 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2005-09-16 19:56
Hey all,
I'm bass cl "looking" again. (I dare not call it shopping since I probably have no intention of actually buying)
Anyway, I came across a Malerne bass for about $1500. Is that too much for an older bass? And are they good horns? For some reason I would feel ripped off if I spent over a thousand for something that isn't a top 4.
Thanks,
CG
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Author: BassetHorn
Date: 2005-09-16 20:52
I have a Malerne alto, and paid US$400 for it. Nice playing horn, good material, so probably fairly priced. So judge for yourself when translated to the bass...
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-09-16 21:20
CG,
These instruments were also made as 'stencils' under literally dozens of other brand names: Linton, Conn, York, Lyon & Healy, Olds, King, SML, Evette & Schaeffer, etc. etc.
This is a very common instrument, made in two versions -- one-piece hard-rubber (ebonite) body, and two-piece wood body. The designs and the way they play are essentially identical other than the aforementioned differences. They are a single-register-vent design, like Bundy, Vito, Noblet, and most of the Leblancs -- and THAT is the crux of the problem.
$1500 is WAY to much for a Malerne bass, even if completely restored to mint like-new condition. I've renovated/modified probably a dozen of these over the last few years (and even have one at home right now awaiting attention), and what I've found is that they are very consistent: they have a decent sound but not a great sound, and they all have the typical characteristics of single-vent designs: stuffy and resistant 'long' low-clarion B and C (also sharp in pitch). I've tried everything I know to correct or at least mitigate these tendencies, with varying degrees of success. I even added a homemade manually-operated second register vent to one of them because the instrument was nearly unplayable (in my opinion) without it.
Also, the keywork feels good in terms of action and spacings; but the metal is rather flimsy and things are easily bent. I've never gotten one that wasn't bent in a number of places.
Definitely play the thing first. You're a good bass player; you'll know right away if the horn's a keeper or not. If you're purchasing it long-distance, make absolutely sure you have return and refund privileges!
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-09-16 21:34
Well said Dave S, I worked-up an HR Linton, SRVK version, not bad [nor VG!], sold it for $500, recommending to the student's parents to trade it off for a DRK version, may have to sell them my GREAT Selmer 33 on my 3rd ?? retirement ! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2005-09-16 22:32
If you buy one off that well known auction site just have them ship it directly to Dave for a tune-up/overhaul (depending on his instructions) and you will have an instrument vastly improved. I have a Conn, hard-rubber, Malerne and It's all I will ever need.
Bob A
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Author: electravox
Date: 2012-07-22 07:42
Attachment: malerne bass.jpg (216k)
"They are a single-register-vent design, like Bundy, Vito, Noblet, and most of the Leblancs -- and THAT is the crux of the problem."
Funny I just got a double vented one. My Evette and Schaeffer was also double vented. Keywork is pretty much identical.Both are hard rubber, not plastic. Perhaps I misunderstand what is meant by single register-vent?
Post Edited (2012-07-22 07:50)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2012-07-22 07:50
>> Funny I just got a double vented one. <<
I can't be sure from that photo, but it looks like a single register key model. On those single register key models the register lever (where you press) still operates two keys, but one is for the throat Bb only, so it's not a register key.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-07-22 10:02
That's a typical Malerne single speaker key mechanism in the photo. Double speaker mechanisms have a linkage from the lower joint so the mechanism is switched over when RH3 is raised/lowered while the speaker key is held down.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: electravox
Date: 2012-07-23 01:01
Thanks for the info! I've been wondering what I was missing.:) BTW both instruments play great, especially in the altissimo range- very sweet up there. Maybe it's the hard rubber, but the tone seems warmer and darker than the resinite Selmer I used to have. Maybe that's subjective. regards Ed
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