 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: 47tim
Date: 2014-06-28 06:12
Alright, so, I have been playing the Bb clarinet for 4 years now, and it just isn't my thing, since I always like to play the bass parts in songs. So, what I found is the bass clarinet. One of my friends let me try out his bass and it was really fun! I've already read up on the differences and stuff. But anway, the question is: Is this a good bass clarinet I found?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003BXCVEG?pc_redir=1403511508&robot_redir=1.
Thanks, and sorry for the lengthy question
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Author: GeorgeL ★2017
Date: 2014-06-28 18:26
Woodwind and Brasswind (wwbw.com) is selling it for $1250. A couple of people who have bought it left comments.
The stock answer probably is that a 'good' bass clarinet will cost $5K and up (way up). You might want to compare the one you spotted with a student model Yamaha bass clarinet.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2014-06-28 18:38
What George said. A good low C wood bass is in the 7-9k range.
And you will be expected to play in the altissimo at times even on bass.
If you're a student, most bands provide school owned instruments for bass players.
You will need a good mouthpiece. Lessons from a good private teacher are always recommended. Do you take lessons? What does your teacher recommend?
You should play test several instruments before buying - be careful buying one off of the internet. Its best to buy from a local store so that you can play and compare several instruments.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Filettofish
Date: 2014-06-28 19:20
I'd recommend fully exploring your options before purchasing any instrument. Pending you are a student, most schools own bass clarinets, so you would have to opportunity to borrow one at little cost. If you buy, prepare to mount the cost of a new mouthpiece (the stock ones are almost always crap), a neck strap (if you're into that) and some reeds. While you would need this all playing a school instrument, it can be a heavy undertaking once putting on the price of an expensive instrument. I'd recommend either borrowing a school instrument or seeking out a rental - find a reputable music store which sells and rents instruments. Renting can be a cheaper option, and as you may know in the early days of playing an instrument, there is a chance you may not like the instrument. To answer your question, the Allora looks nice, but I'm not sure of their reputation. Typically, Yamaha is known as making the best student quality plastic/hard rubber basses, however even I have my qualms regarding Yamaha's instruments. Long story short, explore all your options before jumping on a purchase so costly.
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Author: 47tim
Date: 2014-06-28 19:58
Hello all, yes, I do take lessons. I visited my local music store and found a nice low Eb bass for about 2000 dollars. Would this be the better choice? All the school basses are being rented and the are all very bad and break alot
Post Edited (2014-06-28 20:03)
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Author: AAAClarinet
Date: 2014-06-28 21:25
Look into the Ridenour basses. I played one of their older models and it was great.
AAAClarinet
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Author: 47tim
Date: 2014-06-28 22:02
Hello AAAClarinet, I looked at the ridenour website and found this http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/lowcbasspage.html. I've read the reveiws and it seems to be a pretty good bass. Does anyone have an opinion?
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Author: 47tim
Date: 2014-06-29 04:01
Hello SilverSorcerer, I've looked at your post and it was quite interesting, but you haven't clearly answered my question. Is the ridenour Low C bass clarinet a worthwhile investment?
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Author: AAAClarinet
Date: 2014-06-29 04:18
Contact Ted Ridenour directly. He can answer any questions you have. They are great to work with and honest about their products. They won't try to sell you something if it isn't what you're looking for.
AAAClarinet
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2014-06-29 17:10
For any student in need of a good bass clarinet I recommend any of the yamaha bass clarinets, preferably the ycl 221, but I've played on the ycl 220 and it is also acceptable. I would definitely buy used and get a good beginners mouthpiece to go with it. If you shop around you should be able to pay less that $1000. Do NOT buy an allora unless you have the skills to fix the mechanical problems they often come with. Sometimes you get lucky with chinese bass clarinets (Allora, rsr, ect...) but they don't usually come "ready to play." Stick with a well known brand (Bundy, Vito, Normandy, Ridenour, Yamaha, ect...) and you should be fine.
Hope this helps!
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Author: 47tim
Date: 2014-06-29 20:07
SilverSorcerer, yes, I am committed to the path. I plan on renting one of the basses from my local music store, and then in October, I will decide what instrument to buy. I'm trying to look for a pretty good bass with a low c extension that isn't $10,000. That's why the ridenour caught my eye thanks to AAAClarinet.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-06-29 22:30
I don't want to rain on the Yamaha parade (I LOVE their sopranos) but I am using the top-of-the-line bass presently that is not worth the wood from which it is made. Are Yamaha's student line instrument REALLY that good in comparison with others? Why is their top line instrument so God awful?
...........Paul Aviles
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Author: rmk54
Date: 2014-06-29 23:38
We recently had a sub (Schifrin student from Yale) who used a Yamaha bass on Bernstein Symphony No.1.
Sounded pretty good to us.
Maybe it's just you...
