Klarinet Archive - Posting 000716.txt from 2004/11
From: "=?iso-8859-1?Q?Anna_Cecil=EDa_Benass=ED?=" <acb@-----.is>
Subj: [kl] bass clarinet and mouthpiece
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 04:55:02 -0500
All I can say from my end is what worked disastrously at my school. We
bought a Selmer student model (plastic) upwards of 15 years ago - it had
to have been a Bundy, but I don't have the instrument in front of me to
verify. But the keywork was made from metal so flimsy that the left-hand
e/B-natural key broke in half twice. I know these keys are long and the
pressure of the little finger has to be enough to close a hole a country
mile away, but for the dad-blamed thing to break in twain was a bit much.
After that episode, it was weak at the solder and was quick to fall apart
again.
We also have an old Vito (maybe 20 yrs old?) that I bought used from Fred
Jacobowitz. It's a far better instrument than the Bundy, but we've never
been in a position to give it the overhaul it needs and deserves. I'd call
it our problem in that case, not the horn's, and certainly not Fred's.
I tend to like Yamaha student horns because of their notable durability,
but I have no experience with the harmony clarinets and cannot comment.
As for mouthpieces for the rank and file, I like my Hite quite well. Gives
a big sound, but I have found it rather narrow for several of the
ligatures I've tried. Even the Hite ligature is hardly small enough for
it! The thing is always coming loose. I just ordered a bass mpc from
Walter Grabner but am waiting eagerly for it to arrive in my Christmas
Contraband package from me mither.
I realize that most of this is a negative reponse to your question, but
perhaps it's worth a penny or two. Best of luck!
Anna
**************************************
Anna BenassÃ
State-Certified Translator
English <–> Icelandic
Lindarbraut 2a
170 Seltjarnarnesi
ICELAND
tel: +354 562-6636
mobile: +354 895-1958
e-mail: acb@-----.is
**************************************
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Klarinet is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org
