Klarinet Archive - Posting 000585.txt from 2002/01

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fbjacobo@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Bassethorn
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2002 10:31:44 -0500

Juerg,
I believe I may have something more to contribute to this thread. I too
have played on both narrow- and wide-bored Bassets. I found that the Leblancs I
tried (3 of them over the years) were uniformly easier to blow (kind-of like a
baby Bass clarinet) and substantially better in tune than their narrow-bore
counterparts made by Selmer. In all fairness, however, the Selmers were
particularly lousy instruments. However, the fact that BOTH of them were
pathetic is, I believe, indicative of their production standards (at least at
that time).
On the other hand, the sound quality issue is a very important one. I mean,
that's WHY Mozart and Mendelssohn fell in love with the sound of it. The
Leblanc (wide-bore) just doesn't sound nasal enough. Also, it is rather thin
like a Bass Clarinet in the upper register. I remember the Selmers holding
their nasal-but-not-thin sound quality in all registers.
And Don't forget the mouthpiece issue. How easy is it to find a good Alto
Clarient mouthpiece? That's what you need for a wide-bore instrument. At least
you'll feel right at home on a narrow-bore one.
Also, and VERY IMPORTANT: I found that using a very soft reed (at least a
whole strength less than my normal reed - I went from VD 5's to VD 4's!) made a
huge difference. It was easier to tune (but the instruments were still
substandard) and the ease of blowing and acoustical difference issues were
almost solved.
My verdict: Get the narrow bore instrument if you can get one in tune.

Cheers...
Fred Jacobowitz

Juerg Fehr wrote:

> I am planning to buy a bassethorn. I could get a Leblanc 315S right now for
> a very reasonable price or I could order a Buffet, which would cost more and
> would not be available until the end of the year. Has anybody compared the
> two instruments? I remember playing the Buffet once and it played very
> comfortably, but trying the Leblanc was not bad at all, it is well in tune,
> has an nice and even sound through all the registers and responds really
> well.
>
> Advice from experienced bassethorn players are much appreciated.
>
> Juerg
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------

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