instrument very stable. I do the same at the middle
joint, and dont pull out at the neck at all. Just a suggestion.

<<throat tones seem to be fine (this is of course with the neck-slide pulled
out just a bit)>>

Good you want some room for adjustment

<< BUT: my B, C, and C# - middle of the staff are sharp!!! ouch!!!
the tuning gets better on the following D etc.>>

Better than FLAT,,,how sharp are they? Can you lip down with ease? Pulling out
at the bell (see above) will help the B.

<< I haven't had any work done on the horn yet, as 1) i wanted to get to know
it better first and 2) i still am using a crappy stock mouthpiece - that
may make a difference>>

Get rid of the stock mouthpiece, even a Vandoren B44 out of the container
would be better. Dont do anything t the horn until you find a suitable
mouthpiece.

<< i plan on remedying this situation soon, but that all depends on available
funds (ah the life of a student...) >>

Presumeably, you're going to live with this horn for a LONG time. I've had my
bass for over 20 years and still make minor adjustments. Dont rush anything
unless you have a major problem,

Walter Grabner
Computer Geek
Clarinetist
Inventor of "The Stand" - a new way to hold and play the Bass Clarinet

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