 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bass-obsessed
Date: 2010-01-14 22:01
I'm trying to find a new bass clarinet cause I'm tired of using a school owned. I've been looking at basses on ebay but I'm not sure which brand is best. I've narrowed it down to four.
LeBlanc PARIS wood Bass Clarinet NR, Selmer (USA) Bb Bass Clarinet, Noblet (Paris) Bb Bass Clarinet, Grenadilla Wood Body, and Accent "First Chair" Bass Clarinet BC570E- Used w/Case
bass-obsessed
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Author: davidsampson
Date: 2010-01-14 22:04
If it is in good condition, I would definitely suggest the Leblanc Paris. You should play it first to see, and get it checked by a good tech before buying. The Noblet is also probably a good horn depending on its condition. The selmer USA's are durable and have a pretty good reputation so its probably more likely to be in good condition than the two previous horns. I would stay away from the Accent. What is your budget?
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Author: bass-obsessed
Date: 2010-01-14 22:07
I'm not quite sure what my budget is because my parents won't tell but I know for a fact I can't afford to buy one from the stores.
bass-obsessed
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-01-15 03:00
I hav en't tried a Noblet but I assume it's not better than Leblanc. I haven't tried an Accent but assume it's either Chinese or maybe the same as a Vito. Personally I would prefer a Yamaha 221II student model over any of those.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-01-15 13:56
I saw that Walter Grabner had a restored Leblanc Low Eb on his site. Might want to check that one out. If that's too much money, check out new basses from Tom Ridenour's site. If the quality and value are anywhere near his sopranos, you will get a great deal.
Jeff
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2010-01-15 15:09
Hi,
I have an older Reynolds Emperor (aka Vito) that I got for very little money, had repadded, and then got my tech Eric Satterlee to tweak it. It plays great and I use it for shows, wind ensemble, and chamber work. The intonation is above average. I use a LeBlanc B-8 MP and with #3 reeds and a Harrison ligature, and have no need for much else.
As a former HIS band director, I know that school instruments are usually poorly maintained and that in and of itself is probably your biggest problem. If have your own BC, no matter what age, I'd bet if you get it adjusted and are careful with it you will be much more pleased.
I have considered getting a new instrument (and can afford about whatever I need) but my standmate in one wind ensemble has teh new Yamaha 221II and it is really nice. However, the intonation on my BC is vastly superior due to Eric's work.
Don't fall into the trap of believing that a new instrument will solve all your issues. Just having an instrument in perfect adjustment can make a world of difference. As a doubler and active professional, I never skimp on repairs.
HRL
PS I hope you are not using a BC for marching band. I could never figure that one out.
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Author: ebonite
Date: 2010-01-16 00:05
Hi,
I once owned a Noblet bass. It had very well made and sturdy keywork, but it had two problems:
1. The clarion register lacked response at the low and high ends (around mid-staff B and also around above-staff B and C)
2. The instrument was generally sharp relative to A=440. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, because you can pull out the neck, but the neck on the Noblet has a cork tenon, and I found that if I pulled it out far enough to correct the tuning, it became wobbly and unstable in the socket. Also, in hot weather, I had to pull it out so much that the throat notes became flat and had to be vented (and the neck was very wobbly).
I suspect that the problem with the clarion response might be linked to the single-register key design, but perhaps it was just a peculiarity of the instrument that I had. In any case, I think you should do a very careful play-test if you are considering this brand. Play it until it is completely warmed up, and then check the tuning.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-01-16 17:08
I believe one of the regular contributors here has a classified ad on this board right now regarding a bass clarinet. You might contact him directly about specifics regarding the instrument and its price. He is a trusted purveyor and restorer of older instruments.
Here's the ad: http://test.woodwind.org/Classifieds/detail.html?cat=53&de=3463
Mark or GBK.... if I just violated policy, please feel free to delete and accept my apologies.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2010-01-16 17:09)
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Author: kenabbott
Date: 2010-01-16 22:17
I have a LeBlanc I've been quite happy with. If you don't need low C (which will cost you 6000 -8000), you'd probably be quite happy with one. Think 1000-1500.
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Author: fruitbat
Date: 2010-01-17 18:44
Selmer Paris and Buffet Crampon Prestige are the only big bore horns that I really like. Leblanc has weak mechanics, Yamaha sound is not so nice, all the plastic horns are really terrible. Selmer and Buffet are expensive but they'll last for the next 100 years. Small bore horns like Wurlitzer are certainly the best to play classic music but not really cheap...
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-01-17 18:53
> all the plastic horns are really terrible
Not in my experience.
--
Ben
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Author: fruitbat
Date: 2010-01-17 21:26
All plastic bcl have single-register-vent system. I'm unable to play upper register without 2nd vent.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-01-17 21:32
At least one non-wood bass has a dfouble register vent--The Ridenour basses have this feature. Not plastic, but hard rubber.
Jeff
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Author: USFBassClarinet
Date: 2010-01-17 21:44
The double vent system does not disable one from playing Upper Register. It simply fixes some intonation issues and makes some notes easier to play. I can play just as high on a vito plastic bass as I can my wooden selmer.
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Author: fruitbat
Date: 2010-01-17 22:19
It's possible to play with no 2nd register vent. But not very nice and comfortable. Anyway I can't.
Some small bore bcl even have 3 vents for good reason.
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Author: fruitbat
Date: 2010-01-18 12:05
Why should I check embouchure and air support? I've been playing on a Selmer Privilege for the last 15 years very well. Now I use a Fritz Wurlitzer with half-automatic register-vent-system. This instrument has perfect intonation, response and a wonderful sound in chalumeau and clarion.
All large bore instruments I played have a more or less spread sound in the upper clarion. A Crystal mouthpiece can help to improve that to a certain degree. I could not imagine to struggle additionally to the sound problems with weak intonation and bad response.
As I said the Herbert Wurlitzer bcl has 3 register vents. Guess why?
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-01-18 13:42
Well, you said that "all the plastic horns are really terrible" which simply is not true.
So I presumed it was either the setup of that particular instruments, or your side of the equation.
--
Ben
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2010-01-18 17:29
I did a show recently on a pro model Yamaha and was really impressed. The feel and sound are excellent . Intonation not an issue.
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Author: USFBassClarinet
Date: 2010-01-18 18:12
I am surprised at that D Dow. (not that I don't believe it). Every yamaha pro bass I have played has had major intonation issues. Some were to the point that the Low E, Middle B, were just unplayable with an ensemble being around the 30 cents area off. I do like the sound and response on them though.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-01-18 21:15
I was told by a fellow player (after I bought my Buffet bass) the Yamaha bass had the most uniform sound over the range of the four big name basses - but I'm more than happy with my Buffet so I'll stick with it.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: fruitbat
Date: 2010-01-19 06:21
I don't like the Yamaha sound, neither Bb nor bass clarinet. But I tested a few instruments only. None of them had serious intonation problems.
Post Edited (2010-01-19 06:25)
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Author: fruitbat
Date: 2010-01-19 06:25
www.museum-markneukirchen.de/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1030&p=3366&hilit=bassklarinette#p3366
Does somebody know this metal instrument? Build by G.R.Uebel in 1961. I have one and really like it. Nice sound but really strong blow resistance (17mm bore).
Post Edited (2010-01-19 06:28)
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The Clarinet Pages
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![[C6]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/c6.gif)
, the rest pops out just fine. FWIW I've had just one single occurrence of that note in this winter's repertoire, in the same piece that wanted a low Eb...the rest limited itself to the ![[E3]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/e3.gif)
through ![[A5]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/a5.gif)
range.