Klarinet Archive - Posting 001142.txt from 2003/04

From: "Keith" <100012.1302@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] RE: klarinet Digest 24 Apr 2003 08:15:03 -0000 Issue 4487
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2003 00:47:58 -0400

Yes, Fox offers replacement basset joints for standard clarinets -
prices on his web site. I have one for my Leblanc Concerto A and it is
very nice. I too find that it has a positive impact on the sound
quality, but I won't dare to describe it in this proximity to Dan, apart
from saying that there is plenty of chocolate fudge in the sound! Of
course it's heavier and less wieldy than the regular clarinet, so I
don't play it unless it is called for. One option he offers is to
convert your existing joint to a basset joint, but he thinks this is
less satisfactory acoustically, and of course you then have to use it
all the time.

Keith Bowen

----------------
Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2003 14:40:18 -0700
From: Dan Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subject: Re: [kl] Attn, Dan; was, Basset/Alto
Message-ID: <3EA70842.3070605@-----.net>

>I do not know what Selmer's position is about making a lower joint to
match with an existing upper joint. But several instrument makers will
do that for you. I think Fox will also but I don't know.

>The issue of the impact of a longer clarinet on the overall sound
character is an interesting one. I have full Boehm B-flat and A
instruments both of which descend to low E-flat and either can also be
made to descend to a low D. I find the sound character of both
instrument when NOT using the low notes to be positively impacted by the

extra length, but it is hard to be objective here. You would have to
try such an instrument yourself to determine if such an effect as I
describe is noticeable to you.

Dan

James Hobby wrote:
> There have been references to basset clarinets, as I understand,
> which has an extended lower joint. What would be the feasibility of
> having a new lower joint made (in my case by Selmer) to add to my
> clarinet -- (Bb or A?), and what would be the sound effect, beyond the

> extra notes?
>
> Jim

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