 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bluesparkle
Date: 2009-09-30 19:09
Just got my "new" old Evette Schaeffer bass. Hard rubber, serial number 54XX. I can get a few notes out of it, but as I expected, it needs an overhaul, so I took it to my tech today.
He says the keys look to be in good shape, and that it has a lot of nice features (like a LH Ab/Eb key), so I was glad to hear that. The neck and bell are also in good condition. He's going to accomplish an all new pad job, some key cork work, and a good cleaning...really, an overhaul, so it's in great playing shape when he's done.
He suggested that the original neck, which positions the mouthpiece at about a 90 degree angle from the clarinet itself, could be cut, bent, and soldered so that it is closer to a 45 degree angle. He said it wouldn't be pretty, but that, in his opinion, the new mouthpiece angle would feel much more natural to play.
I told him to do it, as getting the angle of this instrument right has been a struggle for me. In some respects, I feel like it would be easier for me to stand up and play this beast, riding it like a broomstick rather than sitting in a chair.
Two questions...is altering the neck like this okay? and...based on the serial number, anyone have any good idea about how old it is?
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-09-30 19:38
From personal experience, I'd say - be cautious. Not that a 45° angle is bad, but in practice it'd shorten your arms by about two or three inches. That may be within our outside of your comfort zone of the right hand's reach - you'll have to try this out. I got a sore wrist after a 2hr rehearsal.
I reverted back to the 'shallow' (~20°) angle and tilt the bass a bit forward like a tenor sax.
Wait with the neck till the rest is done. If you feel you're cramping your own neck, you can still have it - cautiously - re-angled. I'd feel that a 30..35° angle would be a good compromise, but that would have to be determined by the individual player.
Another idea would be to take a cheap mouthpiece (say a Yamaha 4C) and saw a small wedge out opposite of the table, then re-glue the parts together. (or cut it somewhat diagonally, then re-glue the parts 180° twisted). You'd have a mouthpiece providing an additional angle and could try it without a "hard" intervention at the neck level.
--
Ben
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Author: USFBassClarinet
Date: 2009-10-01 02:27
I actually never minded the "straight neck" and would second the opinion of wait til everything else is done then try it again. You can always decide to do it later, but if he chops it up it might not go back as easily. A second thought, if you are part of the Yahoo bass clarinet group, a member on there posted very specific instruments and pictures as to how he adjusted the neck on his bass clarinet. Might be worth you checking it out.
I actually played on a substitute bass today as mine was in the shop. It was a straight necked old selmer 33? I think. it actually played very well, what actually felt awkward was the placement of the fingers.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-10-02 00:50
I might be the person who (some years ago!) posted some instructions and sketches on how to re-angle a neck. But maybe it was someone else. Anyway, this is a job I perform frequently. I believe 45 degrees is too sharp an angle for most players; I tend to agree with Ben that something in the 20-35 degree range is comfortable for most players.
By the way, your Evette-Schaeffer bass clarinet is a stencil made by Malerne; who also made it (in both wood and hard rubber versions) under their own name as well as a dozen or more 'stencil' brands (including, but not limited to, Conn, King, Olds, Marigaux, Linton, York, Boosey & Hawkes, and a few others I can't remember). The design does include an absurdly horizontal neck, unfortunately.
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Author: lrooff
Date: 2009-10-03 14:43
David Spiegelthal wrote:
> By the way, your Evette-Schaeffer bass clarinet is a stencil
> made by Malerne; who also made it (in both wood and hard rubber
> versions) under their own name as well as a dozen or more
> 'stencil' brands (including, but not limited to, Conn, King,
> Olds, Marigaux, Linton, York, Boosey & Hawkes, and a few others
> I can't remember). The design does include an absurdly
> horizontal neck, unfortunately.
I"ve got one of those Malernes, and I must agree with you about the neck design. It's the reason that I'm going to end up selling an otherwise perfecly good bass clarinet and getting something else. Aside from the awkward angle of the mouthpiece, it also puts the top of the instrument in the way of the sheet music.
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