 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: iriegnome
Date: 2019-05-12 03:35
Sorry everyone. Another question about this. I am wanting to buy my daughter a Low C Bass clarinet, but I need a very quick and obvious pointer.
Just by looking at a Bass Clarinet, how do I tell the difference? Other than someone telling me, I need to be able to spot it.
Is the neck different? How so? I know that the lower piece is longer, but I don't always see them pulled apart.
My daughter spots them in a nano second. I need to know what she is seeing (she says she can't explain it).
Thanks everyone for all the help.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-05-12 04:09
There's a pad (key cup) on the bell of low "C" instruments.
whoops.......let me modify that (just saw an image of a low "Eb" horn with a key on the bell). An "Eb" bass will only have three big cups along the right hand side of the bottom joint. "C" bass clarinets will have five or six big cups along the right hand side (it's a longer horn).
.............Paul Aviles
Post Edited (2019-05-12 04:18)
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2019-05-12 17:15
When pulled apart, both sections of a low Eb bass clarinet are similar lengths. With a low C, the lower section is significantly longer. Like 8”.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2019-05-12 17:16
Even not pulled apart you can usually see the difference in length of the two section.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: kdk
Date: 2019-05-12 18:44
I haven't played a C bass for a long time and only for one performance, but, if memory serves, the keys to produce D, Db and C were thumb-controlled keys on the back of the lower section. An Eb bass has no thumb keys on the RH section at all.
Karl
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Author: rmk54
Date: 2019-05-12 19:02
I think the Buffet setup is C and C-sharp for the RH thumb with low D keys for both pinkies.
The old Selmers (like mine) have the key arrangement kdk alluded to.
However, if you cannot tell the difference between a low C and low E-flat instrument, maybe you should enlist the help of a professional before dishing out between $5,000 and $15,000.
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Author: Jordan Selburn
Date: 2019-05-12 19:59
rmk54: The Buffet Prestige/1193 has right hand thumb keys for D/C#/C, along with D keys for both pinkies (the right pinkie key is a bit of a reach for me). I *think* the Buffet Tosca bass has thumb keys for Eb/C#/C.
Jordan
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Author: tucker ★2017
Date: 2019-05-12 21:16
GENERALLY a low C will have R hand thumb keys under the thumb rest and there will be 6 spatula keys for the R pinkie. I've got 6 pinkie keys for each hand.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2019-05-12 21:21
Whatever the arrangement, the point is that the low C requires thumb keys on the back of the RH section. An Eb doesn't.
I agree with rmk54, though, that a good bass clarinet is a large investment and, if you aren't confident in choosing one yourself, you should find help, even at the relatively minimal cost of paying a trusted teacher or player for time to work with you. Does your daughter have a clarinet teacher?
Karl
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2019-05-19 16:01
The Low C model is substantially longer than the Eb. It really should be obvious if you see them together. As pointed out above, there's several more keys and pads on the low C model including right hand thumb keys. Best bet, get a pro or teacher that plays bass to help pick it out. If it's a used model it could have problems.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2019-05-20 02:14
As for cases, a bass to low Eb will either fit in a long narrow case if both body joints remain assembled, or a case around the same size as an alto sax case if all the joints are separated.
Low C bass cases are usually the same size as tenor sax cases to accommodate the length of the lower joint and LH levers.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Micke Isotalo ★2017
Date: 2024-09-03 12:37
Yes, there is no dimensional difference in the mouthpiece socket of a low C and low Eb bass neck (not of course counting German v.s. French system basses).
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2024-09-03 19:36
Check the mouthpiece you have WILL fit as some basses have different diameter sockets, so a regular mouthpiece may not fit at all.
I had that recently when someone brought over a Chinese ebonite bass to low Eb and my mouthpiece which fits nearly all other basses just wouldn't fit this particular bass as the socket was much narrower, so the owner of it was stuck using the stock mouthpiece and had no chance of trying other mouthpieces with it unless they had the tenon machined down to fit, which isn't always an option on some bass mouthpieces (eg. crystal ones).
Ideally all Boehm system basses built to low E, Eb, D and C should use the same type of mouthpiece and have the mouthpiece socket of a certain diameter, give or take a few hundredths of a millimetre.
Mouthpiece makers generally make the mouthpiece tenon a bit on the narrow side to accommodate as many basses where each maker has their own ideas on socket diameter. The thickness of the mouthpiece tenon cork isn't of much consequence as it's compressible when used with a high quality cork grease to keep it supple. If the mouthpiece rocks in the socket, then the tenon rings are the issue as adding more cork won't stabilise things, so if you have a mouthpiece you like and it wobbles like anything, have the tenon rings sleeved to make them fit the socket (although it will mean that mouthpiece will only fit your bass).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2024-09-04 03:56
Chris P wrote:
> Check the mouthpiece you have WILL fit as some basses have
> different diameter sockets, so a regular mouthpiece may not fit
> at all.
Is there the same variation in the neck diameters? Wouldn't they have some relationship to the entry bore (which, I assume, is more standardized)? Is it feasible, instead of trying to futz around with the socket, to replace the neck? or to cut off the original (too narrow) socket and solder on a more standard replacement? It seems like a serious disadvantage not to be able to use standard mouthpieces with an instrument like that.
And, if you're serious about playing the instrument, worth the cost.
Karl
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2024-09-05 02:21
Replacing the socket is the easiest thing to do in that situation as that's a manufacturing error and it might end up being made too thin if opened (machined) up to a more suitable size. The bore diameter is still the same.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2024-09-05 08:25
>> Is it feasible, instead of trying to futz around with the socket, to replace the neck? <<
Depends on the exact model, more often than not a different neck wouldn't fit. The tenon or any key mechanism might not work. You could modify them, but it might not play as well because of the bore anyway. You could replace or modify the socket, but worth checking first that the mouthpiece would work with the instrument. If you're going through the hassle of replacing the neck then it's a question whether the instrument is worth that investment in the first place.
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Author: samsmith
Date: 2024-09-05 10:58
clarnibass wrote:
> >> Is it feasible, instead of trying to futz around with the
> socket, to replace the neck? <<
>
> Depends on the exact model, more often than not a different
> neck wouldn't fit. The tenon or any key mechanism might not
> work. You could modify them, but it might not play as well
> because of the bore anyway. You could replace or modify the
> socket, but worth checking first that the mouthpiece would work
> with the instrument. If you're going through the hassle of
> replacing the neck then it's a question whether the instrument
> is worth that investment in the first place.
https://retrobowlgame.io
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