Woodwind.OrgThe Clarinet BBoardThe C4 standard

 
  BBoard Equipment Study Resources Music General    
 
 New Topic  |  Go to Top  |  Go to Topic  |  Search  |  Help/Rules  |  Smileys/Notes  |  Log In   Newer Topic  |  Older Topic 
 Yamaha 221 Bass Clarinet
Author: allencole 
Date:   2004-02-08 22:45

I just had an adult student bring in one of the new 221's and was absolutely ASTOUNDED at its sound and response. This was particularly acute since I have one of the older 221's that was the same model (I think) as the Vito 7166.

The entire range was clear as a bell, and responsive even to staccato tonguing--something that I am clearly not used to with my single octave vent.

I examined the instrument closely and determined that it did not have a double register vent.

Does anyone have any experience with this model, and if so--are they all this good?

I'd also like to know how well those tenon joints with the O-rings will hold up over time.

Allen Cole

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Yamaha 221 Bass Clarinet
Author: diz 
Date:   2004-02-09 02:25

Allen ... I've not played thier bass clarinets, but I'm very fond of their pro-sopranos ... how was the sound over the break?

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Yamaha 221 Bass Clarinet
Author: allencole 
Date:   2004-02-09 05:46

That's the thing that has me so excited. It was right up there with a top-line Buffet with dual vents. I never expected to get those results with a register mechanism that looks like the same one on my horn.

But this is the only one of that model I've every played. The question is whether lightning strikes twice...

Allen Cole

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Yamaha 221 Bass Clarinet
Author: graham 
Date:   2004-02-09 08:11

I tried the top of range Yamaha bass in a shop recently and thought it was poor. Intonation was very bad, and tone was weedy and lacking character.

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Yamaha 221 Bass Clarinet
Author: FrankM 
Date:   2004-02-09 12:11

I've had a 221 for about a week now and am quite pleased with it. It is my understanding that the older model student bass was the same as the Vito. The 221 is a different horn. The rubber gaskets in place of cork on the bottom joint seem a little odd to me, but so far are working fine. This new Yamaha certainly plays better than any other "student" bass I've ever played, but I should add this is the first bass I've ever owned....all the other ones I've ever played were loaners. Maybe some of the more experienced bass players familiar with the 221 could compare it to pro models they've played.

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Yamaha 221 Bass Clarinet
Author: David Spiegelthal 2017
Date:   2004-02-09 14:10

I've never tried the Yammy 221 so I can't say if this is applicable, but once in a while one finds a single-register vent bass clarinet that plays really well --- as I recently posted in another thread, I've played dozens of single-vent basses and all except ONE had the typical deficiencies --- but one (a Leblanc Esprit) played great, just like a top-notch double-vent instrument --- I still haven't figured out why!

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Yamaha 221 Bass Clarinet
Author: allencole 
Date:   2004-02-09 16:32

David Spiegelthal wrote:

> I've played dozens of single-vent
> basses and all except ONE had the typical deficiencies --- but
> one (a Leblanc Esprit) played great, just like a top-notch
> double-vent instrument --- I still haven't figured out why!

This is what concerns me. I wouldn't want to seek out a new one--and possibly sell my old one--based on one glorious freak.

Allen Cole

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Yamaha 221 Bass Clarinet
Author: FrankM 
Date:   2004-02-09 18:35

Allen, I bought mine from WWBW and had to wait several months. They will allow returns after a trial period (45 days?) but I like mine and am keeping it. Now, having said that, I would have loved to try a bunch and select the best one, but could not find any locally. I'm blessed with a great repair guy who I figured could touch up any minor problems encountered from buying an untried horn. Regardless, don't sell your old one until you're sure!

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Yamaha 221 Bass Clarinet
Author: Don Berger 
Date:   2004-02-09 18:59

Dave - As I posted somewhere else, about a year or so ago, I tried out a used top-of-line Leblanc bass cl [SRK], newly serviced-tweaked at Wichita Band and was very pleasantly surprised at how well it played my "test" notes, lower and upper clarion, dern close to my Selmer 31-3. So, like you its possible to find a goodie!! Prob should have bot it!! Other Leb's and Nob's just werent good! Did I give you the 2 patent #s of Yamaha's bass cls, which keying I've been hoping to find on available Yammys, it "looks" good on paper at least. I'll post them if anyone asks. Am waiting on an O'Brien glass, sop, refaced by my "friend" in Italy, Manfredo Cavallini, to see if he could remove the chip it had. He said it was a job. Don

Thanx, Mark, Don

Reply To Message
 Avail. Forums  |  Threaded View   Newer Topic  |  Older Topic 


 Avail. Forums  |  Need a Login? Register Here 
 User Login
 User Name:
 Password:
 Remember my login:
   
 Forgot Your Password?
Enter your email address or user name below and a new password will be sent to the email address associated with your profile.
Search Woodwind.Org

Sheet Music Plus Featured Sale

The Clarinet Pages
For Sale
Put your ads for items you'd like to sell here. Free! Please, no more than two at a time - ads removed after two weeks.

 
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org