 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Boulemans
Date: 2012-05-09 09:16
Dear all,
Until now, I'm playing on a King & Marigaux bass clarinet (to low Eb), rather old model and with a crack in the wood. The latter keeps my sound in a rather awful quality, and makes me think about buying a new one. The purpose of the new clarinet should be entertainment in the first place. I am a amateur player, but I love the clarinet and want to get the most out of the instrument at my rehearsals (private practice, concert band and symphony orchestra).
Since I'm buying the instrument for the next 20 years, I'm willing to pay a bit more to buy a wood clarinet, maybe even to the low C. I've spend some time talking to my instrument-seller, and here are some of my options:
Yamaha YCL621 or 622 (to low Eb or C)
Uebel bass-clarinet Emperior (To low C, german style)
The latter is a surprise: I don't know the brand, and I'm not finding a lot of useful information about it. It is, however, almost 1500 euro cheaper then the Yamaha (not to mention Buffet Crampon).
My questions:
Does anyone have experience with Uebel bass clarinet? Is it comparable with Yamaha or other brands?
Is it difficult to learn german-style instruments (I guess this is a irrelevant question and is just a matter of practice)
How about wood quality: do the instruments crack easy?
Does anyone have other recommendations?
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Author: Boulemans
Date: 2012-05-09 09:54
The Uebel Bass clarinet can be found here:
http://uebel-klarinetten.de/fauebel/klarinetten/bass-klarinetten/bass-klarinette-740/
B1-Mechanik mit 2 automatisch umschaltenden Duodezimklappen
--> do they mean that it is a double vent key? So this would make the sound in for the high notes better, in theory?
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-05-09 10:20
Well......... if you're playing JUST the bass clarinet (or going to invest in German system sopranos) the switch to the German system is testy but doable. In many cases I prefer the 'sound' better. Better placement of notes, smoother transitions, easier sharp keys. But it will take a good six months to a year before you get comfortable.
I would NOT try doing both systems simultaneously. It'll throw off your 'muscle memory' something awful.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: Boulemans
Date: 2012-05-09 10:51
Hmm ... apperently I'm talking abouth the wrong bass clarinet.
There should be a Uebel bass clarinet in the Boehm system, a copy of the Buffet Crampon BC1193. Sold with 7 year warranty.
Has anyone heard about this instrument? I can't find any information about the instrument. The music shop only tells me that they make the instrument in Germany, Wiesbaden.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2012-05-09 15:16
I have an older Uebel (F. Arthur, that is) bass clarinet, Oehler system, which originally had a range to low D but which I've extended to low C. I really like it, I think it's an excellent instrument. I have no experience with their current model, however.
Despite Paul's warnings I play both systems simultaneously, and only occasionally have problems with keeping the different fingerings straight. Just played a concert doing Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra (3rd clarinet part) with the Oehler-system bass but Boehm-system Bb/A clarinets, and it went OK. Granted, it has taken me about a year of spare-time Oehler system playing to reach this point.
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Author: Boulemans
Date: 2012-05-09 16:59
I've send an e-mail to Uebel to ask for additional information about this bass clarinet.
Even if they can provide additional information, would it be worth the risk to go for an unreviewed type of bass clarinet, and buy the Uebel? Or shouldn't I take the risk, and buy the Yamaha-one?
The shop gives a 7 year warrenty on the Uebel instrument. Is this a lot for bass clarinets?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-05-09 17:05
Uebel have made Boehm system basses and basset horns in the past, so they should in theory still be tooled up to make them now. A 7-year warranty is very good - I don't think any other makers give anywhere near that length warranty on their products (apart from a Far Eastern car manufacturer).
Here's an interesting DDR-era Boehm system Uebel low C bass with a very home-made looking crook: http://www.clarinetsdirect.biz/UebelBass.html
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2012-05-12 20:25
I am intrigued to see that the crook area has been modified by a seemingly bog standard right angle plumbing connector.
The water key on the crook is probably incredibly useful, just wonder if there is any acoustical problem putting it so close to the mouthpiece!?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-05-12 22:16
The older Buffet basses had a water key on the crook, but obviously much further away from the mouthpiece due to the French design crook. I doubt it'll have much impact on the acoustics so long as it seals properly and it's not a huge diameter hole, but that's the best place for it as it's the lowest point for water to collect.
The copper connector made me laugh - seeing the bore diameter is the same (presumably why it was used), it's theoretically possible to make an entire bass clarinet body from large diameter copper pipe.
I wonder who cobbled up that crook? And wonder what the other section members thought of it?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: HANGARDUDE
Date: 2012-11-30 15:27
Sorry for joining the conversation late. So now Uebel produces 2 bass clarinet models, the Oehler 740 and the Boehm Emperior. The 740 is obviously a small German bore, but I'm not sure the Emperior is actually a Greman bore. It seemed a bit larger. As I'm looking for more economical Low C1 and also the distinct German sound, I'm now considering Uebel instead of Buffet, so I can get two birds with one stone. Before asking Herr Uebel himself, does anyone know what bore the Emperior is?
Josh
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Author: donald
Date: 2012-11-30 22:40
An advantage with Uebel is that when a German regulated company says "7 year warranty" they really mean it. A disadvantage for you (Joshua) would be that it's a long way from Hong Kong to Germany, so i'd be sure to find out if Uebel have an agent etc in Hong Kong or a nearby city/country.
dn
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-12-01 05:27
I just looked up the prices and the Uebel Emperior bass comes in well under the cost of Yamaha, Buffet and Selmer low C basses. Would be interesting to compare it with the others.
http://www.howarth.uk.com/clarinets.html
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: HANGARDUDE
Date: 2012-12-01 16:34
Okay. Thanks for the information. No, as far as I know there's no retailer or agent around here. However, the biggest question still remains: What bore is it? German(as with the 740) or French(same with Buffet, Amati,etc.)?
Also, thank you David for suggesting an Oehler bass and Boehm Bb/A used in the same concert, I'm thinking about that. Do you fellas think that I should try the Oehler? As I have fine motor skills defficiencies, which system would better for me?
Josh
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