 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: RefacerMan
Date: 2018-03-31 17:51
Does anyone know where I can purchase a new adjustable Selmer bass clarinet thumb rest? A friend of mine has acquired a beautiful 1949 Selmer low E-flat bass clarinet in mint condition. The problem is the original thumb rest is too low on the instrument and it curves over her thumb and traps it. So just moving it up won't work. She would like to replace the thumb rest with one like the thumb rest on new Selmer bass clarinets. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Post Edited (2018-03-31 17:51)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: windplr
Date: 2018-04-01 02:36
I'd investigate the possibility of getting one from Selmer Paris.
Post Edited (2018-04-01 02:38)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Max S-D
Date: 2018-04-03 09:34
Not necessarily an answer to your question, but have you considered just removing it?
I was at my tech's shop with my old Selmer 33 bass and we did some keywork modification to the RH thumb keys. While we were working on exactly how we wanted to execute this, it became pretty clear to me playing (and him watching) that the thumb rest was just in the wrong place (much too low).
He unscrewed it from the body so that we could figure out what my hand wanted to do, with every intention on putting it back on, but once we had it off, I didn't feel like I needed it back. I always play with a peg or a neck/shoulder strap and would never, ever play the bass holding it by the thumb rest, nor do I think anyone should. The only real strain issues I've had with the bass have been when I'm using a neckstrap set too low and then lifted the instrument the last cm or two to my face with my right hand.
Now that I can't do that and just have to have the neck strap set at a correct height, I really do feel less/no strain in my right arm.
Maybe someday I'll put the thumb rest back on, but I can't think of a reason why I'd want to at this point. I met with another local player recently who took his thumb rest off of his 33 as well.
I'm not sure if this has been an endorsement of removing thumb rests or an indictment of the 33 and its awful thumb rest position. But I don't miss it at all.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2018-04-03 19:03
Max,
I would argue against removing the thumb rest on a bass clarinet.
As a player with both a Selmer Model 32 and a Model 65 Privilege bass, I use both a peg and a long strap with each one. The thumb rest along with the contact point of my top front teeth on the mouthpiece provides me with a very solid instrument platform and allows me to use my fingers more fluidly. IMHO more points of contact = greater instrument stability = increased dexterity.
HRL
PS Refacer, the thumb rest on the Privilege is really nice.
Post Edited (2018-04-03 21:17)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GeorgeL ★2017
Date: 2018-04-03 20:26
I have a Selmer Model 30 and put my thumb on top of the thumb rest. No need to move the thumb rest, and the thumb is higher on the clarinet.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
