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Bass/Alto MPs and Necks

Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-05-15 19:31

As C H suggested, I'll record here the micrometer measurements I made on my 3 bass and 3 alto mps and on the necks to my Selmer-Paris bass and alto cls. Because of the limited "reach" of the internal-diameter-measuring "fingers" of the micrometer available to me, I measured the mps at the tenon ends and farther-in [slight differences], and, unable to reach the mp socket "start-of-tubing", had to disassemble the "adjustables" and be satisfied with measuring the smaller-tubing size of the assembly. [A lengthy and overly cautious description??] Bass neck at joint, 23.30 mm ID, Bundy 3 mp 22.98, B45 22.95, Sel C* 22.90. Alto neck at joint, 16.60 mm and 16.65 [farther in], Olympia 3 and B44 16.77, Sel C* 16.69. Interesting, as I seem now to prefer the Bundy and the Olympia [seldom played ], so I believe the factors of length of lays and tip openings are much more important re: my choices [as only a "semi-pro"]. I have noticed that some of my soprano cl's barrels are noticeable smaller than my better-playing mps, and may also be slightly different from the upper-joint-tenon diameter, even on my poly-cyl-bore L7 LeB! I mildly wonder if bore mis-match might be a more serious problem to the other-than-Bb sops on mp interchange, and particularly re: choice of Basset Horn mp!!! More Research [and opinions] badly needed? or as Shakespeare said, Much Ado About "not very much" . Don

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RE: Bass/Alto MPs and Necks

Author: C. Hogue
Date: 2001-05-16 16:08

Don, your research may seem like a "much ado" excerise, but I found it helpful. Clarineting depends on a heap of variables, including condition of the pads, the type of reed, temperature and humidity even!

This is how I think your research adds to our body of knowledge.

I believe your conclusion is important -- lays and tip openings likely have a greater influence on the sound and feel of playing alto and bass clarinets than the "exit bore" measurement of a mouthpiece when compared to the "entrance bore" of a neck (or your good proxy for it).

Such "negative findings" often are as important as "positive" ones (those that correlate say tip opening to ease of blowing or a certain type of sound). Negative findings help us focus our energies to the stuff with a greater influence.

Thanks, Don! As a store in the D.C. area likes to say, "An educated consumer is our best customer."

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