 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Wobby8288
Date: 2018-01-05 10:53
Attachment: bass 2.png (309k)
Attachment: bass 1.jpg (109k)
I recently began using a different bass clarinet from the one I have been using for the past two years, and there are some differences between the two instruments that have been causing me problems when playing.
The peg on my previous bass clarinet had a rubber ball thing on the end (sorry, can't describe it any better) which prevented it from slipping on wooden/slippery floors. However, the peg for my current bass does not have any rubber ball (only metal on the end) and it keeps slipping on wooden floors.
Due to differences in the angle of the two bass clarinet necks, with my current bass, I have to hold it in a position similar to a saxophone (not holding the bass straight up, but tilting the instrument down towards the floor - see first attached image). When holding it in this position, the floor peg slips (leaves the floor) very easily.
(Just to clarify, I had no problems with my previous bass clarinet because I was able to hold it upright because the angle of the neck was more suited for me - see second attached image. Also the rubber ball on the peg was helpful.)
Any tips for stabilising the peg on the ground will be greatly appreciated ^_^
Any other tips for adjusting to the difference in angle of the bass clarinet necks will also be very helpful. Thank you
P.S. I'm using a bass clarinet from school so I won't be able to make any drastic changes to anything :(
P.S.S My internet was playing up so this ended up posting several times... sorry
Post Edited (2018-01-05 10:56)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2018-01-05 12:21
Easiest: Get one of those rubber table leg covers (cost a few cents) and put it on the peg. You can get two in two sizes to make it larger. Or put some tape to make the peg thicker to hold it.
Not as easy but still pretty easy: Get a rubber ball (e.g. a super bouncy ball), drill it the correct size and stick it on the peg end.
Try using a strap (in addition to the peg) to help with how you need to hold the instrument with the flatter neck angle.
Post Edited (2018-01-05 12:23)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2018-01-05 18:46
Buffet use the Wolf Super End Pin on their basses which has excellent non-slip properties on polished wooden floors.
The same properties as found in the super bouncy rubber ball (as previously mentioned) you can get in any decent toy shop - drill part way into it with a 7mm drill (the most common diameter of bass floor spikes) and fit that onto the floor spike and you're good to go.
And far less expensive than the Wolf.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2018-01-05 22:14
A wad of Sugru might work.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: davyd
Date: 2018-01-05 22:23
A cello rock stop would also work, though since it's not attached, it has a tendency to get lost.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2018-01-06 00:28
There is a nice carbon fiber bass peg with a rubber tip on eBay for less than $20. I got one as a backup and it is quite nice. At the same time, I also use a neck strap (an extra long one by Neotech for~$25). If you get one of these, be sure to order one with a snap hook for added security. BTW, the strap has a very comfortable neck cushion.
However, I have found that using both a peg and neck strap at the time gives me an anchor-solid instrument with the four points of contact (peg, strap, thumb, and embouchure). My fingers are very free to do their work.
HRL
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Author: Wobby8288
Date: 2018-01-06 00:49
Thanks for your suggestions - I have the Neotech strap you're talking about (with the snap hook too). Just one thing - the hook for the strap is on the upper joint of the instrument, so when I stand up to play, I essentially have to tighten the strap so much it's basically a noose around my neck. I'm considering not using the strap to hold the instrument when I stand up to play, but putting the instrument on a chair and somehow doing that... do you recommend doing this?
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2018-01-06 01:02
I used a rubber table leg protecter many years ago, never had a problem, never had to change it. They come in diffeent sizes and are cheap. Problem solved.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: oian
Date: 2018-01-06 03:38
Does the tip on your current peg unscrew? if it does, go to your local "Dollar/99cent store and get a small ball rubber(superball) and drill it part way through with a smaller bit than the peg diameter and screw it on. It may be a silly looking ball, but they work just fine.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2018-01-06 07:14
Wobby,
Not knowing what kind of thumb rest your bass has makes it difficult to answer your question accurately. More importantly, when do you have to play the bass standing up? Above, you talked about the position of the bass while seated. I'm not following you here.
Nonetheless, I'd see about getting a piece of leather and fashioning a small strap that could go around the or be hooked to your thumb rest in some way. Then maybe add a ring or grommet for your snap hook.
The thumb rest itself may have an attachment screw or screws that could be utilized in the modification. That position would be much closer to the balance point of your instrument by being further down the instrument than the upper ring location.
You might even be able to use a hose-clamp with an attached ring to add an additional lower ring. Sometimes, very simple pieces of hardware/assorted parts can be used creatively to solve a unique problem without having to physically modify your instrument.
Good luck,
HRL
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Author: Wobby8288
Date: 2018-01-06 10:10
Thanks for your suggestions - as I am borrowing my bass, I don't really want to make permanent changes to the instrument (and hopeless in doing anything that involves construction). I always play sitting down in band, but when i play solos/auditions, I prefer to stand and use the neck strap/thumb rest to hold the instrument.
I will try to make alterations to the end of the peg and hopefully work something out for when I stand to play
Btw, my thumb rest is basically a curved piece of metal (no ring or anything to attach the strap)
Post Edited (2018-01-06 10:13)
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Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2018-01-06 12:20
Not clear what the floor end of your peg looks like, but if it's a straight 7mm rod, a rubber cello spike floor protector would do the job. Or buy a length of stainless steel rod of the right gauge and a floor protector and make your own - much cheaper than buying a new clarinet floor peg, assuming you're looking to avoid that.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2021-11-30 03:51
as for the squeaking issue. i solved this by going to synthetic reeds. no more squeaks ever.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-12-02 21:39
Attachment: P5210001.JPG (678k)
Attachment: P5210002.JPG (709k)
And if your floor spike is slipping in the fitting whilst playing (usually if it's nickel plated), you can always roughen it up with coarse abrasive or a bastard file so it grips better without risking damaging the screw threads.
See attachment - I gouged up the spike with a light running over with a sharp cutting tool in my lathe with the thread pitch set to 32tpi.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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