 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: DAVE
Date: 2008-07-14 03:21
Okay, I know everyone raves about the Buffet Prestige and all but has anyone here played on the top model Yamaha with the low C? I have a Prestige and it certainly is good, but it's starting to drive me crazy. Sure the tuning is fine, but my keys feel super clunky and overall I would say the tone and legato is also clunky. The horn seals fine and while I know it could stand a little tweaking, I have never felt it equaled the smoothness of my soprano clarinets.
So maybe I am looking for something else. I like the Yamaha soprano clarinets quite a lot, so I am wondering about their basses, hoping really. Thoughts?
david
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2008-07-14 04:53
I've tried a few of the Yamahas but don't remember much about them because I only played them for a few minutes a few years ago. The little I remember is that I think I liked them less than Buffet and Selmer, both the keys and the sound. It's worth trying them because you might like them. If I were you I would also consider a Selmer which is different from Buffet both in sound and feel of the keys. I think the Buffet and Selmer are best bass clarinets now and although I prefer Buffet I wouldn't say one is better than the other.
What do you mean by clunky keys? Do you mean they are not comfortable for you and you really can't get used to it? Or maybe there are mechanical problems that need to be repaired? For me the Buffet keys are the most comfortable but it does feel like you're holding something bigger than other bass clarinets I remember.
Clunky sound and legato? If you don't like the sound try other bass clarinets. Some people just like the sound of the Selmer more.
Is the legato problematic in the entire range? If it is, then most likely you have leaks or adjustment problems. If it is specifically a problem with legato from low register to the clarion register which uses the top (neck) register key then it is IMO a specific problem on the Buffet instruments and there is a solution. You can contact me for more information on this problem if you want (click on my username for my email).
Nitai
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: C2thew
Date: 2008-07-14 06:05
I kind of found myself in the same situation with clarnibass on the yamaha bass clarinets. I agree everything about the keywork, sound, feel etc etc. I just didn't feel the funness or the liveliness in the sound the way the buffet plays. i only noodled with one for a few minutes, but the keywork kind of felt just a tad uncomfortable. Clarnibass hit the review pretty solidly.
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2008-07-14 11:56
Couldn't agree more with clarnibass! I guess we are all different but I love the feel of the Buffet compared to the Selmer I had. Have never tried a Yamaha though. My hands are VERY large though so this may be some of the difference. Ergonomically for me it is a great fit.
I don't think any bass is going to be as easy as a Bb soprano and you sort of have to accept that. It does feel more like a sax and there's a definite resistance difference in crossing the octaves. I generally start my practice with some exercises over the break to get my head into it, especially after playing other clarinets. You might also want to play games with the register key. There does seem to be a "sweet spot" by changing slightly the position of the neck joint where the octave mechanism works better (after you find it mark this mentally so you put it there each time) and I have adjusted the little adjusting screws to improve the response of the first octave key opening. Apparently the second opening works less well for some basses but on mine it works like a dream. If your B4-D5 appear stuffy, try the small adjusting key. It doesn't take much tweaking so adjust no more than a 1/4 turn and check it as you.
Hope that's some help!
Eefer guy
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2008-07-14 15:21
>> There does seem to be a "sweet spot" by changing slightly the
>> position of the neck joint where the octave mechanism works better
The neck key on the Buffet bass clarinet is actually very good in that the position doesn't make any or at least not a significant difference. This allows the best adjustment with the option for the player to choose the position based on what is most comfortable.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-07-14 15:33
Well first of all I think it’s pretty unlikely to get a bass clarinet to have the same smoothness of a soprano clarinet. The keys are so much longer and heavier it would be impossible to get that same feeling. BUT, you should be able to get it adjusted so it plays smooth and even with a minimum of noise. I think you need to spend a little cash and go to a very good experienced tech and tell him what you want, then sit there when you pick it up and don’t leave until you’re satisfied with how it feels. When I leave my guy I feel it’s as good as it gets. I do have an older model, a Selmer 33, so it’s a little less complicated then the newer modes. He tells me that the all the newer bass clarinets he gets to work on are more difficult to regulate then the older models, but not impossible. The last time I tried a Yamaha, ten years ago, I didn't like it, sound, feel. intonation. ESP
www.peabody.jhu.edu/457 (Listen to a little Mozart, live recording, on a Buffet A clarinet, not a bass)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DAVE
Date: 2008-07-14 20:27
Thanks for the responses.
Ed who repairs your horn?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-07-15 02:41
I use a tech named Roger Young, he's just outside of Annapolis MD. He does all my clarinets because he does a great job. He overhauled my bass about six years ago and it still plays great. Of course I do have small adjustments every year as needed but nothing major. If you want more info on him contact me via e-mail, which you can find on my Peabody web page. ESP
www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sbrodt54
Date: 2008-07-15 14:18
Dave,
It's possible that you don't have a dealer close to you that stocks the Yamaha bass clarinets but you need to keep looking. They play very well, the intonation, feel and tone are all terrific. Please check their website for the "store locator" and it will give you a list of stores close to you.
Yamaha has always been very nice to their dealers as well; they might be able to get in a low C bass on trial. With the economy in the dumpster right now it's tough to stock low C bass clarinets in any large quantities but it's worth the attempt.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
