 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jessie
Date: 1999-10-12 19:42
I'm looking to invest in a Bass Clarinet. Which would be a good brand that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, but will last for a very long time.Thanks for the time.:)
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-10-13 01:38
Both Buffet and Selmer make very highly regarded pro grade bass clarinets. However, be prepared to part with about $5000 or more (US mail order price) to fetch one brand new. There also may be a waiting time for production and delivery, too.
One thing to consider about the bass clarinet is its resale value. Bass clarinets enjoy a particularly good resale value because they are, well the word isn't rare, it's more like scarce. Bass clarinet players seem to come out of the woodwork when there is a good horn (new or used) on the local market. My brother just bought a new Selmer 35 bass clarinet for his son. From what the folks on this BBS have told me, that horn is one of the best in its class of pro grade bass clarinets. For us ordinary mortals, it's the investment of a lifetime. For pros, a horn of this caliber is a bread and butter necessity to be competitive. Check out Buffet's latest models. I hear that they are very good, too. Of course, there are the other two highly regarded brands of bass clarinets in LeBlanc and Yamaha, but the latest from Buffet and Selmer seem to have caught the attention of today's afficionados.
I believe that there are some references to bass clarinets on other parts of this BBS. Surf over to those pages to get more details and expert critiques on today's latest horns.
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Author: Dave Spiegelthal
Date: 1999-10-13 15:10
Vito plastic bass clarinet (make sure it has leather pads). About $900 new, plays very well. Doesn't have the snob appeal or resale value of the $4500 Buffets, Leblancs, and Selmers, but if you're on a limited budget and just want to play music, it's a very good deal.
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Author: Daniel
Date: 1999-10-13 23:44
paul wrote:
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My brother just bought a new Selmer 35 bass clarinet for his son. From what the folks on this BBS have told me, that horn is one of the best in its class of pro grade bass clarinets.
Actually, the Model 37 is the creme de la creme of Selmer. The Model 35 is their low Eb model.
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Author: William Fuller
Date: 1999-10-14 18:21
FYI--I was told by a prominet mouthpiece maker (and bass clarinetist) that plastic clarinets play virtually as well as the most expensive wood models. If you are on a budget (and who isnt) maybe if you can find a good Vito or Bundy model, it would be the way to go. If you want low C, however, I think you have to go expensive--plastics only reach Eb.
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-10-14 21:08
Daniel:
You are correct. The Selmer 37 is the top dog. But, the 35 is still a great horn with a good reputation. Definitely pro grade. From what I can glean from everyone, the 35 is one of the best Eb bass clarinets on the market today. The only other horn like it is today's equivalent Buffet bass clarinet. At least that's what I've heard so far.
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Author: steph
Date: 1999-10-15 14:34
sorry to say this but probably no brand is cheap but good quality. warning do not buy a vito i paid 1600 for one and it played very badly my advice is find the least expencive of the magor brands leblanc selmer-bundy conn king etc
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-10-15 14:41
steph wrote:
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sorry to say this but probably no brand is cheap but good quality. warning do not buy a vito i paid 1600 for one and it played very badly my advice is find the least expencive of the magor brands leblanc selmer-bundy conn king etc
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Conn? King? They are not players in bass clarinet arena AFAIK.
A Vito could be called a Leblanc-Vito. Some are fine, some aren't. Most new clarinets, especially basses, can benefit immensely from a close going-over by a tech before you accept them.
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2005-12-16 20:00
[Six years after this thread was started] What is the best used bass clarinets to be considering. I've had a fondness for Leblanc Paris instruments and indeed have a Bb soprano and Eb alto made by them. I'm an intonation freak, okay as close as you can be without being a pro. I'd like to play the bass in clarinet choirs and jazz ensembles.
Recently I've heard that Leblanc's use a single venting technology that makes playing smoothing across the register more challenging.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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Author: bass9396
Date: 2005-12-16 20:15
I would buy Vintage if you don't have the cash to throw around. I play a Leblanc 400 from the '50's that my parent's paid $1500 for. Not only does that horn "talk" but it plays all volumes extremely well. The Leblancs have this gorgeous "purple" sound that I grew up learning.
If you want to buy new, Leblanc and Selmer are the same to me. It just depends on your preference. They are of equally high quality and play extremely well (I have a ~97-98 Leblanc 430) and they hold up! I played that new horn for 6 years before a repad (which is not adviseable), but it didn't quit until it was done. It was like driving a car until it won't go anymore. I mean, I played the crap out of that thing, and it stuck with me.
Yamaha and Buffet are excellent brands but they don't do anything for me, especially in the way of maintainence. I've seen way too many be extremely persnickety with their users. But that's just one fellow's opinion.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-12-16 20:27
Jim,
The first thing you should do is buy a top-grade mouthpiece, if you don't already have one. You can't go wrong with Clark Fobes or Walter Grabner, and there are good ones from Roger Garrett, Pomarico, etc. Then your play-testing of whatever you can find will be meaningful.
But you already knew this.......sorry for preaching to the choir.
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Author: BassetHorn
Date: 2005-12-16 21:23
If you are thinking Investment = $$, then your only choices are Selmer and Buffet.
If Investment = personal playing enjoyment, then the above does not necessarily apply.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-12-16 21:25
I agree with David S. about the mouthpiece. Also, want to add my 2 cents worth about Vito bass clarinets. I bought 2 of these several years ago and had to take both back. My friend, the store owner, told me the bass clarinet is a difficult instrument to produce with quality and to avoid the cheapies. Look for a good used Leblanc (wood pro model) or Buffet wood. Be patient and you'll find one. Keep saving your pennies (or whatever) until you find it. If you get a used one, bear in mind you may be looking at a pad job or overhaul--so budget accordingly.
