 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: mrn
Date: 2009-08-25 00:43
That's interesting that he decided to come out with a contrabass model before an eefer. Seems like more people would be in the market for an eefer. On the other hand, the "low cost contrabass" market is probably pretty devoid of competitors.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-08-25 01:55
There may not be any NEW low-cost contrabass clarinets, but used metal Leblancs (straight and 'paperclip' versions) are available for relatively low prices almost any day of the week on That Infernal Internet Auction Site Whose Name Shall Not Be Mentioned (TIIASWNSNBM). I'd suspect that as most of these instruments get little use and spend most of their lives in their cases in a dusty corner of some school's band room, they are probably in reasonably good condition.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2009-08-25 02:41
Too bad he doesn't demonstrate it. At $2500 for the prototype, it's a real bargain, particularly with his mouthpiece. Note, though, that it goes down only to Eb, not C, and, as a straight model, you'll have to stand (or sit on a high bass stool) to play it.
David -
Every school contra I've seen, on eBay or elsewhere, has been in unplayable condition. All of them require extensive restoration. Steve Fox said he had to put over 30 pins in my Selmer rosewood Eb, and it took a week of work for a flute specialist to shim the pads on my paperclip BBb Leblac.
Ken Shaw
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-08-25 03:15
Ken, I personally know two people who bought used Leblanc contras as I described, and both played fine after just a couple of hours of repairs and adjustments. So as they say, "your mileage may vary".
Tom's contra appears to be the contrabass version of his bass clarinet, that is, probably Chinese-made and a copy of something (in this case, looks like a cross between a Bundy and a Yamaha). If it's anything like his bass clarinets, I'd be suspicious of the ergonomics and metal quality of the keywork.
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Author: Bobby McClellan
Date: 2009-08-25 04:50
I would absolutely love to have the BBb contra but honestly do not think that I would use it enought to justify the expense.
Bobby M. McClellan
Flowood, MS
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-08-26 20:03
I've received a lengthy and informative private email from Mr. Ridenour explaining the significant improvements he has made in his low clarinets since the unfortunate semi-bad experience I had with one of his very early production bass clarinets about five or six years ago.
I should not have implied that his current bass clarinets or new contra clarinets have any of the ergonomic and metallurgical problems that his initial batch of bass clarinets did back when I bought one. From his message to me it is evident that he was well aware of those issues and has decisively remedied them on current models. I should not have made the remarks I did which would seem to imply that those problems remain.
I apologize to all on the BB and especially to Mr. Ridenour.
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2009-08-26 21:25
Bobby, five years of playing "Funeral March of a Marionette" on your porch on Halloween is enough justification for buying one.
B.
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Author: William
Date: 2009-08-26 22:13
David--no need to apologize to me. I would be 'suspicious' as well........
Post Edited (2009-08-26 22:19)
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Author: Bobby McClellan
Date: 2009-08-26 23:23
If I wasn't already saving up for another horn man I would jump on it.
Bobby M. McClellan
Flowood, MS
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Author: nahoj
Date: 2009-08-27 17:35
Nice surprise!
A pity he doesn't demonstrate it, it would sell easier for sure if people could hear it, even only very shortly in a promotional video.
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Author: Bobby McClellan
Date: 2009-11-25 02:31
I ordered the one that he had. I will let everyone know how it goes once is comes in and I get a little bit of playing on it.
and from a disscussion on the SOTW forum
I played on a school owned paperclip oh I would guess 20+ years ago. That is what began my facination with the bass clarinets. I currently play on the YCL 221II (which was recommended by members here) and the Vito EEb (off of aution online for 700), and from time to time on alto clarinet.
I wish I could have gone with a paperclip style but even on ebay in who knows what condition they still go for 4+grand for the BBb. WWBW want 4 grand for the new Vito BBb.
This one is 2300 from Tom. Now they did tell me that when he gets the complete production run going they will be in the 4000 range also.
I under stand about the stool thing and that really does not bother me all that much. Probably will be used in ensemble kind of stuff that will most likely be play at nursing homes and such. might get used in a couple concerts which in our lay out puts me by the sting bass and that buts us both on stools ( he would be so lonely). I see the thing about swapping if you are giging. If I was doing true pit would I would have to rethink things. But for using in out community bands this is the best option for me.
Oh I have been posting some tidbits about Tom's basset A in about discussion. I remember several members were interested in it.
the BBb should be in on Friday and I will let everyone know my 1st impressions.
Bobby M. McClellan
Flowood, MS
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-11-25 13:07
Quote:
Nice surprise!
A pity he doesn't demonstrate it, it would sell easier for sure if people could hear it, even only very shortly in a promotional video. Tom has a few samples on his website of quartets and whatnot all played by him, on his clarinets. It's only a matter of time I'm sure before a youtube video on his page gets put up about it, or he has a recording with it. I'm sure it's in the works.
Alexi
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Author: Bobby McClellan
Date: 2009-11-27 20:26
Came in today.
1st impression.
Overall looks are good. Body seperates in the middle like on soprano (wish the EEb I have did this!). Straight out of the case with a quick run through. the feel is pretty good, about the same as the vito EEb i have. the key work, as many of you thought is surprisingly simular to the vito. I do believe the body is hard rubber. it is actually lighter than the EEb i have. I will be playing on it more over the weekend if I get more time.
