Klarinet Archive - Posting 000800.txt from 2003/09

From: "H. de Nijs" <h.denijs@-----.nl>
Subj: RE: [kl] Clarinet Overhaul Hell: Thomas Ohme - The Woodwind Shop
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2003 10:53:01 -0400

It is good news to hear that the excellent german book about =
bassethorns
(authors: Thomas Grass and Dietrich Demus) will be translated soon into
English, because of it gives a very good insight in history of this
wonderfull instrument and a nice overview about the numerous small =
makers of
bassethorns in Germany (and Austria) as well as the b=F6hm system =
brands. I'm
playing a fantastic Fritz Wurlitzer Bassethorn (diameter 16,95 mm) from =
his
latest period (1974), completely handforged keywork and a dream of a =
sound,
of course only playable with a bassethorn mouthpiece (with basethorn =
reeds),
which gives in my opinion the optimal resistance for a characteristic
bassethorn sound. =20

Hans

-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Van: Michael Bryant [mailto:michael@-----.uk]
Verzonden: dinsdag 30 september 2003 16:48
Aan: klarinet@-----.org
Onderwerp: Re: [kl] Clarinet Overhaul Hell: Thomas Ohme - The Woodwind
Shop

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.=20
I will not defend my dexterity or lack thereof.=20
This Uebel cannot be played with an alto mouthpiece=20
(which I have). One is not supposed to admit to owning=20
an alto clarinet, but I do. It is rather old, and made by=20
Alexandre, Paris, possibly getting on for 80-100 years ago=20
and has a crumpled metal horn. I am looking for a orphaned=20
alto clarinet horn to graft on, if anyone knows of such a thing.=20
The bore in 18 mms. I lack the latest Langwill, but an Alexandre,=20
Paris is in Langwill VI (1980, of which I see as few as 1000=20
copies were printed) dating from 1839-1850 and making=20
brass instruments.
=20
*John Newhill, in his book on the basset horn, of which=20
I happen to have a copy of the smarter new edition,=20
(available from Gary) suggests the following bore sizes:
16 mms or less as narrow (Buffet before 1990, Fox,=20
Selmer, Ripamonti)
16-17.2 mms as medium (All German/Austrian makers,=20
Fox, Buffet after 1990) and=20
18 mms and over as large (Leblanc)

After the publication of the German book on the basset horn, which=20
has a repertoire catalogue of over 90 pages, several specialists=20
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=20
professionals in Britain have been 'rounded up' by the authors=20
to proof-read the translation.=20

MB

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

snip
=20
> 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=20
> of sound produced. It was invariable stuffy and hard to play, what =
with=20
> that alto clarinet mouthpiece, which I hated.

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