 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: oldreedguy
Date: 2021-07-08 15:58
Ah the question that has been beaten around the bush since I let go of my 33 Selmer in Budapest 16 years ago after I got disgusted at the 2005 Rome Festival Orchestra…it was a personal issue I’m only now, at 60, addressing…
And we have COVID issues in the music world…what to do?
By the Grace of my Music Muse I’m swimming back into the Clarinet Sea.
A local music store recently “gave” me a 1974 R13 Bb in mint condition. I just had a nice talk with Ted Ridenour who is sending me a TR147 “A” clarinet I picked up on eBay for US $750. I’m dreaming of playing in some sort of ensemble again if the GD Covid thing ever lifts here in the US Northwest.
I’m not an Efer player (the Shostakovich 7 solo is playing in my head right now…)
so the missing piece is a low C bass. Ted has indicated some flexibility in me procuring one of his father’s basses but I heard a demo of the harder-to-get Kessler (with whom I have also spoke in the past). The “Earspasm” demo I heard made the Kessler sound better than Tom’s horn. I’m just getting back on my feet financially at a veterans rehab facility. As a result, getting a top pro low C bass with no playing prospects is out of the question. I’d still like a low c bass to fool around with at the $2000-$3000 price point.
What would you do if you were in my moccasins?
What’s the best option here?
Thank you and g’day mates!
Barney near Seattle Washington
YouTube channel is "Barnett Plisko"
60 year old cat getting back into the clarinet world in Seattle area...hopefully COVID will let the music play again...
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2021-07-08 16:16
The Kessler is the best option. You should check out the Facebook for sale pages, a Kessler recently sold for $1200. My fiancé recently found a used Kessler “Midnight Model” with the Bam case as well on Facebook. I would just keep your eye out for a used instrument or get your name on the waiting list for a new instrument.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-07-09 01:01
If you ever find a used Buffet or Selmer low C bass for up to $3000, then snap it up. Also put some aside for repair work.
With brand new Chinese basses (and new Chinese instruments in general), unless they have been fully reworked before being sold and are commanding a considerably higher price as a result (depending on how honest the company selling them is as there's not a lot of honesty in the music industry) compared to the same ones found on eBay, Aliexpress or elsewhere which are straight from the factory and not set up, then you can get lucky with them if they're sound and only improved by having money spent on them if you can justify that.
At least the new generation of Chinese low C basses have fully linked keywork on the lower joint which older Selmers (Series 9, etc), Leblancs and Amati low C basses lack which makes large interval slurs much easier at the low end of the lower register, provided they're well regulated.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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