Everyone!!! The case it to die for! It is simular to the protec cases but man are the wheels nice. but even with out the wheels the fact that it is a light weight case it just plain nice.
on 1st impression it met all of my expectations.
I will be posting more as I get time to play on it. I have to find about a 28 inch folding stool!
__________________
Bobby M. McClellan
Flowood, MS
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Author: nahoj
Date: 2009-11-28 14:12
Thanks a lot for your reports and those to come!
However it is perhaps a lot to ask, even in the Youtube-Age (after Stone Age, Bronze Age,...) we live in, some pictures and if possible a sound recording would be very much appreciated as well! :-)
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-11-28 21:00
I would think that once production ramps up and he has a regular supply of the instruments, he will run videos/photos and audio samples of what they sound like.
Jeff
“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 (2009-11-28 21:01)
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Author: Bobby McClellan
Date: 2009-11-28 21:02
I will take some pictures of it and post them as soon as I can. As for sound recordings I will see what I can do
Bobby M. McClellan
Flowood, MS
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Author: Bobby McClellan
Date: 2011-11-22 04:16
I know I have not posted since 2009 about the BBb Ridenour Contra. Just wnated to let everyone know that it is holding up nicely. I use this as a primary instrument with the Communuty Band that I play with. it gets hauled from the house to rehearsals once a week and play senver times a week at home rehearsing. I am also using the BBb in a clarinet choir that we started up.
The horn still meets my expectations. solid built. I did get Walter grabner recently to make a new mouthpiece and hit has opened the sound up even more.
I still love the case and the 2 piece body. The stool has not been an issue, I found a foldup stool at Bed bath and Beyond that has work perfectly.
REALLY NEW NEWS:
I saw a hint from Ted (Tom's son) that there may be another protype available. I called and talked with them both ad here is what it is.
It is a EEb contra in the same configuration as the BBb that I already own. After taking up alot of thier time we agreed on arrangement and the EEb prototype is on its way to me. I posted the pictures of the horn that Ted sent me on my FaceBook. http://www.facebook.com/#!/bobbymacmcclellan.
It is the same set up on the case as the case for the BBb. I currently own a Vito EEb but the 4.5 foot case is a pain to deal with and I am pretty sure it is due for some pad work that is near impossible to get done local. So with the support and the consistant result of the BBb I ordered the EEb Prototype.
I asked Ted the prospects if this going into production, and if I could put comments out about it since there was really no word that this horn existed. He said that this is a "possibility" but no definate as of yet which is the case with the BBb. I think that the G1 wood clarinets that hey just released have taken up a consideral amount of thier time.
I will post more about it after it arrives.
Bobby M. McClellan
Flowood, MS
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2011-11-22 05:22
Is the Ridenour contrabass clarinet significantly or at all different from Chinese contrabass clarinets sold by other suppliers?
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Author: Bobby McClellan
Date: 2011-11-22 16:59
Cound not tell for certian. I know not long after I got the BBb I saw them pop up on the auction site. I called Tom and talked with him about it. There are his design and that the factory has used it to offer out, but he did say that if they are not setup coming out of the factory, which is why he goes through all horns he sells. I know people have said things about weak keys but these are not any weaker than the ones on my Vito EEb.
Bobby M. McClellan
Flowood, MS
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2011-11-23 04:10
The ones I've tried were pretty decent when comparing to the best contrabass clarinets (considering they cost between 1/5 and 1/10), in contrast to how the Chinese bass clarinets compare with the top bass clarinets (not so great yet IMO). Too bd they only offer a low Eb model (at least I haven't seen a low C model from them yet).
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Author: Clarnetamaphone
Date: 2011-11-23 17:01
Ridenour Clarinet Products does offer a Low C Bass;
http://ridenourclarinetproducts.com/lowcbasspage.html
Ted Ridenour
Ridenour Clarinet Products
972-572-8910
Ridenour Clarinet Products
1-888-AKUSTIK
ridenourclarinetproducts.com
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Author: Bobby McClellan
Date: 2011-11-23 20:38
Ted glad to see you on here, I cannot wait to get the EEb. Now I just need to sell the Vito!
Bobby M. McClellan
Flowood, MS
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2011-11-24 04:12
If the post from Clarnetamaphone was in reply to my post above, I'll just clarify that by "too bad they only offer a low Eb model" I was referring to the Chinese only making a low Eb contrabass clarinet (at least AFAIK).
Post Edited (2011-11-24 11:41)
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Author: Bobby McClellan
Date: 2011-11-25 20:46
Clarnibass,
A contra to Low C would be nice. I did hear back from Ted (Tom's son) last week and he did say that they will have a couple BBb contra production models available mid Feb.
Bobby M. McClellan
Flowood, MS
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Author: Bobby McClellan
Date: 2011-12-01 22:33
The EEb contra arrived today. I did not have time to play on the horn as of yet. Visual inspection. looks well made, (exact same configuation as the BBb prototype that I currently have). Case is very nice being a "protec" type of case instead of the heavy wood case of the Vito EEb I currently own. I added a couple pictures of the key setup and posted them on my facebook with the other pictures if anyone wants to take a look.
Bobby M. McClellan
Flowood, MS
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