 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2017-05-21 18:32
Hi All,
As I continue my hunt for a Model 35 or 65 to serve as an upgrade for my Model 32, if I should encounter tuning issues on one of these instrument, who does voicing work on bass clarinets? I am making the assumption that originally, such instruments as these Selmer basses came from the factory with outstanding intonation.
IMHO, a good tech may be able to provide perfect repair work but when it comes to making any adjustments in key height, tone hole work, etc. he or she may come up short knowing what to do. There certainly must be some bass voicing experts out there somewhere. Any suggestions are appreciated.
HRL
Post Edited (2017-05-22 07:22)
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2017-05-21 19:00
Hank says
<<I am making the assumption that originally, such instruments as these Selmer basses came from the factory with outstanding intonation.>>
ummmmmmm........maybe not so (and I don't mean just Selmer)?
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
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Author: CEC
Date: 2017-05-22 17:03
Wes Rice does expert voicing and tuning work. I highly recommend him:
http://www.clarinet-repairs.com/
The only Selmer basses that had unusual tuning problems were the first shipments of the 35 and 37 to the US. They were mistakenly sent out with European pitch necks.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2017-05-24 17:44
I've been using my Selmer Model 32 all my 50 year playing career, 48 of them anyway. I've never needed any notes "voiced" but i did have my repair man put cork around several of the tone holes on the bottom joint in order to lower the pitch of the break B, C and C# many many years ago. By voicing I mean I never needed any tone holes scraped or changed other than tape or cork. I may have had some keys raised or lowered, i can't really remember. Though I'm sure I've never played "perfectly" in tune I've been known to have good intonation though my 50 year career in the BSO. I used to have a wonderful repair person my last 25 years or so but he's retired now.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2017-05-25 00:49
EP,
That's great to know that you have had such good luck with your Model 32; I, too, am sure that I have never played "perfectly" in tune. At least I've never heard any complaints from the principal bassoon who sits right next to me or from the conductor who is a stickler.
However, you have hit on the necessity to "voice" a note from time to time with pad height adjustments and/or tape or cork inserts. But finding a tech who is adept at this work is difficult. Compounding the problem in me finding a good used 35 or 65 is the fact that in some cases, re-padding or overhaul work on instruments I have trialed has been dramatically altered from what was probably excellent intonation originally.
Thanks for your insights.
HRL
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