 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-11-20 16:06
Does anyone here have any detailed info or experience with Frank Hammerschmidt German bore Boehm system clarinets?
Are these the proper 'Reform Boehm' or standard Boehm system with German bore (as Yamaha do)? Ideally I'd like them to be Reform Boehm system.
Their website doesn't give much away, only I've seen a pair for sale for what seems a good price (but only listed as being Boehm system) and wonder how they are in every respect - but I don't want to commit myself before doing any background research.
And I've done a search on here which hasn't given much away either.
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Author: Bnewbs
Date: 2005-11-20 20:28
The ones I have seen o Ebay and other listings have been standard Boehm system (17 key, 6 ring) with the German bore. Their website kind of sucks, but since his reputation is so good among European symphony players especially in Germany and Austria he doesnt need it to be great. It also looks nearly identical to the Herbert Wurlitzer site, which I find kind of funny.
I have never played one, I did see an article on the German bore Boehm system clarinets he has been "perfecting", it was on the net but I can't remember where. So if you really want reform Boehm I would seggust a Luis Rossi German bore model, or if want drop an obscene amount on your next instrument, try a Wurlitzer I hear there the best in the world from every one who tries them (and sits on the waiting list for two years because thats how much business the have for how many peope they have). I hope this is helpful,
Ben
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-11-22 14:57
Yeah, these are standard Boehm system but with German bore - that's a shame, I was hoping they were Reform Boehms. Not to say I've completely lost interest as extra keywork can always be added.
Still a good price though - less than the price of a new R13 Bb for the pair of them.
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Author: clarinet60
Date: 2005-11-22 16:28
What's the difference between a Reform Boehm and standard Boehm with a German bore??? I thought they were one in the same...
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-11-22 17:09
Reform Boehms have extra vents and other mechanisms that I wouldn't mind having (similar to some of the extras full Boehms have), and an improved throat Bb mechanism.
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Author: javier garcia m
Date: 2005-11-23 12:19
Chris, are you talking about Frank or Otmar Hammerschmidt?
Otmar makes the complete range of German instruments, from Eb to bass Bb and the Reform Boehm system. He is located in Tirol, Austria and he has a very good reputation as clarinet maker.
As many german makers, their clarinets are very expensive.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-11-23 12:51
This set are Frank Hammerschmidts.
Did Gerold Angerer (who makes the 'Amadeus' clarinets) once work for Otmar Hammerschmidt? I assume he did as he's Austrian.
(Which are more desireable - Frank, Karl or Otmar Hammerschmidt clarinets? And G.R. Uebel or F.A.Uebel, and C. Wurlitzer or H. Wurlitzer? Or does it (more likely) all depend on what you prefer, or what your wallet will stretch to?)
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2005-11-23 13:05)
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Author: Hansdenijs
Date: 2005-11-23 20:45
Attachment: Neidhardt Es 0050.JPG (80k)
Attachment: Neidhardt Es 0051.JPG (73k)
Attachment: Neidhardt Es 0052.JPG (74k)
Attachment: Neidhardt Es 0097.JPG (194k)
Chris,
Maybe somewhat confusing, but main differences exist in the quality of the German makers, focussed on their soloist clarinets:
Wurlitzer familiy: Fritz (father) and Herbert Wurlitzer (son): +++
Uebel family: only original F.A. Uebel clarinets, that means till serialnumber 17xxx. +++
(After the dead of Fritz Arthur Uebel in 1963 the quality declined very rapidly till mediocre in the DDR period)
Hammerschmidt family: Otmar and Frank Hammerschmidt: +++
Furthermore a very good still living maker is Eberhard Scherzer (Neidhardt) See attachment for a very special german-Böhm hybride E-flat clarinet from my collection.
All these clarinets are played in the professional German and Dutch Symphony orchestras.
Of course is this list not complete, rising in importance at the moment is the firm Leitner & Kraus - also in Neustadt a/d Aisch, Germany, former masters from the Herbert Wurlitzer firm.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-11-23 21:17
That's a pretty impressive marriage of keywork, and all crammed onto an Eb!
Only thing I can't see any evidence is the long Eb/Bb link (xoo|xoo) but I'm sure Eb/Bb can be played as xox|ooo as well as the side key - and the cross key.
Do you have the Bb/A set of Neidhardt clarinets as well?
This is certainly sparking a lot of interest! I've seen Leitner & Kraus listed on here http://www.cs.ru.nl/~bolke/DuitseKlar/oehlerlistOld.html
I'm off to investigate...
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Author: Hansdenijs
Date: 2005-11-24 08:30
Chris,
In this genial design (early seventees) no link between upper and lower joint is needed, which is a big advantage.
This instrument must be played with special, even for German standards smaller dimensioned mouthpieces (like A flat) and of course small German reeds. The positive result of this dimension is a very good playable altissimo register and an overall very good tuning and solid sound. Negative is the lack of standardisation. Eberhard Scherzer is already 60+ and makes only some clarinets a year and is doing the support for a small circle of known clients. He makes clarinets in the best German tradition at the highest level of workmenship.
I have indeed also an A/B-flat set from him, but in his special Neidhard system with a wide bore, short upper joint and elongated lower joint with also special keywork, best playable with his special dimensioned mouthpieces.
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