Klarinet Archive - Posting 000801.txt from 2003/09

From: Dan Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Clarinet Overhaul Hell: Thomas Ohme - The Woodwind Shop
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2003 11:41:12 -0400

Hans, I don't understand your use of terminology. When you say that
your Wurlitzer bassethorn is only playable with a bassethorn mouthpiece,
what are you saying? Do you mean that it requires and alto clarinet
mouthiece or a soprano clarinet mouthpiece. To clarify, let me state
that both of my Selmer basset horns, and my new Fox basset horn as well
as Steve's all use a soprano clarinet mouthpiece. The LeBlanc, new
Buffet, and Uebel use an alto clarinet mouthpiece.

The fact is that the phrase "basset horn mouthpiece" is ambiguous, which
is the reason I don't understand your use of temrinology here. Please
clarify.

Dan

P.S. Is your Wurlitzer a German or a French system?

H. de Nijs wrote:
> 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 böhm 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.
>
> 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.
> 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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--
***************************
**Dan Leeson **
**leeson0@-----.net **
***************************

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