 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mark L.
Date: 2008-07-08 14:43
Does anyone know why Bundy Bass clarinets are so squirrelly in the upper register? I'm assuming it's due to the register vent, because all the pads are good, no leaks, lower reg. plays great. What can be done about this, or is it a design flaw?
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-07-08 18:20
I think it's partly the single register vent. Call it "economical solution", call it "design flaw"... most bass lines are in the lower register (which is what you have a bass for, I think), so there was an easy-to-save dollar with a much less finicky register mechanism.
But...describe "squirrelly".
On mine, attacking notes from top-of-staff A upwards is getting difficult, but everything below is just fine.
--
Ben
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Author: blazian
Date: 2008-07-09 02:26
I have no problems with my marching Bundy bass in the upper register. I can attack any single note from the super high C (I forget what number that is) down. Since it's a school instrument, I made sure I picked one that worked perfectly. I typically use a C* and 3½ - 4 Vandy reeds on it or my Buffet bass.
Are you sure there are no leaks? Does your register key system use the plastic piece or screws to adjust?
- Martin
Post Edited (2008-07-09 19:44)
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Author: William
Date: 2008-07-09 15:29
Like Blazian (above), I've had 8th grade Bundy bass clarinet students that could play in the upper register with considerable ease--I never told them it was "difficult", they just practiced those high notes with the rest of the band. Bundy basses are great student line instruments, but to play their best, they must be leak free. And the "real" problem is with the single register key. I have never understood why Selmer couldn't (or wouldn't) build a Bundy bass with and double register mechanizm--or one that extended the range down to low C. Maybe they are afraid that it would play so good that they could no longer sell their more expensive models :>)
Your Bundy bass should be able to play in the upper register with a little "extra" effort on your part. Leaks aside, a good mouthpiece can make a world of difference in bass clarinetting and I would recommend a Selmer C* mpc--or better yet, a Walter Grabner Lawrie Bloom model. I play an older Grabner CXBS model mpc with a Legere #3.00 reed on my bass and I love it, but his newer LB mpcies have been getting great reviews and I can't wait to try one for myself.
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Author: blazian
Date: 2008-07-16 02:04
I was looking at Gigliotti bass clarinets earlier today and realized that it looked almost identical to a Bundy (now Selmer USA 1430P I guess?), except the neck angle was closer to the older Bundys, the bell was different and without a peg hole, and it is two pieces (idk if it's meant to be taken apart though). Gigliotti offers a low C version of their bass clarinet for almost $200 more than the price of the 1430P. Are there any other major differences?
- Martin
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-07-16 02:34
I’ve never heard of a Gigliotti bass clarinet, or any clarinet for that matter but I’m not in tune with the student line instruments. I’m surprised he’s making instruments being that he passed away several years ago. It's so easy to use someones name. The reason they don’t make student model bass clarinets with what we call an automatic double octave keys, two register keys that open and close automatically is that they are so easy to go out of adjustment. If any of the mechanism got even slightly bent, just imagine marching band, the register keys wouldn’t work. To get a good sound and control in the upper clarion register of a bass clarinet it really needs two register vents. Sure a student with a bit of effort can learn to play that register with a soft reed and natural ability but it’s difficult to really get a good tone. We won’t even talk about intonation. ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
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