 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SuzaB
Date: 2003-10-25 06:01
I'm upgrading from a student Bundy to "the bass clarinet of my dreams" but don't know what that is or why! The ads for Selmer 37, Buffet 1193, Yamaha and new (1999 and later) Amati brag about various features. . . How or how do I know which is best? (Money is an important factor, used would be great. But I will spend what I must to get what I want. . . but what oh what is it???)
Thanks for any input!
Suzanne
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2003-10-25 06:54
Suggest you run a search under the individual manufacturers' names on this board, but likely more fruitful would be a look at the Bass Clarinet site in Yahoo Groups.
Problem with this sort of question is that you will get views on one specific clarinet in an individual's possession. That individual's experiences might steer you towards an instrument which may not suit you - or indeed away from one which might be perfect for you. They may also come from an unusual example of a marque giving untypical responses.
My own experience tells me that if I were to purchase another bass, I would get myself sorted out with a great mouthpiece on my present bass - then look for a new instrument ! (Until I got one of Walter Grabner's mouthpieces, I hadn't realised I had purchased a great Buffet Prestige.)
Take your time and try many instruments with your new 'piece - as you say there may be an "experienced" bass out there just waiting for you, but you won't know unless you're comfortable with your m/p.
The other point to make is that basses are so much more difficult to set up than soprano clarinets- so if you have a good technician to help you choose/reset that would be an enormous bonus.
Happy Hunting
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Author: Andreas
Date: 2003-10-25 08:27
Bob49t wrote:
"Until I got one of Walter Grabner's mouthpieces, I hadn't realised I had purchased a great Buffet Prestige"
That sounds very interesting. I am struggling quite much with my Buffet Prestige, and am constantly in doubt whether it is a good instrument or not..
How did it change after finding your Grabner?
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2003-10-25 09:49
i have a buffet 1193 and i'm very happy with it. my teacher plays a selmer. 1 day he brought his selmer so we can compare. his selmer was louder but he said he lkied my buffet better because it had a more clarinetish (not sure how to translate it to english) sound, and i agree. i've tried a few selmer clarinets and A LOT of buffet clarinets and i like the sound of buffet better. although that is just my opinion.
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2003-10-25 12:24
Andreas - at the risk of embarrassing Walter, I'll email you direct- it'll also avoid a simultaneous double thread.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2003-10-25 14:34
Both the new Selmers and Buffets are great. Play both and see which you prefer. I own a Selmer and like it very much.
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Author: wyatt
Date: 2003-10-25 14:39
if you can wait until july 2004, come to clarinetfest in washington, dc and try them all. bass clarinet are not cheap and you may want to wait.
bob gardner}ÜJ
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Author: William
Date: 2003-10-25 15:09
Last night, I had the pleasure of playing bass clarinet in a Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra concert, and would like to report that my Buffet Prestige 1193-2 performed magnificietly. The intonation was "right on" in all registers and I had no trouble putting out the "big sound" whenever it was musically appropriate. This is a quality professional orchestra whose performance equal those of the larger Madison and Milwaukee Symphonys, and was the first "true test" of my bass instrument. I must say that I am quite pleased and looking forward to a similar musical experiance in this afternoons WCO concert.
But I do agree that you should play many instruments before making your final choice. Certainly, the Selmers models 33 & 37 are great instruments and should be considered. For my auditions, I had a group of six bass clarinets--all Buffet Prestigue preselected at the factory--to choose from, and some of them were what I would classify as only average to good. The bass that I finally chose--after playng it at home and in various ensembles--was "head and shoulders" above the others and I think I got a "good one". But my point is, I auditioned as many as I could before making my final choice--and, if practical, that should be your stategy also. Don't just buy a Selmer or a Buffet because everyone else likes theirs--you have to like yours, and don't be afraid to be picky.
BTW, I chose my bass clarinet before buying my Grabner mouthpiece--but with Walter's mpc, it plays (I think) even better. Hense my "unrequested and non-compensated" personal endorsement for his products. He also refaced--and improved--my old Vandy B45 bass mpc as well, although I no longer use it. Hope this helps. Bass clarinetting can be sooo much fun.
