 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Martin J
Date: 2013-07-02 06:50
Hi everybody...this is my first time on the board so apologies in advance for the novice in here!!
At the minute my daughter plays e13 Bb and her orchestra have a need for clarinet bass player. I'm looking at purchasing a Louis Bass Clarinet.....does anybody know anything about them and typical cost for one, just so i know I'm getting a fair deal.
Thanks in advance
Martin
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2013-07-02 07:22
hmmm...I've never heard of this brand. ![[huh]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie11.gif)
What kind/type/level of orchestra is this?
Would their repertoire require an instrument that goes down to low C, or would a (more common, less expensive) "Low Eb" instrument suffice?
--
Ben
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Martin J
Date: 2013-07-02 07:32
Hi Ben
To be honest she's the musician in the family...low c etc don't mean a lot to me. I just know what sounds right when she plays
From a bit of online research the only Louis that comes up is that based in Chelsea who made clarinets i think up to about 1940. Apparently they are quite desirable.
I suppose the new instrument is down to me wanting her to try different angles and keep the interest going. She's 11 (grade 6), plays sax (grade 4) but i can just sense she is getting a bit bored with orchestra.
Thanks
Martin
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2013-07-02 07:49
Martin,
Hmm, eleven and bass clarinet - that can be a challenge. Bass requires plenty of air (lung volume) and grown-up limbs. If her arms are too short, she'll have a very hard time reaching the right-hand keys. The distance from mouthpiece to right-hand keys is roughly 60 cm or 24".
In other words, she should be able to reach into the bell of her Bb clarinet with her right hand while playing.
Before you go and buy such a beast (of whatever maker), see if a music store nearby has a bass clarinet so she can try whether it physically fits her at all.
--
Ben
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-07-02 08:22
If this is a new Louis clarinet I know nothing about it, but if it's an instrument from the 1920's-1930's then it could be quite good. Louis & Co became part of Howarth, which still makes oboes and (I think) bassoons. I have recently bought a Louis & Co clarinet made around 1925 and it's a very good instrument indeed. I've never seen a bass clarinet from them, but if it's anything like their Bb then it would be worth a look. What sort of price are you looking at? I looked at a Bb in Sydney for which the asking price was $600 Australian and there's one in Canada for $1000 Canadian. The Sydney one was in rubbish condition and the Canadian one looks excellent.
Tony F.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Martin J
Date: 2013-07-02 08:36
Hi Tony....thanks for the heads up. I think I have seen your response previously about the Bb you had seen in Australia....shame.
The clarinet is being sold to me as favour for £200 by a friend, so far I have only seen pictures. It looks in great condition. The reason I think it's an older one is because of the case....it looks well well worn and a typical 1930's look. I could be totally wrong
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Martin J
Date: 2013-07-02 08:37
Hi Tony....thanks for the heads up. I think I have seen your response previously about the Bb you had seen in Australia....shame.
The clarinet is being sold to me as favour for £200 by a friend, so far I have only seen pictures. It looks in great condition. The reason I think it's an older one is because of the case....it looks well well worn and a typical 1930's look. I could be totally wrong.
I've attached a picture for a quick look.
Again...appreciated
Martin
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-07-02 09:31
Hi Martin,
The pic didn't come through, but at that price it it's in reasonable mechanical condition with no major cracks Then, speaking for myself, I'd go for it. Take into account that it may need some work and factor that in against the price of a more recent instrument. If you can, get your hands on it and check it out up close and personal. The Bb I bought is in excellent condition and cost me 100 Pounds sterling plus shipping. To me, a bargain.
Tony F.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-07-02 10:25
Be aware the name Louis was bought by B&H after the Louis company ceased to be and after that the name Louis was being stamped on instruments made by Malerne and others.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Martin J
Date: 2013-07-02 10:27
Hi Tony
I've been enjoying reading up on buffets and B & H and now Louis over the last 12 months and got myself a good local restorer.....it's a nice little hobby.
Your not joking when you said you paid a £100, bargain of the year.
Thanks again
Martin
p.s. don't suppose you'll give your secret away as to where you look for your instruments
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Martin J
Date: 2013-07-02 10:39
Thanks Chris....I'll keep that in kind. Just need to now know how to distinguish between the different Louis's.
Martin
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-07-02 11:57
Genuine Louis instruments will say something like Louis & Co. Makers London on them all in straigth lines. Stencil instruments will just have the name Louis often forming an arc and a model name/number under that such as Artist or LM5 on oboes) and may carry the name Rudall-Carte as well.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2013-07-02 12:44)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2013-07-02 13:35
If it's a modern instrument it's probably Chinese. Brand name means nothing. Is it made of plastic or hard rubber? Does it look like a copy of a Yamaha?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-07-02 15:56
Martin
p.s. don't suppose you'll give your secret away as to where you look for your instruments
Hi Martin,
No real secret. I just keep an eye on EBay worldwide and a couple other auction sites, keep my ear to the ground and bargain ruthlessly when I find something interesting in country antique stores. Bought some nice stuff there.
I subsidize new purchases with the sale of restored instruments. I particularly look for good Albert system instruments, as I have no trouble selling these to jazz players. Keeps me out of trouble. My wife asks how many clarinets I need. I tell her I don't know, I haven't got there yet.
Tony F.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-07-02 16:20
Any playable bass clarinet for £200 is an amazing bargain. A good mouthpiece (such as one from Walter Grabner) will make it play MUCH better, even though the mouthpiece will cost more than the instrument.
Put up pix if you're able, or even a link to the completed auction page. (GBK, please let it through just this once. The sale is over, so it's history, not a real eBay listing. If you feel unable, please clip the photos and post them here or elsewhere.)
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2013-07-02 16:40
[ Links and/or references to completed auctions are perfectly fine - GBK ]
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Martin J
Date: 2013-07-04 12:46
Hi Ken
Thanks for the tip on the mouth piece...appreciated....i'll keep an eye out for one.
Martin
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bill Patry
Date: 2013-07-10 02:08
Attachment: Margalit Contra Alto Clarinet.jpg (313k)
Attachment: MPM Bass.jpg (141k)
My daughter is 11 and has been playing bass for almost a year, and not just diddling around: she played bass (and Eb and A) in her youth orchestra's performance of Mahler 1, which they also performed at Tanglewood. (The other kids are 17 and 18). She has no problem getting around the instrument and has a very rich, big sound. She even plays contralto clarinet. (Pictures attached) So, my view is, if they want to play, and can physically reach the keys, give them all the help you can.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Martin J
Date: 2013-07-10 17:56
Thanks Bill....it's nice to hear it. I'm sure she will settle into it.
Regards Martin
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
