Author: shmuelyosef
Date: 2019-03-04 05:42
I have had a Yamaha 221-ii for several years now; I got it used from school stock (cheap) so it was a little beat up. I'm not a great bass clarinet player but needed a better bass than my ancient Bundy (which had unremediable problems) for doubling in big band settings (Baritone sax seat).
I overhauled it with leather pads and have spent quite a bit of time and energy learning how to voice it to respond evenly and play in tune. It is now getting regular use, and while I can't say "I love it" it is serving the purpose competently. It has three weak spots that are a little problematic.
1. As is often discussed, it is tuned way sharp with the neck in all the way (like 443-444). The neck needs to be out about 1cm, but fortunately, there is a long tenon...I worry that the tenon will get stressed from the clamp and get wobbly, but so far, so good. There is a good market for someone to make an improved neck.
2. The bridge key is very short and just barely makes contact...again, with a very thin, hard piece of cork (I use the MusicMedic laminated cork) as a damper and adjusting only by bending the (formidably strong) arm, this works, but there is no room to tune the horn by pulling out the middle joint
3. The neck strap ring is far too low for any reasonable length strap...I should probably just relocate it, but that has never gotten to the top of the list. Also, the thumbrest is a bit low and very uncomfortable (I use Dr. Scholl's Moleskin plus). It would be a real pain to relocate this one, but I my try to fashion a metal one.
It is serving my purpose...if I ever get serious about the bass, I will probably trade it for a Kessler.
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The Clarinet BBoard
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