 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Maggie
Date: 2001-08-31 00:42
Hi!
I hope someone can advise me on the best route to take in replacing my very old, very cheap instrument. I'm an amateur player in a small Ontario town's concert band. For the last 10 years I've played a King plastic bass clarinet which I bought used for $500 CAD. Needless to say, the quality is likely about as low as you can get. I'd like to upgrade, but don't know at what stage one should switch to a wood instrument. Or perhaps one should never play a plastic one unless there's no choice? Our winter evening rehearsals mean that the instrument sits in a cold vehicle for about an hour before being brought inside to play, and some nights it can be well below zero F. Any idea of what price range I would be looking at?(Please specify currency, USD or CAD). I'm perfectly willing to purchase a used instrument. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-08-31 00:53
Search for Dave Spiegelthal and Johnathan Butler in the 'Classified' section.
Dave is a semi-pro musician with lotsa interesting horns, that are
'Players not lookers' and has liberal terms on demonstration periods.
John has a top-notch restoration facility and may be able to scrounge something together.
Sounds like you upgrade to a more modern version, the Vito is the same horn whether in LeBlanc or Yamaha stripes, so count your Loonies!
I would look seriously to older, hard-rubber horns for better sound and durability.
Not ta menshen cheapa!
anji
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2001-08-31 01:01
I have a Selmer Bundy and it is great in the lower register, however as soon as you pop the register key in goes bad. It sold for 1900 (us). Get something better then a Bundy.
It's all a matter of money.
I would check the classified here on the board.
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Author: Ted Donaldson
Date: 2001-08-31 01:16
why not keep the same family? I have a king wood, and it has a wonderful dark sound. I would say to give it a try, plus you can get a good used one for about 1250, although i got a mint one with all of the papers and locks to teh case, for about 2000. But i would reccomend trying a few. Go to a music store and ask to see their basses. And another opinion, stay away from vito. Although a great beginner horn, you would be laughed at if you played that in a concert with professionals.
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Author: beth
Date: 2001-08-31 02:14
Bob, and I thought it was "only me" and my playing "technique" is the reason why the upper register sounds so ugly on the Selmer Bundy I'm playing. My mfd insists it sounds like a "very badly played sax". I've gotten really good at droping a register or switching to my Bb if the bass music is in the upper end of things. So I'd have to second Bob's opinion about the Bundy.
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Author: Mike Harrelson
Date: 2001-08-31 04:06
Would you want to take a wood bass clarinet from zero degrees to a warm rehersal hall? I guess that's done all the time where you live.
A well regulated plastic bass kept in good condition can sound very nice in all the registers (my vito does) and may be able to better withstand temp changes.
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-08-31 13:01
Maggie,
Given the temperature extremes you're subjecting your bass clarinet to, I would tend to agree with the suggestion to go with something like a new or used recent Leblanc Vito, although I'd warn you that many people have had problems with pads and corks falling off these because of the crappy adhesive Leblanc has been using lately --- so if you get a Vito (an otherwise very decent instrument) expect to have to get pads/corks re-glued from time to time (and make sure you get the version with the leather, not the bladder pads).
I would ignore Ted's suggestion to stick with Kings (with all due respect, Ted!) ---- his wood "King" is actually made by Marigaux, an excellent French maker, and the instrument is nothing like U.S.-made King plastic instruments (which, sorry to say, are pretty lousy). And while I am very grateful to Anji for his endorsement, unfortunately I don't have any bass clarinets for sale at the moment (Mark C, I apologize for the commercial message).
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Author: SusieQ
Date: 2001-08-31 13:59
David S., what is your opinion about the Yahama BC's with leather pads? I am having the same trouble with the upper register on my old Bundy too! Thanks SusieQ
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Author: Stephen Froehlich
Date: 2001-08-31 15:04
Maggie, it all depends on what you're willing to spend. I like the Vitos/Yamahas too, and they can be a very playable horn with the right mouthpiece. However I can't really comment on your temperature concerns, as I live in Texas. The last time I got an instrument that cold, I was in middle school - playing a Vito. I remember that the Elmer's glue holding the register key adjustment screw came loose but the instrument sustained no damage.
If Dave doesn't have anything, start by checking the classified ads here and at http://www.new-music.org/ad-instr.html. The other possibility is eBay. If you pick up an old Selmer Paris and get Dave or John to overhaul it, you'll have quite an instrument. (Contact Dave and John to see how much an overhaul will cost.) Eb instruments are reasonable and will do for almost any application (literature requiring low C is still relatively rare).
If you're hesitant about eBay, don't hesitate to use this board as a resource. It is common to post a link to an eBay auction and say "Whaddya think of this one?". The drawback is that you're advertising to the board - many of whom can spot a good deal, but hey, you will get an honest opinion and solid advice here, so its worth it if you need help.
I'm probably going to get lambasted for this, but it is true that if your goal is simply to acquire something from eBay at minimum price, then you should learn to snipe. eBay is set up such that those who signal their intentions early are at a distinct disadvantage. See http://www.isnipeit.com for details.
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Author: David dow Sympony NB
Date: 2002-04-26 10:35
I am not a fan of Yamaha Bass clarinets, they just seem to lack soul and for their prices a Buffet or Selmer seem to be closer to the ideal I like.
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