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mouthpiece and reeds for the old Uebel bass clarinet

Author: unavox
Date: 2015-12-20 12:25

I would like to ask a question about the old Uebel bass clarinet donated to our music school in Wroclaw, Poland. The instrument is in very good condition, probably it was played very little. Unfortunately the mouthpiece is missing and we are now in the search of the appropriate one with the tenon about 25 mm in width (the socket is a little narrower as 26 mm, the crook bore measured at the mouthpiece about 19,8) I would be very grateful for a hint which mouthpiece (and reeds) to buy.

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Re: mouthpiece and reeds for the old Uebel bass clarinet

Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-12-20 15:06

Have you contacted Uebel themselves as they are still in business and make both German and Boehm system basses.

Or also contact any German woodwind specialists as they should be able to supply a German style bass mouthpiece and suitable reeds. Let them know the internal diameter and depth of the socket to be sure they have a mouthpiece that will fit well.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

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Re: mouthpiece and reeds for the old Uebel bass clarinet

Author: Mike Blinn
Date: 2015-12-20 20:42

I suggest you contact David Spiegelthal, a frequent member of this board. A few years back, I needed a bass clarinet mouthpiece to replace my crystal Pomarico which fell while being cleaned. Dave immediately sent me two he had rebuilt, and both played better than the Pomarico. Price was reasonable. I have been using David's mouthpiece through many concerts since then.

I'm sure David can make a mouthpiece to your special need.

Mike Blinn

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Re: mouthpiece and reeds for the old Uebel bass clarinet

Author: MichaelW
Date: 2015-12-20 20:56

Or ask Herr Zinner: http://www.hans-zinner.de/html/bassklarinette.html .

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Re: mouthpiece and reeds for the old Uebel bass clarinet

Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2015-12-22 00:13

I have two East Germany-era F. Arthur Uebel bass clarinets, one is Oehler-system and the other Boehm, both have the narrow 19.8mm (.780") bore. I have several mouthpieces manufactured for this type of instrument by Uebel, Zinner and Hammerschmidt, and a few I've adapted (with considerable effort!) from Boehm-system alto and bass clarinet mouthpieces and even a tenor sax mouthpiece.

I have found it a real struggle to get the sound I'm looking for on these instruments with any mouthpiece. Maybe it's my own lack of ability, or perhaps there's good reason that even German players have for the most part switched to Boehm-system bass clarinets, but I've yet to get the deep, hollow "organ-like" sound from the narrow-bore basses with any of these mouthpieces. I really enjoy playing these instruments in smaller groups (chamber and clarinet ensembles) but I just can't get the big sound and projection needed for playing with full orchestras. To my ear they sound thin and reedy in large halls.

That said, I'd be happy to send a few mouthpieces out to try. Maybe someone out there can do better with them.

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