 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: GoDukes
Date: 2021-05-20 05:31
Hi all,
I was a pretty decent clarinet and bass clarinet player back in the day at college level (music ed major). Life ended up going in a different direction, and I haven't played much at all for 30+ years. I've recently rejoined a local community band (a fun amateur group, but we do try to sound as decent as possible) and want to play bass clarinet but don't own one and have no option for borrowing. I'm quite happy to buy one. Those Buffet Toscas are awfully pretty, but all I need is a decent student model. I've been out of the music loop for too long to have my own opinions about currently-available brands/models, and have read enough reviews to get myself confused about which are good and which aren't.
I am leaning toward the idea of new rather than used - thinking about neighborhood of $2000, willing to be convinced to go a lil higher - need it to have a peg - tuned to 440, not 442 - low E flat is plenty low enough - these are pretty much my only criteria. I'd be very grateful for any suggestions/opinions/reviews anyone is willing to give!
Post Edited (2021-05-20 06:22)
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Author: Max S-D
Date: 2021-05-20 10:48
If your budget is around $2k and you want new, I don't think anything comes close to the Kessler bass clarinets right now. They are great bang for the buck and might be the only instrument in that price range with a double register vent, which makes a big difference in the clarion register.
Or you could go cheap and cheerful and get a used older Bundy one piece instrument. Nowhere near as sophisticated as the Kessler, but very solid and reliable instruments that play great once you're used to their quirks. They can usually be had in decent shape for well under a thousand.
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Author: oian
Date: 2021-05-20 11:33
I've had a Ridenour low C for several years. (Ridenour Clarinet Products) They have both a Low C and Low Eb version (925C, 925E). No major problems, plays great. Michael Lowenstern (Earspasm Music) has a review on Youtube "The $2,900 Bass Clarinet: Ridenour Lyrique 925C Reviewed". The the Low Eb version is $2095-$2195 depending on the mouthpiece. Both have the double register vent. The bodies are hard rubber so cracking is not going to be a problem. If for some reason I had to replace mine, I would definitely get another Ridenour.
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2021-05-20 16:06
Good advice so far. If your band is just playing show tunes and marches, a low Eb clarinets will do. If they are doing modern college level wind symphony works, you should get a low C BC.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2021-05-20 16:32
i agree you dont need a low c model. i played bass in community band and never saw parts written for low c models
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Author: GoDukes
Date: 2021-05-20 21:21
Based on the reviews I had read, I was indeed dithering between a Kessler Custom and a Ridenour 925, which both had nice reviews, but wasn't sure cuz those are both new brands to me. It's great that both were mentioned. I pulled the trigger for the Ridenour. Thank you all for your help!
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