Klarinet Archive - Posting 000862.txt from 2001/10

From: "CLARK FOBES " <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Dan Leeson's new basset horn
Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2001 13:47:53 -0400

Dan came up to San Francisco yesterday to show me his new basset horn
made by Stephen Fox and to try some mouthpieces for that instrument. I wish
now that I had taken some pictures!

This instrument is without a doubt the finest basset horn I have ever
had the pleasure of playing and the most exquisitely built modern clarinet I
have ever seen. Stephen Fox should be heartily congratulated on what I
consider a masterpiece of craftsmaship and acoustics. The instrument is made
from pernambuco (deep orange red) and is fitted with gold plated keys. It
has a wooden bell that projects straight down rather than curving up. The
tone is a cross between the large bore and narrow bore bassets. It has depth
and projection, but remains very refined through all registers. I felt an
immediate affinity for this horn and was reluctant to see Dan leave the shop
with it.

I have not spoken to Stephen extensively about this instrument, but I do
know that it is a "narrow bore" instrument, but I don't think it is as
narrow as a contemporary Selmer. I had provided Stephen with a mouthpiece
that I make for Selmer basset horns and he determined that the bore was too
small and bored it out. Dan and I both found that this mouthpiece did not
allow the instrument to "ring" and it was somewhat flat in pitch. I modified
one of my 6L mouthpieces with a standard conical bore and it worked
marvelously. There are a few very minor pitch querks on this instrument, but
is far superior in pitch characteristics to any of the current model
instruments available.

I don't know what the price of the instrument was, but anyone out there
considering a purchase of a new basset horn should consult Stephen before
they make a move.

Clark W Fobes

---------------------------------------------------------------------