Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-07-10 08:18
Re the Wolf peg, Buffet bass clarinets now come with an improved version of this, without the small screws at the bottom which keep opening (or you could use thread locker if you want). I use this peg and I like it a lot but wouldn't say it's a huge difference between this and a regular rubber tip. One idea someone told me is to glue a kid's super bouncy ball, it is basically the same as the Wolf peg.
About the bass clarinets, re low C vs. low Eb, that is never a real comparison unless for a specific player. For example unlike David, I remember very few concerts where I didn't use at least some of the lower notes, usually all the way down to the C. So whether you want a low C or a low Eb, you have to decide.
For the price you have the Yamaha 221 is a good choice IMO for a new instrument. It's definitely much better than all other student models I've tried like Bundy (aka Selmer USA, aka Conn/Selmer), Vito, Noblet, Jupiter.
No old professional Leblanc I've tried was overall better than a Yamaha 221, though they did have a better tone for some of the range (but also less consistent tone and response). But you can probably get one of these used plus necessary repairs for your price.
Another option is a low Eb pro model Selmer Paris or Buffet. These are sometimes avaialble for your price, but definitely need to check condition and how much repair is needed. I like these better than Yamaha 221 for tone and response though they can sometimes have a few iffy notes. The mechanics are not nearly as good as the new models but they sound very good. If I was you, this would probably be my first choice if I found something like this, followed the the Yamaha 221 as second best option.
Re the Chinese low C models, I've tried several sold by different Chinese companies. Some of those claimed to make it themselves. Although the instruments were all nearly identical, it's possible they are made by more than one factory (hard to say for sure). It's a pretty safe guess that these are the ones made for Kessler, Ridenour and the many others who sell them. I found the same consistent problems with all of the ones I've tried so overall I didn't like them. Mostly mechanical and ergonomic problems but also with tone, response, etc.
If you buy an instrument like this best if you can try first or at least return it. I would be careful of a recommendation from someone who even admits they haven't tried the instrument they are recommending. In fact it's tricker than that. I have one instrument with many problems and IMO serious flaws, yet almost none of them was mentioned in many reviews on this forum. So really you should try before buying, actually for any instrumnt you buy.
Good luck.
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