 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Riley-NZL
Date: 2016-04-06 01:54
Hi,
I used to play the Bb clarinet throughout high school, but after leaving high school, stopped playing, and sold my clarinet and all my books music set (all the regrets, I loved my old instrument, and haven't seen anything like it since).
I've decided after 6-7 years of not playing, that I really want ot get back into it, and would like to give the Bass Clarinet ago, so off to some websites I went and nearly had an heart attack. $15k? after a bit more digging I found some slightly more reasonable student models, at around $5k ($3.5K USD) which although pricey, is not completely outside my limits.
Unfortunately, due to living in New Zealand, I don't have much choice in instruments, currently I've found two student models available:
Yahama YCL 221 (not listed weather it is i or ii) for $5500 ($3500 USD)
or
Selmar 1430LP $4395 ($3000USD)
A bit of Googling shows the Yahama is good for low end Bass Clarinet, but I can't find much on the Selmer?
Is there any must have or must replace parts on these, ie do I need to run out and buy a new mouthpiece?
In the meantime, a friend has lent me an old unused Bb Clarinet, so off to buy some reeds this afternoon. Speaking of which, the online store I sued to buy all my accessories from seems to have closed down (1stopclarinetandsaxshop), any suggestions for another good online store to look at?
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2016-04-06 02:33
You will definitely be helped by a new mouthpiece. Those that come with student-level instruments, even when new, are mediocre. If you get a used bass, which mostly come from schools, the mouthpiece will be battered beyond usefulness. Save up and get a Grabner or Fobes. You pay for it once but use it the rest of your life.
The bass clarinet mechanism is more finicky than the soprano, particularly if it has an automatic double register key (which changes the register vent between clarion Eb and E). Even if the instrument is new, take it to a good repair shop to make sure the pads are tight and everything is operating OK.
Handle the bass like a very small and vulnerable baby. Pick it up and put it down gently, preferably on a folded blanket. A single bonk of the bell on the floor can throw everything off.
Compared with soprano, the bass works best with relatively soft reeds.
Good luck.
Ken Shaw
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2016-04-06 02:41
Congratulations on finding your way back into the wonderful world of clarinet-ing!
A Yamaha 221ii bass clarinet is a great instrument to start back up on. Aside from the fact that they tend to be on the sharp side, they are quite decent instruments. Most people will likely tell you to upgrade to a better mouthpiece than the stock Yamaha 4C. I would recommend the Fobes Debut bass clarinet mouthpiece, which is an excellent student mouthpiece. If you shop around you can find a new one for under 50 USD. Other than that you should be set. Best of luck getting your new instrument.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Riley-NZL
Date: 2016-04-06 11:18
Thanks for the replies, I've been hunting around on the internet trying to see if I would be better buying from overseas, and stumbled accross these:
Lyruque RCP-925e - http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/925e-bass-clarinet.html
Seems very well priced at $2100USD, and found couple god review, does anyone know how they compare with Selma/Yahama models mentioned above?
Even with shipping and import taxes I'm guessing one of these would work out about $4-4.5k NZD (~3K USD)
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2016-04-06 18:12
Try searching for some previous Bass Clarinet discussions on this site. I remember seeing some good ones but sometimes they do not pop up in a search. Worth trying though.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: BflatNH
Date: 2016-04-06 20:07
What kind of music will you play? Consider the extended range (e.g.925c) as it will allow you to play Bassoon & Cello parts (transposing of course) in chamber groups and some interesting classical and modern pieces. Also budget for a good mouthpiece (e.g. Grabner LB). Check this bboard for discussions on these.
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Author: Riley-NZL
Date: 2016-04-07 02:16
Hi, thank you for the links, I tried the search feature, but these forums seem to be using quite antiquated software, and it simply returned me every single reply within one post as separate search results, making it very hard to find one post from another.
As for the kind of music I play, probably mix of new and classic orchestra and solo pieces. When I get up to scratch, I'm hoping to find an local Concert band or similar.
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2016-04-07 04:01
Riley -
Tom Ridenour is probably the top clarinet acoustician making clarinets today. His clarinets are getting rave reviews, seems you found his website, listen to Les Craven's reviews and demonstrations. His Basses are the best value in the market. His commitment to quality is also unmatched. He has distributors in Australia, not exactly around the corner, but closer than the USA.
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2016-04-07 09:57
When you search, you can check the box to only get one post from each thread, so you don't have that issue.
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2016-04-07 17:27
Take a look at the Kessler low C. I'm really enjoying mine.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: DougR
Date: 2016-04-07 18:42
Re: the Lyrique 925 bass: here's a good review of the horn, spelling out some of the weak spots as well as the strengths. (the site overall is a wonderfully curated and opinionated trove of instrument porn; lovely pictures and embedded video too.)
http://woodwindwonderland.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-ridenour-lyrique-925-hard-rubber.html
Frankly, for the money, you could get a low-Eb student model; OR a full-featured low-C instrument with a couple of shortcomings (chiefly key heights on the R thumb keys and that left-hand lever that's so stiffly linked up that it's pretty much unusable--and again, Tom might have fixed both of those things by now).
(Also, it comes with a Ridenour bass mouthpiece that sounds just about perfect on the instrument, which obviates the "which mouthpiece should I use" question.)
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