 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Riley-NZL
Date: 2016-05-07 05:53
Hi guys,
I got my hands on my first Bass Clarinet, $100 NZD (~$70USD) to rent it for the whole year! The place also has very cheap lessons, and orchastra groups etc.
It seems to work well enough, bar a very bent key at the bottom. It's pretty dirty and smelly, and I'm guessing was just put away as is several years ago after the last person used it.
Is there anything I should before using it? I gave the mouthpiece a quick soak in diluted white vinegar. Is silver cleaner ok to clean the keys with?
I have no idea what model it is, other then it is an Selmer, but here is:
And the broken key. any chance I could just bend this back, or should it be going to an repairer?
And lastly, the mouthpeice looks pretty shocking, any suggestions for an beginner mouthpiece? Looking around my country, Yamaha and Vandorean seem to be the only brands available.
Post Edited (2016-05-07 06:00)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-05-07 06:28
It's a Selmer USA bass - same as the older Bundy models. They're a fairly typical beginner plastic model bass.
Don't use any polish on the keys on any clarinet - just use a polishing cloth or an old T-shirt to wipe them over with.
As for the bent key, you need to get that sorted as you won't get anything below low F and will lose the upper register B, so take it to a repairer to have them bend it back and regulate it.
A Yamaha mouthpiece will be fine for a beginner, but a Vandoren one will last you much longer.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Riley-NZL
Date: 2016-05-09 14:25
Thanks Chris, spent the weekend trying to get some notes out of, quite a few leaky pads, nothing a bit of tactical papper can't fix:
Very much need to get this off to be repaired, the place I've hired it from's usual repairer has recently retired so they are looking into other options. Everything below Middle C is nearly impossible to play due to the top of the two pads B below middle C, presses down not sealing, as well as the A above middle C, and G below middle C also.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-05-09 14:48
Just so you know - there's meant to be a tiny bit of play between the throat A and G# keys which is adjusted with the adjusting screw on the G# key. If there's no play at all, you run the risk of the G# pad being held open very slightly, but still enough to stop the entire instrument playing.
So check there's some play by slowly pressing the throat A key and feeling for when it makes contact with the adjusting screw tip and then starts to lift the G# key.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2016-05-09 18:28
Riley,
Help me understand how this music store can rent you an instrument that does not play very well and you are supposed to pay for the repairs to get it to work properly. Also, if you are just beginning to play the bass, you need an instrument that is not going to make the job more challenging.
I think you are getting a very bad deal here.
HRL
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Author: Riley-NZL
Date: 2016-05-09 23:52
Hi Chris,
I think the spring on the A is broken, as it has some resistance, but the whole key vibrates on the hole, more and more as I player lower notes. Essentially I the paper is allowing the g# spring to hole both keys down (not ideal).
- Hi Hank, I can see your point, however it's a community orchestra and teaching group that also just happens to rent out the instruments as well, rather then an store.
They are going to be paying for the repairs, but asked me to take it home and see what was wrong with it first (I'm assuming they have no one else playing bass clarinet). I think they had a local repairman who did them very good prices for repairs due to being a non-profit organisation, but he has retired so they are trying to find another repair-person.
Either way, It cost me less to hire it for the entire year then anywhere else charges for a single month so I'm pretty happy with this until I can afford to buy something of my own. (Hopefully an Lyrique 925e or Yamaha YCL221)
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2016-05-10 05:02
Hi Riley,
Thanks. That makes sense now.
From the looks of the instrument, it would seem that there are some bent keys, a few missing corks, a broken spring, and adjustments to make so the instrument is playable; these are typically minor but necessary repairs. The Selmer USA is a standard and very satisfactory student-grade instrument and once adjusted should give you good service.
Your choice of the Ridenour 925e as a future bass is a good one. Search for some threads on this instrument as well as the Yamaha 221II.
HRL
Post Edited (2016-05-10 14:53)
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Author: donald
Date: 2016-05-10 08:59
Take it to Maurice Reviol- google him. His workshop is out west, in the Waitakeres, but he often comes in to town for pick ups etc Avoid Dr Toot at all cost (on the off chance you live out in East Auckland). dn
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2016-05-10 09:43
I can recommend Gordon Palmer for repairs in Auckland. I have no idea about different areas in Auckland so don't know if he is close to you or not.
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Author: Riley-NZL
Date: 2016-05-10 12:42
Hi Donald, I'm down in Dunedin but will likely have to send it to Christchuch or Auckland. Thanks for the tip about Dr. Hoot
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