Klarinet Archive - Posting 000090.txt from 2004/03

From: "Keith" <100012.1302@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] RE: While on tour ...
Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2004 11:40:38 -0500

Ginger,

No need to worry. The different lower joint to make a basset clarinet =
works
fine. This is exactly what I have, with a regular Leblanc Concerto A and =
a
basset joint made by Steve Fox, who will do it for any of the big name
clarinets. I just use the Fox lower joint instead of the Leblanc, and =
keep
the Leblanc top joint and bell. It mellows the overall tone slightly, =
but
that is if anything beneficial. It is heavy, though, and I don't use it =
when
the low notes are not needed.

Steve was telling me last week that he can even do a basset joint (ie =
for
the keys Eb down to C only) that adds on to the end of a regular bottom
joint, with the basset keys on a plate-like extension up to the thumb.
However, this will only work on a German-style clarinet; not because of =
the
keywork but because of the bore. The French bore flares out much earlier
than the German, and the bores won't match properly if you stick a bit
between the bottom joint and the bell.

You are right that the top joint of Bb and A clarinets are different, =
but
the tops of a A and an A basset are identical, as are the Bb and Bb =
basset.
The basset joint itself is identical to the standard joint until you get
down to Eb.

It is good to see from Tony that Howarths are doing the basset joint. If
anyone in the UK wants to try mine, they can get in touch with me off =
list
and we can make an arrangement to meet. It will probably work OK on a =
Buffet
as well as Leblanc; I have not tried this but the bore designs are =
similar.=20

Keith Bowen

> Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2004 08:05:11 -0500
> To: <klarinet@-----.org>
> From: "Ginger Hill" <Gigi1182@-----.com>
> Subject: RE: [kl] While on tour ...
> Message-ID: <000301c40056$ff052050$6401a8c0@home9vw7szpn7a>
>=20
> I'm not sure if I like this idea-
>=20
> I own a Bb and an A R-13. One time I accidentally put the A bottom on
> the Bb top- intonation was terrible and some notes wouldn't speak. I
> don't think it's just the bottom that is a little extended for A
> clarinet. I think the top has slight variations as well.
>=20
> ~Ginger
>=20

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