 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ClarinettyBetty
Date: 2017-10-12 21:44
So I am in search of a bass clarinet for gigs (musicals) and the 2018 ICA orchestral excerpts competition. I am trying to find something that is "good" but also not $8,000+ for a used one.
I found a used Amati grenadilla bass for around $800. It's about the same price as a plastic Selmer and both are low Eb's. Should I just go with the "big brands" only or has anyone tried the Amati bass? I like the idea of grenadilla but have never tried Amati so it's a bit of a stretch for me.
I am only looking to spend about $2500. I don't mind older horns; if anyone has any suggestions or other ideas please let me know! I know many people on this board love Ridenours but the ones I have tried were just not my cup of tea.
If applicable, I live in north Texas.
Thanks!
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Eb: 1972 Buffet BC20
Bb: Selmer Paris Presence
A: Selmer Paris Presence
Bass: 1977 LeBlanc
https://gentrywoodwinds.com
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2017-10-12 22:11
Many of the older Amati basses were very poor quality, unless you know for a fact it is less than 5 years old I would avoid it. Personally I would get a nice Selmer as you are almost guaranteed a great instrument once it is serviced and in good playing condition.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Toolaholic
Date: 2017-10-13 00:22
I would look into a Ridenour . The low Eb models are around $2K. The low C Ridenour is about $3K
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-10-13 02:02
The low D, Db and C aren't linked up to the rest of the mechanism on Amati basses.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2017-10-13 07:48
For $2,500 you might be able to find a used low Eb Selmer (Paris) pro model. All of them are pretty good, somewhat variable in build quality and eveness depending on when it was made.
I disagree that Amatis from more than five years ago are poor quality. I didn't notice a huge improvement five years ago and much older ones were ok too. They are not as good as Buffet or Selmer, but one of the main issues is the low notes which are not there on low Eb models. They are much better than any Chinese bass clarinet I've tried so far (haven't tried a Ridenour).
New ones cost about half of a Buffet or Selmer. For $800 it could be a great option, depending on condition.
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Author: alanporter
Date: 2017-10-13 08:24
Why are we concerned so much between low Eb and low C models ? How often do we need to play below Eb ? In many years of concert band playing I have only once had to play a low D, never below that. And as I was only playing harmony, I left the note out !
tiaroa@shaw.ca
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2017-10-13 15:46
I sort of like the Amatis, and one in good working condition (assuming it is) for $800 is a steal. You can barely get a decent Vito or Bundy for that sort of money and the Amati would play much better than either of those.
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2017-10-13 17:07
Claribass,
Many Amati basses have very thin necks and suffer from "pull-down". I know exactly which bass OP is looking at and the description clearly mentions repaired pull-down on the neck, although it still looks bent from the photo so I wouldn't trust it. Also there is a large patch of wood that looks to have been repaired with some type of glue, not sure if it is a crack or chip but it looks serious. Amati instruments from more than a few years ago often had cracking problems, especially the G clarinets they made.
I'm sure Amati made good instruments at some point but I would avoid this particular instrument.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Toolaholic
Date: 2017-10-13 18:21
I use the extended range all the time in orchestra especially when I play the transcribed bassoon parts when there is no bass clarinet part. I even played a low D in community Band the other nite which shocked me to see it written.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-10-13 18:51
Just because you don't encounter that many low Ebs, Ds, Db/C#s and Cs doesn't mean they're redundant as you can always use them to support weak tuba players if they struggle with getting those notes cleanly and securely.
The printed part is only a guide - it's up to you as a player to bring it to life.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2017-10-14 18:15
>> Many Amati basses... <<
I don't know the specific one and he didn't mention any serious problems. If there are any that's different, but it's still only $800. A new Amati is over $5,000.
I've tried about ten Amati basses and almost all of them were older than five years (some significantly older). I can't say pull down isn't an issue but none of them had it. A support brace can be added for not a huge amount.
Statistically I haven't seen more cracks on Amatis than other companies, and that includes many more soprano clarinets (among them several G clarinets).
I'm not trying to over defend them... I think they are no where near as good as Buffet or Selmer and I'd definitely prefer an older Selmer, even the models I don't like much...
So it really depends on the specific issues this one has I guess. For $800 I agree with Dave and IMO it is much better than a Vito, Bundy, etc.
>> How often do we need to play below Eb ? <<
Depends what you play. I use them all the time. Just one example, I have eight pieces to play in a couple of coming concerts, at least four have notes below Eb. The other four are not finished yet and probably some of them would have them too. It is actually rare that I have a cocnert without using some of those low notes.
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Author: graham
Date: 2017-10-14 20:08
Keep in mind that the mouthpiece angle is flatter than Buffets/Selmers by design. My Amati needs periodic tightening of screws. But other than that everything keeps in perfect regulation. The emission can be pretty uneven, and it works better with softer reeds for that reason. It has a buzzy sound but perhaps more character than some basses.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2017-10-16 19:30
I'm currently playing "At World's End" and it has a lot of (quite exposed) Ds and Cs. I love to grumble "down there".
(Talk about practicing long tones....)
--
Ben
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