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Author: lowclarinetman
Date: 2003-10-25 15:33
Well the two main choices for to of the line bass clarinets are of course the buffet prestige and the selmer. They are two very different bass clarients and your choice really should come from what you want to do with it. the buffet does tend to sound more "clarinety", but the price is flexibility in tone and it is quieter. The selmer is louder and has much more tonal flexibility, but you might run into issues trying to blend in orchestras.
I have owned both. I currently play a selmer and i am incredibly happy with it. when i selected my buffet i played about 7 horns. when i got my selmer i only could try 3(but all were superb).
i am currently an orchestral bass clarinetist, but my dream is of course solo and chamber work. there is so much interesting music out there for bass clarinet. good luck with your search for your horn.
equipment is very important on bass clarinet, but to get into that would take way to long and be out fo the scope of this.
best wishes
bob
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-10-26 20:45
Easy answer ... try out as many as possible (don't forget to take your reeds and mouthpiece to the stores with you), you'll find the Buffet bass clarinets are beautiful as are the other big makers. Low C is worth thinking about if you can afford the extra money, too.
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Author: SuzaB
Date: 2003-11-06 19:06
Thank you, one and all, for the advice on bass clarinet purchasing!
Do you know anything about the 1999 and later "Amati?" The guy at Graham's Music said it is now WONDERFUL and it's almost 1/2 the price. . .
of a Selmer 37 of Buffet 1193
Thanks,
SuzaB
Suzanne
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-11-06 19:35
Good comments above, few of us have had the luxury of being able to OWN two or more of a Buffet and/or the Selmer and/or the Amati [which I've not have the opportunity to even try, will do so]! My older Selmer [to Eb, with DRK] with a VG Pomarico 3 mp does all I need for comm band/church/musicals playing. I took the opportunity at a cl-fest several years ago to try the low C's of Buff and Sel, they were different but good! If you can afford the higher priced ones WITH Double Register Keying, I do recommend it, but did play on a VG top LeBlanc {SRK} which would be satisfactory, at a lower price. Try all you can, mine has been a near-lifetime investment. Enjoy this great horn, Don
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-11-06 20:19
Shame the wonderful Stephen Fox doesn't make bass clarinets.
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2003-11-07 05:12
If my lovely Amati Eb (picked up in Prague on holiday) is anything to go by, the bass may be very good too. Doesn't necessary follow of course, but you can only decide by trying a few, but not under pressure in a shop. I'm sure any reputable retailer would allow you a few days of "home trial" when you can try out the instruments in varying accoustics and have more relaxed time to come to an unpressurised decision. Washington seems a good opportunity for you to clinch a deal after having tried out different horns previously.
Again happy hunting
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Author: William
Date: 2003-11-07 14:56
Whatever bass clarinet you decide to eventually purchase, as you originally posted you could now intend to "upgrade" to the bass clarinet "of your dreams", I would recommend choosing a low C model because (I think) they produce a better sound in the upper registers and also, for those rare musical moments that you may have the opportunity to play a low C, C# or D, those notes are sooo coool.
When choosing my bass clar, I auditioned a low Eb Buffet (model 1183) that had been "Brannenized" and, although it played quite well, its upper register sound did not come close to that of the Buffet low C model 1193-2 which I finally picked (out of six). Incidently, as a member of a wind ensemble that plays many new arrangements and compositions, I am encountering those "cool" notes more frequently.
When you finally find your "dream" bass, let us know all about it, OK??
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2003-11-07 17:16
Low-C capability has absolutely nothing to do with upper register sound. What DOES, is double-automatic-register-vent vs. single-vent design, which are independent of the low extension. It just so happens that nearly every low-C model (except for one of the archaic Leblancs) has the double vent, whereas quite a few low-Eb-only basses have the 'student-quality' single vent design. By the way, a few years ago I tried out, simultaneously, a low-C Buffet bass (model 1193) and their intermediate low-Eb bass (the 1180) and the 1180 play better hands-down. So let's not confuse the issue with unrelated characteristics.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-11-07 18:04
Vunderbahr, Dave, You have said it much better than I could have, AGREE, no reservations. Wm does make good points re: the frequency of use of the 3 extended range notes. My thots, also. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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