Klarinet Archive - Posting 000350.txt from 2000/06

From: "Robert S. Howe" <arehow@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Bb Bass Clarinet FS
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2000 10:34:31 -0400

Anyone interested in a fine wooden Bb Bass Clarinet, range to low Eb,
wonderful condition? It was used by a Boston area musician through the
1980s mostly for theater including Broadway shows, opera and ballet,
logging innumerable Nutcrackers. The case is original and in fine
condition, although one latch is locked shut and the key is missing. It
has a left hand Ab/Eb lever, an articulation from the lower to the upper
joint to allow a true B-C#/F#-G# trill; this can be backed off or
removed if you prefer to play using the long fingering for high F. The
clarinet has double register keys and the most reliable mechanism for
choosing between the register keys that you could ask for.

The clarinet is labelled P. Gerard/Paris/(three stars) on both wooden
joints and the bell. Langwill lists this as a 20th century dealer.
Presumably this instrument is a product of another French maker such as
Buffet, Selmer, LeBlanc, Thibouville, Martin, etc, who are known to have
made stamp instuments for dealers. The wood is grenadilla, the keys
nickel-silver.

This bass clarinet plays like a son of a gun, don't be put off by an
unfamiliar name. I am selling it because I own 5 other bass clarinets,
including two Buffets; understand that my main performing instrument is
the oboe, and that having a harem is of little advantage if you're
rarely in the mood for love. This bass clarinet would be suitable for
any application, band or orchestral, it plays very well with a full
sound and a reliable upper register.

The WW and Brasswind in Indiana lists various second-label wooden bass
clarinets to Eb, including Amati and others. They sell (heavily
discounted) for $2375 and up. I have seen used instruments similar to
this one for sale at NYC dealers for $2200. I would like to see $2000
for this puppy but I am quite willing to negotiate, particularly if you
are (like me) a collector with other instruments to swap. If it doesn't
sell, I put it on EBay, but I would much prefer to have it go to a
colleague for a resonable price than to enter that den of greed.

Please reply privately.

Robert Howe

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