 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-08-03 01:28
I was just looking at Prestige model bass clarinets on the Buffet web-site and noted that they are equipped with the alternate (left hand) Eb/Ab key but the site doesn't mention whether or not they have the articulated G#/C# mechanism. I know there are a number of regular contributors to the Clarinet BBoard that own Prestige basses. Can someone provide me with this information regarding the articulated G#/C# mechanism? Thanks.
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Author: aaron_diestel
Date: 2003-08-03 03:01
The Buffet Prestige, actually none of the Buffet Bass clarinets have the articulated C#/G# mechanism. Maybe some of the older models from 50 or more years agao do, but the newer ones (from about 10 years agao, and the model where they redisigned the keywork) do NOT have the mechanism.
This is unfortunate, but I can't say much bad about the horns in their current condition. That's just one option that's missing
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2003-08-03 03:28
i have a bass prestige but i don't know what is "the articulated C#/G3 mechanism".
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Author: Francesca
Date: 2003-08-03 04:31
The articulated C#/G3 mechanism allows the player to hold down the C#/G# key but still play all the notes below it because the hole gets closed. For instance, one could be fingering D3, press the key, and the note sounded would still be a D. Try this on your soprano clarinet and you'll see what happens. This comes in handy in faster passeges where when one has to alternate quickly between those tricky notes. (ie, It lessens the need for finger coordination between the hands for pressing a key down and releasing some at the same time.)
In answer to Robert's question, no, the Buffet's don't come with the articulated mechanism. That's the biggest difference (IMO) between the Buffets and Selmers these days. I have the articulated mechanism on my Selmer 37. It's neat, but to be honest, I don't use it very often. Hope this helped.
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-08-03 06:35
Thanks for the info. It's interesting that the Buffet bass doesn't have articulated G#/C# while it's competitor-- the Selmer 37--does. Personally I like the articulated G#/C# and have it on several of my clarinets. But I know that alot of players don't care for this mechanism. The Patricola company offers it on their line of clarinets (though they don't make a bass) and it can be de-activated so that it operates the same as a regular G#/C#. A useful and innovative feature in my opinion. It would be nice to have the choice of articulated G#/C# or no on a wider selection of makes.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-08-03 14:46
I think that the articulated mechanizm is an optition that can be specially ordered on the Buffet Prestige bass (for a price, of course).
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-08-03 18:09
I think the Buffet sopranos can be had in full Boehm system (which includes articulated G#/C#) but I'd be surprised if any extra keywork were available for bass besides what comes standard.
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2003-08-04 01:59
Francois Kloc told me that they did not put an articulated g# on the basses because they used three low Ds. He tried to explain why this was, but I couldn't really follow his reasoning. From what I gathered, they had a choice of three low Ds OR two low Ds AND an articulated g#. I still don't see why there cannot be three low Ds and an articulated g#. If anyone knows, I would like to hear why. It does seem, however, that the mechanism for an articulated g# could be installed by a qualified tech.
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Author: Francesca
Date: 2003-08-04 05:36
The only reason I can think come up with in response to Dave's query is that having that much keywork on an instrument is a logistical nightmare. I have the articulated G#, 2 low D's, and one each of low Eb, C#, and C. That mess alone basically ensures I'm at the repair tech at least once a year to have the lower joint readjusted. Good times!
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-08-04 15:49
I can't figure out why three low Ds are considered necessary. My Selmer 37 has the system described above by Francesca, and it is a very playable system. My bass does spend a fair amount of time in the shop, though.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-08-05 06:50
The reason is the positioning of the keywork. To articulate the G# a whole key set needs to be inserted at the middle joint and being a bass it needs to be fairly substantial with a long spring and would probably preclude one of the D mechanisms or need substantial new design and tooling; they have no doubt chosen one option over the other. How many people really use an articulated G# properly anyway? I am a sax player and I cope without one on the clarinet and flute.
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Author: donald
Date: 2003-08-05 08:40
kia ora
a number of multiphonics are made impossible by the articulated C/G# key- i don't know if this is a consideration as far as Buffet are concerned, but this fact has disuaded me from considering this key option on either soprano or bass clarinet. Most of the bass specialists that i know perform modern rep in addition to "straight" rep and may prefer the "unarticulated option"... but this is really just conjecture.
donald
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-08-05 15:26
My old Selmer 33 BC is as near a [soprano-character] Full Boehm as is [I guess] possible, lacking the "fork" Eb/Bb. Mark P's question of [proper?] use of the artic keying is well put, and its requiring a [another?] "cross-joint" link and spring- actuated pad opening can cause problems. I dont really know, but suspect there can be interference in the "Basset-extended" keying locating. I would suggest just reading the catalog descriptions of the keywork and trying various makes-models at symposia. A fine discussion! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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