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Re: A GOOD inexpensive bass clarinet?

Author: Mojo
Date: 2017-11-09 16:44

I have been playing a first gen Kessler low C for about 2.5 years. Was $2300. I thought it was good (well regulated) when I first got it. It gradually went out of adjustment then I had an accident at home that bent the body octave key. I bent it back but it was not closing correctly all the time. So I researched techs within a reasonable drive from me and took it to Mike Hammer near Bensalem, PA.

Mike said even new, he could put in 5+ hours adjusting the mechanism and fixing leaks. His Mag testing found two leaks in the neck. One in the tuning slide and one was a pin hole leak in a Weld. He replaced 4 pads. He changed how much the octave keys and the extended low notes opened. He took play out of the mechanism. He adjusted springs which I really notice in how the low notes spring back. They were sluggish before.

So after $500 worth of work, it plays better than it ever did. Fluid across the breaks. Very responsive.

So I think a good value is buying low cost low C bass clarinet that has potential and planning on having it set up by an expert tech. Either right away or after a year or two.

MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com

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