Klarinet Archive - Posting 000799.txt from 2003/09

From: "Michael Bryant" <michael@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: [kl] Clarinet Overhaul Hell: Thomas Ohme - The Woodwind Shop
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2003 10:47:43 -0400

Thank you Dan for your summary of basset horns in all their breeds.
The bore of my Uebel at the middle joint is 17 mms*.
The tone is now good, I am satisfied with it.
I will not defend my dexterity or lack thereof.
This Uebel cannot be played with an alto mouthpiece
(which I have). One is not supposed to admit to owning
an alto clarinet, but I do. It is rather old, and made by
Alexandre, Paris, possibly getting on for 80-100 years ago
and has a crumpled metal horn. I am looking for a orphaned
alto clarinet horn to graft on, if anyone knows of such a thing.
The bore in 18 mms. I lack the latest Langwill, but an Alexandre,
Paris is in Langwill VI (1980, of which I see as few as 1000
copies were printed) dating from 1839-1850 and making
brass instruments.

*John Newhill, in his book on the basset horn, of which
I happen to have a copy of the smarter new edition,
(available from Gary) suggests the following bore sizes:
16 mms or less as narrow (Buffet before 1990, Fox,
Selmer, Ripamonti)
16-17.2 mms as medium (All German/Austrian makers,
Fox, Buffet after 1990) and
18 mms and over as large (Leblanc)

After the publication of the German book on the basset horn, which
has a repertoire catalogue of over 90 pages, several specialists
have offered a further 140 works, for inclusion in the second edition.
The second edition will form the basis of an English edition, now
being translated in Germany. A small group of enthusiasts and
professionals in Britain have been 'rounded up' by the authors
to proof-read the translation.

MB

Dan Leeson wrote on Tuesday, September 30, 2003 2:40 PM
Subject: Re: [kl] Clarinet Overhaul Hell: Thomas Ohme - The Woodwind Shop

snip

> The German basset horns made in the French system were problematic in
> that they all had wide bores, and I was not satisfied with the character
> of sound produced. It was invariable stuffy and hard to play, what with
> that alto clarinet mouthpiece, which I hated.

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