 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Connor1700
Date: 2023-10-07 21:20
I may have an opportunity to purchase a Uebel bass from a band mate in the near future. The horn is in extremely good condition. She's a fanatic about keeping it in top condition and is serviced regularly.
My question is just feedback from folks who plays a Uebel bass. Pluses/minuses, etc.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-10-08 00:18
I had a brief playtest of one and while it doesn't have as many of the adjustments as Buffet Prestige basses have, it felt just like a Buffet Prestige in both the feel of the keywork and how it played.
For some reason I had trouble tuning to the (Bb soprano) clarinet player who was there at the time and I didn't have a tuner on me to check who was out - either I was playing really sharp or they were playing really flat (and we were both playing Bb instruments).
I don't know how things have progressed with their finishing, but I don't like seeing natural cork used extensively on the mechanisms of instruments as it doesn't last well in certain locations. There are far better modern silencing materials that offer better durability, reliability, sound deadening and low friction properties if they're used in the right places. To me, Uebel used far too much natural cork on that particular Emperior bass.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2023-10-08 01:24
check with a tuner before you buy. many modern bass clarinets like the yamaha are made to tune to a442
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2023-10-08 09:22
>> many modern bass clarinets... are made to tune to a442 <<
That's a positive. Pretty much all current made clarinets are made to play at 442, which is common to use in many (if not most) countries and also in many cases in "440 countries".
The extreme sharpness of e.g. the Yamaha 221 is not 442. I've posted about this before but here's a quick example. Let's say a 500mm long note, you would need to lengthen the tube by about 2mm to change from 442 to 440. Even the longest notes would require a difference of barely 5mm. Either way the Uebel doesn't have that "issue".
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Author: tucker ★2017
Date: 2023-10-08 16:41
I've played a Uebel Emperior since 2016. GREAT horn. I've been very pleased with the instrument. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-10-08 18:36
I usually play bass with the crook tuning slide pulled out by around 5mm. Even if they're built to 442Hz, that's only to give a bit off leeway with tuning in most conditions and an easy one to bring down to 440.
I would've liked to have made a direct comparison with both the Uebel and Buffet at the time, only they didn't have a Buffet in stock. I also read on here several years back that one of the board members who has an Uebel did a comparison with his colleague's Buffet and neither of them could tell much of a difference between them.
Now there's Royal Global who have copied Buffet's Prestige bass design with their basses.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2023-10-09 21:16
Tried recently Uebel Revel in Bb and a Royal Global Bb (do not remember the model but in the same price range).
I liked Uebel better. I understand that my experience may not transfer to bass clarinets.
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Author: Reese Oller
Date: 2023-10-10 21:59
I've heard from youtube that the Uebel is one of the best in tune bass clarinets on the market. I've never played anything except a Yamaha 221, a Selmer 33 (VERY briefly) and a Privilege (ONCE).
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