 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinetmc
Date: 2022-08-06 06:49
Hello all!
I have a Buffet Tosca bass clarinet that I purchased in 2014. It's a great instrument, but there are some intonation characteristics that have always been a challenge to manage. My clarion register seems to be quite low (the top line F, F#, and G in particular) compared to the chalumeau. I can usually make this work by pushing in the neck when I have time in the piece I'm performing or recording, but the 12ths are very narrow and changes in voicing and embouchure pressure can only get the pitch up a little (I also add the right-hand Eb pinky key and sliver key to help with the F# and G).
Has anyone else had a similar experience? If so, how did you manage to help with the issue? I know it's likely I won't find a perfect solution, but to get the pitch of these higher notes even a few cents higher (without making the 12th below wicked sharp) would help out a great deal!
Thanks for your input!
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Author: m1964
Date: 2022-08-06 10:26
Hi clarinetmc,
Did you try to speak about this issue with Buffet directly or with one of clarinet techs?
NYclarinetworkshop.com would be my recommendation to call, there should be other techs who might be able to help you.
Adding both the Eb and sliver keys to bring F# in tune seems to be excessive.
Did your bass have such severe tuning problems since new?
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2022-08-06 16:43
Fortunately there is a fairly simple fix that will only affect the upper register. The upper register vent needs to be drilled out to 3.2 mm or 1/8”. I don’t have a Tosca but I do have the original Prestige they were designed after with the same 23.3mm polycylindrical bore and my 12ths are perfectly in tune with the enlarged vent. It also makes the clarion much more responsive. If you don’t want to modify your stock neck you could also get an ICON Tosca neck and have a tech modify that.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: crazyclari
Date: 2022-08-18 04:53
Hi,
I have found that older model mouthpieces have been far less in tune than the current batch of mouthpieces.
IMO I found the older Selmer model mouthpieces to be not very good (bad) e.g. the older C, D models.
Currently using a Backun Moba+ which they have stopped making. Previously I was using a Yamaha 7C which I had cleaned up and had done some work on tip and rails. I found the Yamaha to be the best tuning of the lot at the time and cheap as. There a now some fantastic mouthpieces out there.
I have a prestige which I bought when I was working in a shop. There was about 12 in stock and I chose from about 6 of them and matched up the best bell and neck. I would not have bought any of the others as the tuning was far less than ideal. I know a local professional chose one of the others which she has now sold as she thought it was out of tune.
The trade off was that the mechanism was a mess and took me years (on a part time basis) to get set-up as everything takes longer and is more demanding on a bass. These horns maintain adjustment very well.
As mentioned maybe a leak?
?? Cheers Glen
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