 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: moeboy
Date: 2006-06-17 04:52
This might seem like the craziest thing anyperson would want to do in the world, but i want to make my own bass clarinet for my senior project at school...(cowers in fear as people scream). For some reason i have this idea stuck in my head that it is a very likely possibility to do something like this. I have access to round stock brass ( well i hope so, i am pretty sure i can get some from a friend), and for the most part any material that i would need ( least i think i would need, such as copper tubing, steel round stock and such...). I know it will be a lot of work, but i have a year or so to do this, and i would like to get started as soon as possible. I have access to a CNC machine and other various metal working tools. I was hoping if anyone had advice to help me along ( or discourage me) the way. I will be working off of a a selmer privilege model bass clarinet as to post layout, and such. I will be trying to get key work to model as needed from a local instrument store, wherever i can get it, or just make something up. I want to have a nice peice and i think with the proper advice this is a possiblity to make this happen, i just need advice as to if it's possible, where to start, what all would be needed, and a diagram as to tone hole placement, lengths, and all the fun specs i would need ( i don't actually have a selmer privilege, so i don't have one ready to work off of, i thought possibly someone would know where to get information like that). Any information is gladly accepted and appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read all that
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2006-06-17 13:03
Many long years ago, when I was in high school, someone made a Bb clarinet for a science fair project. As I recall, it was made out of some clear plastic tubing and I don't know what else. It used a "real" mouthpiece.
Very Rube Goldberg, but it worked -- that's all I remember.
Good luck!
Susan
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Author: hans
Date: 2006-06-17 13:23
moeboy,
Someone posted a similar idea a few years ago. I don't recall seeing what resulted; i.e., whether it was a success or whether they gave up. But you might be able to find the thread and more information by using the search feature .
You could start with something smaller and simpler to see how long it is likely to take to make your bass clarinet.
Good luck with your project.
Hans
Post Edited (2006-06-17 21:14)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-06-17 13:33
I believe that in his PB book "Horns, Strings and Harmony", Dr.Benade tells how he made a soprano cl, with [possibly] enough detail to enable common people to do so. I'll try to re-find my copy [lost in our moving]. I considered it, but quickly gave up, and bot several "inexpensives" and spent some time "tweaking" them to my likings. I admire your interest and planning, but suggest that making your own bass cl is similar to a good auto mechanic starting on an Indy racer instead of an early Ford, to explore "how difficult it may be". Best of luck, its just too much for this antique engineer to spend the rest of his life on. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2006-06-17 14:46
My assessment is that you probably are crazy, so go for it. (Cheaper than extended therapy)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-06-17 15:43
I'm currently making the third version of a low-C extension for my bass clarinet -- nowhere near as involved a job as making the entire instrument, but contains a microcosm of the same steps. Please contact me offline for what little help I could offer. Good luck (you'll need lots of it!).
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Author: moeboy
Date: 2006-06-17 16:19
My biggest worry about the entire project right now is finding measurements on a selmer privilege, the key work isn't that big a deal. I plan on designing the key work on my own for comfort ( i played a friend's selmer privilege, and the low d, c# and c were a bit too much to get used to). Thank all yous for the wishes of luck, i know i am going to need all of that i can get.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-06-17 21:04
M B- I DO NOT intend this as anything beyond a Caution consideration. If its your intention to copy Selmer's "Privilege" in your "research?", you might be well advised to ask what info Selmer might provide to you, to avoid any "legalities". I can search US patents, but not European nor Worldwide patent activity, if there has been any on this model. I believe that in the US, a form of confirmation copying of issued/valid patents has been permitted, IF there is no "mfcrg. FOR SALE" involved, whereby patent infringement could be sued for [generally triple damages!]. If I were wanting to do what you have said, I'd consider asking Selmer about it. Please accept this as just a word of caution. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: moeboy
Date: 2006-06-17 22:23
didn't think about that........I will look into it, thanks Don
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Author: Koo Young Chung
Date: 2006-06-18 13:59
Buying all the drill bits and counter sinks and reamers will costs you
ten times more than the price of a bass clarinet let alone the skills you need to use them.
I strongly recommend you make a simple recorder then you will have a better idea for the bass clarinet.
Bass clarinet is 100 times complex than a recorder.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-06-18 16:41
Speaking of DIY - any recipe for a simple PVC tube horn with Clarinet mpc? I searched here and there but found no concise mathematical equation re pitch vs bore vs tonehole placement. Would be a fun project for the kids for the coming summer vacations.
--
Ben
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Author: allencole
Date: 2006-06-19 02:16
Here is something that I was told by an excellent Apache flutist, playing an instrument of his own making:
"I can't tell you what scale it's on--I don't know anything about music"
"It's the width of a man's hand from the end of the tube [where you blow] to the vent hole. Then it's the width of a man's finger to the first finger hole and the same to each finger hole after that"
I think that there were six finger holes, maybe seven, and he was knocking out a minor pentatonic scale. Pitch is pretty bendable via fingers, and it probably helps considerably if two or more instruments play together.
Hope this helps somewhat.
Allen Cole
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Author: FDF
Date: 2006-06-19 02:47
One other consideration is will you be able to finish your senior project in time. You might want to discuss your ideas with an advisor, and make contingency plans in case the project is overwhelming. Your project shouldn't stand in the way of all the other activites you'll be interested in your senior year.
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