 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kontra
Date: 2010-02-04 02:38
Companies such as Pedler, Artley, Braude, Vento, Linton, Conn, Kohlert, Evette, Wisemann, Kessler, Ridenour, Schwenk and Seggelke, and any others I forgot. Have you had experience with any of these bass clarinet models? How did they play?
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-02-04 07:40
I play an Artley 38s Bass. It's a Bundy stencil that was finished at the Artley site.
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Ben
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2010-02-05 23:47
Some months ago, a ham radio chum let me play on his Ridenour Lyrique Bb, which was good, but not what I wanted. I have since got a new R13 Bb which will meet my needs better. Admittedly, change is hard after playing for 45 years on R13 Bb's. But my radio pal likes it, and after playing on it, I can sure see why.
I played a contra dance event a week ago, where the leader for some unknown reason invited two clarinets to play. On the bright side, this gave me the opportunity to compare my decade-old Stephen Fox C to the other guy's new Ridenour Lyrique C. It had required some adjustments, which is not surprising for any new instrument, but was in excellent playing condition.
The Lyrique C was very good. Its owner wouldn't switch instruments to perform on, which would have told me more. My feeling is that this C was in better adjustment than the Lyrique Bb mentioned above, which makes me re-think some things. My Fox C is still an excellent instrument, and I would buy one again, as it was the only thing that I found 10 years ago which was worth consideration. Still, the Lyrique is an incredible bargain which may meet the needs of a lot of professionals, at the price of a student clarinet.
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Author: Franklin Liao
Date: 2010-02-06 02:48
Hmm...
I actually kind of want to see an apples to apples comparison of Lyrique C with Forte C and Fox C come to think of it. Out of the C's, Forte is the most mentioned after all... Fox's instruments aren't mentioned all that much, even comparing to Patricola!
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Author: davetrow
Date: 2010-02-06 04:42
I would be very interested in anyone's experience with either the Kessler or Ridenour low-C bass clarinet--not so much the tone quality, as I assume anyone who plays one is fairly satisfied, but with the durability of the keywork. My local technician describes low-C basses--even high-end ones--as being "like an oboe times three" in terms of their tendency to get out of whack, due to the extra keywork and length of rods. What's your experience?
I ask because I recently started playing bass clarinet (a Selmer 9 to Eb that belongs to the local high school) in our community band and soon in a small clarinet trio/quartet, and am interested in eventually getting a low-C bass. I don't think I can afford one of the big-name low-C basses, even used.
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA
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Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 2010-02-06 22:56
I have tried the Kessler Low C. It is made in China of course. One of the lowest notes (C# I think) was sharp and the mechanism for the lowest notes isn't very good. I am waiting for the Chinese bass clarinets to improve before I even consider them.
On the other hand I got a Chinese made C clarinet from Arioso when Tom Ridenour was associated with them (he isn't any more) for about $1000. I have been happy with this instrument. The throat A and G# were sharp and I fixed that. However, a friend of mine recently bought a wooden Amati C clarinet from the WW&BW and it was only around $600 and made of wood. A much better deal and a nice instrument.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-02-06 23:55
> However, a friend of mine recently bought a wooden Amati C clarinet from
> the WW&BW and it was only around $600 and made of wood. A much
> better deal and a nice instrument.
For what it's worth, I have its plastic brethren (ACL-251) and I like it a lot. For some reason, it likes to be warmed-up before going serious, but after that it's a very dependent performer. For that price it's a steal.
--
Ben
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-02-07 04:14
I haven't tried a Kessler or Ridenour but I've tried a bunch of Chinese bass clarinets, both low Eb and low C, from the Chinese makers and/or distributers. I thought all of them had ergonomics problems, enough that I wouldn't want to play them regardless of anything else. Other than that, some had a decent tone and response, but not as good as the models from the major clarinet companies. Build quality and mechanical design were also not as good.
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Author: spage
Date: 2010-02-07 18:01
I have one of the plastic Amati 'C's too. As you say, for the price it's a steal. Up until around altissimo D its internal tuning is remarkably good. My only real problem with it so far is that I haven't yet been able to find a reliable alternative to the 'long' altissimo F and F#. How is yours around there?
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Author: RoBass
Date: 2010-02-09 06:33
For Schwenck & Seggelke please read some German or European boards about! That's one of the most innovative clarinet manufacturers in Europe and a well known developer of modern clarinets. Some additions to the lever mechanism they patented and established on various type of other clarinets (not only on their own products).
Please inspect theirs website too! It's worthy ;-)
kindly
Roman
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