 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: chuangka
Date: 2014-05-29 13:36
Hi everyone,
I bought a Selmer 67 Bass Clarinet and I have some problems for the low notes( low E to low C, mainly low E). Now I am practicing the Shostakovich Sym. No.7 excerpts and always have problem to find good sound of the low E. And in the 4th mvt also have problems from low C#, D# and E. But when I use my orchestra`s Buffet 1193 I have no problem to play those notes. I have asked my repairman to check if there is any leaking of my Selmer but he said there is no leaking of it..
For me, when I play Selmer 67 low notes, I always feel that the tone is not full, and sometimes I got weird "vibrato" feeling(especially the low E). I am wondering if anyone has same experience. Other than that, everything is very good on the Selmer 67.
I like the Selmer 67 a lot, but the low notes problems just killing me….if you have any idea, please let me know. Thank you very much!
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2014-05-29 17:50
Possibly the spring tension is too low on the Ab/Eb key causing the pad to vibrate (lift off the tonehole) under blowing pressure. Happens frequently on bass clarinets, also on soprano clarinets. This will cause the 'vibrato' effect and ruin the tone and response of low Ab and below.
If you play quietly with a very soft reed and the effects disappear, then the cause is confirmed.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-05-29 18:24
Have you got sufficient venting on all the largest pad cups? If the venting (key opening) is too close, that could cause stuffiness and resistance when pushed.
Also check the C#/G# pad cup is closing properly and is also held closed by the linkage from the RH main action (just to be sure) and also the adjusting screw isn't overdone preventing the C vent pad (at the top of the lower joint) from closing fully.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Chetclarinet
Date: 2014-05-30 03:55
I have played Selmer Paris bass clarinets for 40 years. Occasionally, I am tempted by the lower register power of the Buffet Prestige bass with a hole in the bell. However, the smooth and beautiful note connections of the Selmer always win me over. I have played bass clarinet in several professional orchestras and ballet orchestras over the years and have never been asked to play louder in the low register, only smoother and quieter over the break. I have played the "Pas de deux" solo in the Nutcracker ballet close to one thousand times over the years and the Selmer Paris bass is superior in this register in my opinion. I bet there are some players who own both a Buffet Prestige and a Selmer Paris bass! Both are great instruments!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-05-30 04:19
Selmer basses pack more of a punch than Buffets, but Buffet basses have the better keywork (in my opinion) which is much better balanced, whereas Selmers have a much heavier action with shorter leverages in places.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2014-05-30 11:27
Maybe there's a venting (key height) issue.
Maybe there is a leak.
The perfect situation is when keys closing together have both the same pressure and close exactly at the same time. Because of the flexing of the keys, that is actually impossible. It is pretty common for low keys on bass clarinet, when there's a lot of flexing, to have some higher keys slightly open or not enough pressure. These can cause the "vibrato" and pressing harder doesn't necessarily help.
If it's just in the lower range then a leak at the top is not so likely, because that kills the upper clarion range first.
The low range on the Selmer 67 and Buffet 1193 are not the same but both should be good.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2014-05-31 02:17
I've been a Selmer bass player all my career and still use my model 61 or 63, never could get a straight answer which it is, the first low C they made, it's fantastic. Anyway, I've seen your problem before. One or more of the pads keys is vibrating down there probably because a spring is not hold the key down strong enough or the pad is not sitting tight enough even though it might not seem like it's leaking. I suggest you play it with a friend so they can "press" down each pad key when you play those low notes to see which one it is that vibrates, it might be more than one.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: chuangka
Date: 2014-05-31 04:58
Thanks for everyone`s reply!
I will check with my repairman again for the springs.
And aslo I am wondering how can I do for the low D and C intonation, they are both sharp, especially the low D, about 15 percent on the tuner.
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