 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kontra
Date: 2010-06-27 06:58
As you might have seen I started a thread on the Alto Clarinet earlier... Now I have a question about the Basset Horn. Ive heard them play and they have a beautiful sound. I have no idea where to buy one. Can someone point me in the right direction, and maybe how much I should expect to pay? Thanks.
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2010-06-27 08:04
Basset horns are almost never used these days but you can still buy them new from larger dealers such as Woodwind & Brasswind. New basset horns are extremely expensive, selling for $9k - $12k USD. You can probably get them used for much less money but I have never actually seen a used one for sale. Unless you will be playing a LOT of music that specifically calls for a basset horn I would suggest instead buying a good used alto clarinet for 1/10th the price and transposing.
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2010-06-27 10:29
SteveG-CT wrote:
"Basset horns are almost never used these days"
Not true. Here in England we always use the basset horn for the Mozart Req, the parts in Magic Flute and Figaro also the parts in the R. Strauss operas as well as all the chamber music. To be quite frank an alto clarinet is no substitute for the basset horn and could not be used in Rosenkavalier or the Wind Symphonies by Strauss because of the extensive use of the basset Cs. The alto can't get down there.
I would suggest to the O.P. that you source some second hand instruments. A new buffet prestige basset horn will cost cost you nearly £5,000. Roughly $7,000.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: Franklin Liao
Date: 2010-06-27 10:40
If one would obtain a new Basset Horn, I think that invest in makers such as Stephen Fox would definitely be warranted due to the inherently high price of the instrument and its already low availability generally.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-06-27 10:45
In the UK the Buffet basset horn is the lowest priced compared to the Leblanc (if they still make them) and Selmer.
If you want to get regular playing on basset horn, you can always play from horn parts in concert bands that are lacking horn players.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: dgclarinet
Date: 2010-06-27 12:59
I just looked at wwbw.com, and the Buffet basset horn sells for $12,000. Are they really only $7,000 in Europe?
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Author: Danny Boy
Date: 2010-06-27 13:12
Howarths list the Buffet Basset at £4595. I make that just shy of $7000.
As Peter has said, the Basset is in common usage here for all the works he mentioned - it's rarer to see the 13 winds done these days with 4 clarinets instead of 2 + 2 bassets, thank goodness.
I've never played a new Buffet basset that I like without major tweaking, my own has been extensively tweaked and rebuilt to the extent that Buffet don't have much claim over it anymore!
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Author: davetrow
Date: 2010-06-27 15:13
Tom Ridenour sells a Basset/A combo (two different lower joints) for $2195.
http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/basset.html
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA
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Author: Danny Boy
Date: 2010-06-27 15:23
Dave - that's a basset clarinet - the poster is asking about basset horns. Different animal.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-06-27 19:56
Posted in error. Please delete.
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2010-06-27 19:58)
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Author: Kontra
Date: 2010-06-27 20:01
Wow, the basset horn is definitely expensive, I guess Ill just stick to an Alto until I can afford one. Thanks guys.
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Author: Simon Aldrich
Date: 2010-06-28 15:10
Like Peter, we use basset horns regularly here in Montreal, for Mozart (operas, Gran Partita, Requiem, etc) and for things like Richard Strauss operas.
"Wow, the basset horn is definitely expensive, I guess Ill just stick to an Alto until I can afford one."
If money is tight but you want a basset horn, you can have a low D added to an alto clarinet and that gives you the range of the basset horn (a low C on basset horn is the equivalent of a low D on alto clarinet).
Simon
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-06-28 15:40
An easy and inexpensive way to get a low D on an alto clarinet (if you don't need the low Eb) is to stick a cardboard tube in or drop the mouthpiece cap in the bell.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: jasperbay
Date: 2010-07-01 00:14
That cardboard tube idea is why I love this site! Somebody ought to patent the device, cuz sure as God made little green apples, a certain entreprenure from BC will start selling a 'cocobolo' version for $500+, and everyone will have to have one!
Clark G. Sherwood
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Author: Franklin Liao
Date: 2010-07-01 03:07
Only one problem with that suggestion jasperbay... a theoretical paper mache bell with voicing groove just won't hold itself together long enough!
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Author: graham
Date: 2010-07-13 17:14
If you are interested in a modern use of the basset horn listen to the following recording from NMC Records
http://www.nmcrec.co.uk/recording/winter-passions
featuring Richard Hosford clarinet/ basset horn
Disclaimer: I am an unpaid trustee of the charity that produces this (and other) recordings
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