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2005-12-16 21:27
I would only add that the new version of the bass (last two years) that Tom Ridenour is behind goes all the way to low C. For a plastic horn, it's the only option for extended range. However, the one that I spent an hour with once did not impress me in the least, either in feel or in overall worksmanship, which was abysmal at best. (I didn't get to play it as I had no mouthpiece along.)
As for the others, the main difference between plastic and wood is going to be the octave/register mechanism. At one time, all Leblanc horns had their system of register key (which tied the hole change to the A key in the front, and used one (poorly located, I might add) vent for everything north of Bb in the middle of the staff. (More recent Leblancs have gone to the linked to the lower joint register key.)
On such a horn, you will get it to work well enough if everything is sealed up tight. However, I noticed a considerable difference in timbre between everything up to Bb, and everything above Bb. I didn't really like the consistence and voicing of the notes from in the staff C to above the staff C, and only when the first finger vent was opened for the altissimo did I really feel "in control".
Given a chance to buy new, I would pick Selmer first, either Buffet or Yamaha second, Leblanc a distant third. (There's also the Leblanc forked Eb mechanism to deal with, if what I've read is correct.) I would avoid the "single" register mechanism if you are serious about playing (and then guard the horn with your life to prevent others from screwing up the adjustment on same.
Vintage horns can be a buy, but vintage means pre-owned, and pre-owned with bass clarinets usually means former school horn. Other than a tuba, there is no more abused school instrument than a bass clarinet. Enough said on that topic.
And, a good mouthpiece is a necessity. Of late, I've moved to a Selmer G facing, and am quite happy with it for Nelson Riddle/Vegas style play behind my female vocalists.
leader of Houston's Sounds Of The South Dance Orchestra
info@sotsdo.com
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-12-16 21:42
I've just bought a Pomarico 3 bass clarinet mouthpiece, and it plays like a dream! I think some refacing work has been done to it, though I may be wrong, but it's definitely loads better than the Vandoren B46 I've used.
And certainly I don't think I should have much trouble with Nelson Riddle's arrangements of 'Under My Skin' or 'Witchcraft' with this little beauty - my Vandoren was much harder to control in comparison.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-12-16 21:49
Not mentioned above are Tom Ridenour's Low C and low Eb basses, believed to be available. I tried out both [with my Pomarico and Selmer C*mps] at a Brooks-Mays in OKC, and liked the Eb quite well, not quite as good intonation/volume - wise as my Selmer 33, but worthwhile at lower cost. The Low C was also quite good, but larger hands than mine would be needed to get those lower 3 notes, I recall I could have bought it at about $2000. Yes, the wood pro models are VG, costly and widely accepted/admired. Re: those without "double register keying" [DRK] [from my experiences] including older Leblancs, I strongly suggest careful evaluation-consideration of intonation AND ease-of-playing of the lower clarion notes before purchase, to avoid later disappointment. LUCK, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-12-16 22:34
I bought one of Tom Ridenour's first low-C basses, played a couple of concerts on it which I recorded, and was very unhappy with how I sounded, so I sold it after about a month of ownership. It also had a number of workmanship and design issues which I discussed via email with Tom. I don't know if his current crop are better than the one I had (which, despite its problems, was still a pretty good value for the money), but I would try them out with an open mind, yet keeping my expectations fairly reasonable! It ain't a Selmer 37 or Buffet 1193, that much is certain. The Ridenour is basically a hard-rubber copy of the Yamaha bass, by the way --- so if you don't care for the sound and keywork of the Yammies (which I don't ) you probably won't like the Ridenour either.
Not yet mentioned are the recent Amati low-C's --- again, they're not the best, but they're considerably less money and might be worth a try.
As for me, I still like my 1950s/60s-vintage German/Czech Kohlerts.... they're like a bargain version of the old Selmers (similar design) but very affordable -- some modifications needed to bring them up to par, however.
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Author: bass9396
Date: 2005-12-16 23:08
I say just play the horn. Picking around keywork isn't going to do anything for you. If you like it, you like it. If not, you don't.
My feeling on the whole topic is: you can do anything on any instrument, but some instruments just make it easier. Never harder (unless it's in disrepair.) If you are getting a vintage instrument check out the repairman who worked on it before you buy. Mine came highly recommended. So it wasn't a problem.
The Leblancs are nicer than people give them credit for. The octave mechanism on my vintage horn works so well that I never thought of it for a second. Plus, throat Bb sounds like a dream.
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2005-12-17 17:08
I lost the Buffet 1180 to a last minute spike by two people on eBay. I was so frustratedThat I called Jim Hayes in Topeka and he sold me a completely refurbished with new neck, bell with ped, and case Leblanc Paris bass clarinet. Now to decipher the mouthpiece stuff. I love my Ralph Morgan RM15 on the Bb. But it took me a while to figure that out. Maybe Roger or David will help me with this decision too. Can you tell I love this bboard? :o)
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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Author: mnorswor
Date: 2005-12-17 17:34
Actually, Selmer's top of the line model is the 67 now, not the 37. This is commonly known as the Privilege. It can be purchased in grenadilla or rosewood. I believe the rosewood is special order only. These are nice instruments, though I'm a little disheartened that Selmer has taken a bit of the "umpf" out of the sound with a leaning toward the Buffet in so far as constriction of the bore in the top part of the lower joint. They play remarkably even, soundwise, and the keywork has been ergonomically re-designed and is not quite to my liking, but lots say they do like it.
I'd take a look at them or the 37s. The 37 can be found on closeout from WW & BW.
--Michael
http://www.michaelnorsworthy.com
Post Edited (2005-12-17 18:40)
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