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 Bass clarinet neck
Author: concertmaster3 
Date:   2018-10-21 02:53

Hi everyone,

After playing a friend's bass clarinet (Selmer 65 or 67), I discovered that I like the steeper angle of his neck over mine (Kessler). Are there any after market necks similar to this angle? Or is there a place that lists the price of the neck alone?

I'm going to check to see if his neck will fit my horn before purchasing.

Thanks!

Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com

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 Re: Bass clarinet neck
Author: Ken Lagace 
Date:   2018-10-21 04:02

Check tuning too - the bore size and length have an affect on tuning.

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 Re: Bass clarinet neck
Author: Ed 
Date:   2018-10-21 05:15

Many years ago Charles Bay made necks, but I have not seen/heard about those in years. Some repair folks have been known to cut and re-angle necks. Selmer made an after market neck for their instruments which had the steeper angle, but they were pricey and who knows if it would fit.

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 Re: Bass clarinet neck
Author: shmuelyosef 
Date:   2018-10-21 08:02

There are a number of Vito bass clarinet necks on sale at fleabay currently that have the high angle bend...YMMV but for $100 might be worth a shout. I'm wondering if they might be longer than the stock Yamaha 221 neck?

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 Re: Bass clarinet neck
Author: Hank Lehrer 
Date:   2018-10-22 01:06
Attachment:  IMG_0259.JPG (114k)

Hi All,

Here are the two necks I have for my Selmer Privilege bass clarinet; one came with the instrument and I purchased the second one direct from Selmer. Note that each one has quite different geometry.

I use the one with the steeper up angle more although Michael Lowenstern suggests that his students use one at the top. The Vito neck that was suggested above probably does not have the second register key or the correct connection to the body and would not work on a Kessler or Selmer but solely on a single vent bass clarinet. Also, if there is a register key on the neck, you might have to rework the linkage to fit your bass; this could be tricky since with a double register key setup, the co-ordination of the mechanical setup critical. This requires that a pretty sharp tech do the work.

My earlier exhaustive search of after market sources was frustrating. The price was always as high if not more than a neck from Selmer and in most cases the unit would not be ready for 6 months. There was a Selmer neck for sale on the auction site over the last summer but the going price was close to $1K.

Good luck in your search.

HRL



Post Edited (2018-10-22 01:30)

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 Re: Bass clarinet neck
Author: clarnibass 
Date:   2018-10-22 10:33

The difference is not just the angle, but how each neck positions the instrument in relation to your body. The Selmer is a lot more "squished" than most other higher angle necks (e.g. Buffet), to keep your mouth at around the same height.

From memory the neck alone was around $900 last time I checked... but it might be more now, I don't know.
If you have an adjustable neck, you can have someone (e.g. Gloger) make you a "half neck" with a steeper angle, if you don't mind this also raising the mouthpiece. It's far less than a whole neck with a register key on it.

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 Re: Bass clarinet neck
Author: Ed 
Date:   2018-10-22 20:54

FWIW- I recall that years back before the steeper angle necks became available, I knew players who would bring the bottom of the instrument closer to replicate the angle of the mouthpiece. If you are using a strap that is easy to do and saves a lot of money.

When I played the two different style necks there was a difference for me in focus and resistance, so you have to see what you like and what works best for you. If you have someone make the "half neck" option it would allow you to get what you want without permanently changing your instrument.

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 Re: Bass clarinet neck
Author: LCL 
Date:   2018-10-23 08:14

http://clarinetandsaxophone.com/das-blashaus-bass-clarinet-necks/

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 Re: Bass clarinet neck
Author: bill28099 
Date:   2018-10-23 18:17
Attachment:  buffetneck.jpg (83k)

Why don't you ask Kessler's if they can modify your existing neck, they have repair techs. You could also have a new small piece made with a steeper angle just as Morrie Backun made for me to decrease the angle.

A great teacher gives you answers to questions
you don't even know you should ask.

Post Edited (2018-10-23 18:20)

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 Re: Bass clarinet neck
Author: el gitano 
Date:   2018-10-23 22:13

for my mind, the angle depense of the mouthpiece I use,
Claus

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