 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: gRAHAM
Date: 2000-09-09 17:08
HI,
Has anyone here herd anything about the E.M. Winston bass clarinet? Or better yet has anyone played one?
www.emwinston.com
GRaham
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Author: Dave Spiegelthal
Date: 2000-09-11 17:26
Haven't seen or tried one, Graham, but I do know that "E.M. Winston" instruments are Chinese-made el cheapo specials --- caveat emptor!
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Author: gRAHAM
Date: 2000-09-11 21:21
I know Winston instruments are the dried ketchup at the bottom of the cafeteria trash can but the bass clarinet is supposedly made in Europe.
GRaham
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Author: SusieQ
Date: 2000-09-11 23:03
Hi Graham,
I have never heard of E. M. Winston bass clarinets. If you are checking into one, make sure it has leather pads, if it doesn't, it probably isn't worth the time and trouble. Vito and Bundy student models have a leather pad option for around $100. If you try one, let me know how you like it.
Good Luck,
SusieQ
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Author: gRAHAM
Date: 2000-09-12 00:26
Hi everyone. E.M winston supposibly just started "making" a bass clarinet. It is wood and has leather pads. A pic and discription is at www.emwinston.com
GRaham
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Author: Nate Zeien
Date: 2000-09-12 01:07
Graham, I haven't ever played on an E. M. Winston bass clarinet. What I do know, is that if you buy a cheap plastic bass clarinet, you will probably regret it. Unlike plastic clarinets, which are quite playable but lack the tone quality, plastic bass clarinets are considerably harder to play on than wooden ones. The intonation is poor, the resistance is funky, and the sound in the upper registers is horrible. Most all of the plastic bass clarinets I have seen, have problems with the mechanisms and keys. And about Dave's comment on Winston, he has a good point. At the music store where I do my business, they refuse to sell Winston instruments. All of the catalogues that Winston sends them, get thrown in the garbage. I also have heard nothing but bad things about the Winston soprano clarinets. My best recommendation to you, is to look for a good used wood bass clarinet, you could probably find a decent one for less than the price of a new plastic one. Good luck. -- Nate Zeien
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-09-12 01:24
Nate Zeien wrote:
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Unlike plastic clarinets, which are quite playable but lack the tone quality, plastic bass clarinets are considerably harder to play on than wooden ones. The intonation is poor, the resistance is funky, and the sound in the upper registers is horrible. Most all of the plastic bass clarinets I have seen, have problems with the mechanisms and keys
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There are many fine plastic bass clarinets for those on a budget. Try "plastic bass clarinet" as keywords in the Klarinet archives.
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Author: Nate Zeien
Date: 2000-09-12 01:44
Mark, what models of plastic bass clarinets have you had good luck with? I know of a selmer model that doesn't play too bad, but the keys are in need of swedging. There are new instruments, that don't play too bad, but have some of the mechanical flaws that have caused problems with the older horns. Perhaps the newer instruments won't cause problems in the future, but from what I have seen, I am still leery of plastic bass clarinets. -- Nate Zeien
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Author: SusieQ
Date: 2000-09-12 02:02
Don't be so quick to cut down plastic bass clarinets. Although the wood ones have better tone, they aren't for everyone. I for one prefer a plastic one because most of the concerts I play in are outdoors and it would be to risky to play a wooden one with the variation in temperatures I have encountered. A new plastic bass clarinet is a lot less expensive than a wooden one and good used ones are not that easy to come by. A good mouthpiece and reed setup can help a lot on a plasic bass clarinet.
SusieQ
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Author: gRAHAM
Date: 2000-09-12 02:13
OK!!!!
Hold on here. Has anyone read the discription on the web page or read any other posts on this subject!!!!!
IT is a wood clarinet. It is supposingly made in Europe but then again winston saxes are supposingly made in boston.
Here is the discription on the web page:
Key of Bb, .913" Bore, Grenadilla Wood Body,
Nickel Plated Keys, Adjustable Floor Peg, Leather Pads, Complete Outfit
CN790: Keys to Low Eb
CN791: Keys to Low C
But then again they also say:
E.M. Winston
Band Instruments
are available at
all fine music stores.
GRaham
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Author: Nate Zeien
Date: 2000-09-12 02:21
Graham, I had started writing my first response, but I tried going to the Winston webpage, but had no luck. I went back, finished my response, and sent it off. After I did so I noticed that while I was coming up with my response, you had posted add. info. Oops! I would have to admit, even I would go with a better quality plastic horn than the Winston, but that's just my opinion. -- Nate Zeien
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-09-12 02:29
Nate - search the Klarinet archives as I suggested. There's plenty to read there.
I also seem to remember that Clark Fobes (I think) set up a plastic bass clarinet that is considered by some to be one of the best sounding & playing horns ever - but I can't find the reference unfortunately. I'll check again later.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-09-12 02:33
Whoops. Try Charles Bay and a contra alto and Peter Spriggs and a bass.
<a href=http://www.sneezy.org/Databases/Logs/1998/03/000068.txt><b>http://www.sneezy.org/Databases/Logs/1998/03/000068.txt</b></a>
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Author: Nate Zeien
Date: 2000-09-12 03:05
Mark, I took a look at the link you supplied. I do not doubt a good plastic bass clarinet can be made, however notice the reference to "better keywork". This is pretty much the problem with most plastic bass clarinets, as most of them are designed as student models, they don't have too great of keywork. Plastic works fine with sopranos for an extended period of time because there are not the keywork problems that are found on most common student model clarinets. I do not mean to offend any plastic bass clarinet fans out there, but a good plastic bass clarinet can be a little hard to find, especially in the typical Winston price range. I myself have a good metal clarinet that I will play now and then. Most people would argue that metal clarinets are junk. Rightfully so, because most all of them are - you just have to find a good one, as I did. -- Nate Zeien
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Author: gRAHAM
Date: 2000-09-12 03:18
Hi,
the direct link is http://www.emwinston.com/pic_flute.htm
I cant make direct links so just copy and past it. Although it looks alot like an amati
http://www.kwim-v.com/pics/ACL692.jpg
maybe thats who makes it.
Graham
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Author: Allen Cole
Date: 2000-09-14 06:47
I find that the Vito bass clarinet has a number of vocal fans, and that the Yamaha YCL-223 is actually the same unit. I purchased a Yamaha in great condition via Ebay and it works pretty well. Intonation isn't bad.
The high register is difficult, but I am reserving judgement until I can take it to a local bass clarinetist who does repair work.
You can get one new for under $1000.
Allen Cole
allencole@richmond.com
http://allencole.tripod.com
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Author: gRAHAM
Date: 2000-09-16 17:14
Thanks for all your help,
I found a modle 35 for 900
GRaham
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Author: Wes Brown
Date: 2000-10-18 06:20
Hi!
I recall that I saw a Winston and an Amati bass clarinet at the last NAMM show in Los Angeles. They looked to me as if they were made by the same factory. The thumb key arrangement looked very good with four keys in a square allowing sliding to all four keys. With all the noise at those shows, it's hard to evaluate instruments.
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