 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kalashnikirby
Date: 2019-02-20 18:08
Good day everyone,
There's a severe lack of alternatives for wooden, Boehm system Low C bass clarinets. I recall there were rumours about a new Backun bass and in fact, they kind of mentioned this once or two on their social media channels or Youtube. There's been a thread or two on Yamaha (allegedly) devolping a new pro bass.
To this day, NOTHING new has been coming up - except a manufacturer namend "Legend" has created what seems to be a entirely new design.
http://www.royalmusicalinstruments.com/product/legend-low-c-bass-clarinet/
Note the intersting upper trill key going arching the cup of the 2nd one. Besides the Low D pinky key (which is great), there's so many features I haven't seen on other stock bass. Heck, I don't care if it's made in China or not (so are many Uebels!), it looks pretty well-thought out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4kHHA3arL0
Don't know whether this is worth anything as a review, being posted by the manufacturer themselves, but at 1:45 you can see the thumbrest + keys arrangement. Unfortunately, the thumbrest is not adjustable.
All in all, this looks like a promising instrument, especially given the price tag. Has anyone on bboard had the chance to take a closer look?
BTW, the only other Boehm bass clarinet desgin that's not derived from the "big 3" is S&S's. Though their bass actually has a German bore (for German mpcs, I suppose), so does that even count?
Best regards
Christian
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Author: dorjepismo ★2017
Date: 2019-02-20 18:46
Well, Buffet, Selmer and S&S are all quite distinct, and although the Uebel keywork is modeled on Buffet, I'm told that the bore isn't--haven't played one and don't know about that. The real shortage is in affordable but really good low C basses. I played briefly on the S&S German bore base, and sure it counts. Best Boehm bass I've ever played on, but at 24 K Euros, one would expect that. You do need a German mouthpiece for it, though, which in my opinion is a plus, not a minus. There's probably not enough of a market, but it would be nice if someone like L&K or Dietz would work up a more affordable German bore bass.
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2019-02-20 18:53
Mike Manning also offers a Wooden "made in China" bass clarinet, however his is priced at $4000 last time I checked.
The standard wooden bell is intriguing, I wish they sold it separately as an aftermarket option for other basses.
The bass clarinet appears to be a mish-mash of Yamaha and Buffet design elements. Given how much Lisa praises Buffet, I imagine the bore is a copy of the 1193. If this is true, it would be a good relatively affordable option, comparable to the Uebel Emperor.
Personally I wish someone would make a clone of the Selmer Privilege...
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Kalashnikirby
Date: 2019-02-20 19:45
Great input guys!
Well, I didn't know about the Fox bass, but of course that's going to cost a fortune like a S&S. His explanation re bore choice makes sense though, I've been wondering why I don't get "worked" up in a German basses' clarion.
Sure about the Uebel having a different bore? So far I've been told it's a complete 1193 copy, but it'd be nice if that weren't the case.
I almost dislike the 1193 in sound-wise, it's no match for the Privilige IMHO...
https://www.clarineat.com/review-royal-classical-clarinet/ mentions the bass being "apparently" co-designed by Rossi.
At any rate, itbetter be an indepent bore design when they state
"Unique to the Legend bass you will find a specially designed cylindrical top joint, and inverted poly-cylindrical lower joint"
So much talk, so little true reviews....
Regardless, one might at least acknowledge that the design elements the royal bass includes certainly require a certain level of workmanship and tools.
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Author: dorjepismo ★2017
Date: 2019-02-20 23:23
Someone who owns some Fox instruments told me a few days ago that Stephen was retiring. I don't know if that's accurate. I did email him about three years ago on the availability of a bass, and he mentioned he was working on the small bore, which might be ready in about a year. He thought at the time that it might be in the $11K range. I haven't contacted him since and don't know the status of that bass.
The information on the Emperor bore comes from Andreas Moe, of Moe-Bleichner, and was not specific, but indicated that the bore is different, and intended to give the instrument a more German sound and response. Believe it if/when you try one!
Post Edited (2019-02-20 23:23)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2019-02-21 10:32
>> but at 1:45 you can see the thumbrest + keys arrangement <<
Looks a lot like the Buffet, except with noisier metal rollers (unless they are metal colour plastic).
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Author: Kalashnikirby
Date: 2019-02-21 17:46
Within 1-2 years, I‘ll certainly pay FMB in Gütersloh a visit, they‘ve got an examplar of all the major basses and the Uebel, too! They certainly do like to advertise their instruments as „German Sounding“
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Author: tucker ★2017
Date: 2019-02-21 17:54
Dorjepismo is correct. The bore design on the Uebel is different than the Buffet. I have/play a Uebel (LOVE IT!!!). My band mate plays a Buffet 1193. Great horn. Looks VERY similar to mine but feels/sounds very different. I'll take my Uebel over a Buffet any day. Granted I've only played that one Buffet, so maybe not a good comparison.
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Author: Kalashnikirby
Date: 2019-02-21 18:58
Thanks a bunch tucker!!
I’ve been finding similar evidence indicating that the bore design is entirely different, but felt like the writer, who kind of advertises Uebel now anyways, praises this horn: http://woodwindwonderland.blogspot.com/2014/08/clarinetfest2014-all-laughter-all-smears.html?m=1
Well, the 1193 has been often critiziced as being to „clarinetish“, and I do like my large-bore 430S (+“heavy tonewood“ according to a tech) for being quite the opposite! The Buffet has other strengths though and might be preferable if you need to last for a long time.
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