 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2005-09-29 08:44
I was wondering if anyone actually owns an Amati bass clarinet. It looks like you can get a low C Amati for under $3000. How's the quality and sound?
--Contragirl
Post Edited (2005-09-29 08:44)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-09-29 08:59
Probably not too bad, but not all that good at the same time if their other clarinets are anything to go by.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-09-29 09:30
I can't really help you, but my advice is don't listen to anyone unless they actually played this instrument, but even then unless you try it yourself it is not really possible to know.
If I would judge the quality of Buffet A clarinets by the first one I've tried, I would say Buffet A clarinets are the worst. After a few years I've tried a few others and they were excellent.
I think you are from the USA, so what is stopping you from going to a store and try it?
Good luck,
Nitai (who is from a country that doesn't have any new bass clarinets, and the only options to get one is to special order without being able to return it, or fly to another country to buy it)
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2005-09-29 09:39
Just loking through the sponsors list I see that Graham's Music stocks Amati basses. If you are in the States and close, go and try them and let us know.
Cheers !
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-09-29 10:50
I spoke to the UK sales rep a while back about these low C basses, he didn't seem too enthusiastic in how they played, but was enthusiastic at how the Amati company were turning themselves around for the better.
There have been some radical changes since independence, but here in the UK we're still cautious as many Corton (one of the many names - Lafleur, B&H 400, King Lemaire, Musica, Artia, Lignatone, Meinl, etc.) instruments from a bad era still haunt us - like the alto sax I tried my hardest to get working for me (but it worked for the young lad that owned it, probably as he was used to it) - but probably due to the wide crook and narrow bore it wouldn't play low C#, C and B without bubbling. Low Bb was alright.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2005-09-30 11:41)
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Author: graham
Date: 2005-09-29 11:21
The UK reps for Amati are hopeless where the bass is concerned.
Yes it is a good instrument but there are certain characteristics and caveats. This has been discussed before so a search is worthwhile. All I can say is I am playing mine happily. I am not professional but do good amateur stuff.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-09-29 12:01
I see Amati have also recently made a better alto clarinet (with covered action), so it shouldn't be too long before they might redesign their basses as well. They've certainly improved their contrabassoons in the last five years.
I read some of the earlier posts about Amati low C basses last night, and it was mentioned that some undercutting and other tweaking here and there does improve them.
In the meantime, here's a picture:
http://www.amati.cz/english/production/instruments/Files/acl/acl_692g.htm
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2005-09-29 22:22
Yeah, I am wondering more upon ppl's personal thoughts from playing an Amati. I'm not sure if any place near me would have one for me to try (I can look at Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center, I guess).
I first saw the ad in the Woodwind and Brasswind. I wouldn't order something without first hand trying a horn, so they're out of the question. But Weiner music has them as well. I plan on goin to NYC in a week or so, but how far is his store from the city?
I'm used to a Selmer 37, so I might think everything else is crap anyway. ;p
But for an affordable, wood/silver low C bass, Amati sounds pretty good. I have also heard that their quality is improving over the years and they are a lot better that they used to be.
--CG
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Author: Wayne Thompson
Date: 2005-09-30 04:46
From reputation (as in reading references to them here), they are definately worth trying. Call Grahm's music; I don't think anyone else in the country puts the effort he does into setting them up. (If you know different, let us all know.) Or call Amati USA, located in New Jersey. (908-301-1366 or 800-721-7878.) Either of these contacts may have ideas about where to try one. I saw one at the January NAMM (distributed under another name) and it looked ok. Unfortunately it was there for show, no attempt had been made to set it up, and it played poorly.
CG, if you find one at Weiner's, please tell us how you liked it. Quiz them deeply about how they set it up, whether they do much fine tuning.
W
PS As I sit here, I have an Amati C in my lap. ( I also have an Amati music folder close by; that's why I have the phone numbers.) The clarinet is very well made but plays a bit stuffy and uneven to my sense. Maybe it is just different from what I am used to (Buffets). I am currently considering having Grahm's Music doing their setup on it.
Wayne
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-09-30 11:46
Can you go from low G to low C just with the thumb keys as on a Selmer or Buffet bass, or do you need to hold down the low D (that's if there's a LH low D key fitted) as well as the low C thumb key, as you have to do on Leblancs?
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Author: graham
Date: 2005-09-30 12:03
Chris, you hold down low E and then finger any of the lower note keys.
One particular aspect of this instrument I have found is that it sounds much better "out there" than it does to the player. So ask others what they think as well as judging for yourselves. And, yes, it needs softer reeds than the Buffet would.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-09-30 12:15
I see - looking at the picture there's a bit of mechanism coming around to the front - I wasn't sure if this linked the thumb branches with the low Eb.
But on mine (Buffet) it depends if there's a leap from G down to C - on the Buffet it will work relaibly just by pressing the low C key, though I do put the RH low E down as well to be on the safe side (similar to putting the low Bb down on bari with the low A).
The good thing with Buffet, Selmer and Leblanc basses is the extra front low D key (Buffets do have the best action though, having the longer low D touch and better leverage) - this is useful when going from low D up to A as that's done by only lifting two RH fingers.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2005-09-30 12:19)
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Author: graham
Date: 2005-09-30 15:07
You can also use the RH E flat key and all notes below will operate. But the Amati also plays E flat on a thumb key which then requires the E key also to be depressed. This may explain the linkage you refer to.
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