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Author: blazian
Date: 2014-06-30 22:11
I think it's more that their student models and advanced models are closer in quality. For example, I have had the worst time playing some of the lower models of Buffet basses (specifically several 1180-2 basses) but the professional basses are fantastic. In contrast, I've played the YCL221II and it's not that far from the YCL622 (which was nice, but not as impressive as Buffets and Selmers).
- Martin
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-07-01 06:29
I don't refer to the sound, but to how HARD it is to get it to produce those sounds (and it has NOTHING to do with leaks mind you). I have had no problems with Selmer or Buffet low C instruments, or even Eb Leblancs. This thing is just atrocious. And I say this with tears in my eyes because I really do love my CSGs.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2014-07-01 10:53
hmmm....did you use their stock mouthpiece? I know, some find them okay, but their 4Cs don't work for me.
FWIW I played my 3rd outdoors season on my Jupiter 675 and it's really a nice and dependable instrument. (using a Fobes Nova on the business end).
(I have an Uebel Emperior to Low C but usually leave it at home when we have an outside gig. Not just because of it being wood, but there's always the danger of it being stolen...)
--
Ben
Post Edited (2014-07-01 10:55)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-07-01 13:14
I use both a Hawkins and a personal Zinner (without further designation) that I have used on many other basses quite successfully. Currently number 3, V12s make things pop quit nicely (as nice as they can on a hideous bass that is).
..........Paul Aviles
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Author: blazian
Date: 2014-07-02 08:22
I'm still a bit surprised to hear that particular bass is such a dud. Have you tried another of the same model?
- Martin
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Author: Mark Horne
Date: 2014-07-02 22:47
Interesting to hear Paul's issues with the top Yamaha low C bass (model 622II I presume).
I purchased one new in the box about a year ago and it is most excellent. I also had a demo version of the same model that was equal in playability if not slightly better (a bit more broken in perhaps). Although I have not yet played them side-by-side, I find the overall quality quite comparable to a new Buffet Prestige 1193.
As another comparison point, I bought the student model Yamaha (221 II) as a brand new instrument 5 or 6 years ago and it is a very solid player but pales in comparison to the 622. My main gripe with the student model is the very balky upper clarion - which I attribute to the relatively low placement of the register vent.
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Author: Toolaholic
Date: 2017-04-10 05:02
I have both clarinets. I love my 622 II. It has a very even tone across the range of the instrument and has great intonation. Mike Hammer set my 622 up. He opened up keys and added shellac to lower joint pads resulting in a more open sound and a solid low C. My only complaint about the 622 is that i wish it had a bigger sound. I use a Fobes bssso nova with it. I want to upgrade in the fall to a blue rubber Fobes 10K for more power. The 221 plays with a bigger sound than the 622 but upper range is strident and lacks the 622s warmth.
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Author: CEC
Date: 2017-04-10 07:24
The Yamaha pro basses are uptight, reticent, resistant horns that blow very evenly but have unremarkable tuning. I've tried a few over the years and they are all that way. If you want an idea of how they play, grab any of the Chinese basses - an extremely similar experience.
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Author: HANGARDUDE
Date: 2017-04-10 07:44
I had the lucky opportunity to play a Yamaha 622 II and a Buffet Prestige 1193 side-by-side some months ago, and I recall that the 622 is a bit more freeblowing than the 1193. The high clarion C was also quite responsive compared to my personal 221. However, the tone of the 622 is somewhat blander in tone compared to the 1193, which has a more colourful tone. The particular 622 I tried was slightly out of adjustment on the 3rd plateau and Low Eb key, but I believe those could be fixed easily. The setup I used to test the horns consisted of a Fobes San Francisco RR mp with Blue Box Strength 3 reeds plus a Versa lig.
I'd say the 622 is a nice instrument(though not as remarkable as the Buffets and Selmers), and if at a good price I'd be tempted to go for it, but the prevalent prejudice against the Yamaha pro basses somewhat daunts me...
Josh
Post Edited (2017-04-10 07:46)
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Author: Toolaholic
Date: 2017-04-10 15:21
Mike hammer of hammer woodwinds,who is s buffet dealer, said my Yamaha 622 II is a good buy at $6700 I paid for it. Brand new demo horn at shows. He said the buffet 1193 had more solid keyword so I should use plenty of cork grease and be careful assembling the Yamaha . Plus always finger a low E Or Eb when playing a low D or C. If you finger a low G and then push the low D or low C right thumb it is a lot of stress on the Yamahas weaker mechanism. We never talked about the tone.
Post Edited (2017-04-10 19:16)
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Author: Toolaholic
Date: 2017-04-10 15:31
Her is me playing it before the Mike hammer work. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ODjzYEQUkno
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Author: Toolaholic
Date: 2017-04-10 15:32
Me playing it. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ODjzYEQUkno I guess you got cut and paste yourself .
Post Edited (2017-04-10 15:34)
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Author: Toolaholic
Date: 2017-04-10 22:07
Right or wrong I got a Yamaha because they are consistent from clarinet to clarinet. Buffet and Selmer not so much.
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Author: thereallukasj
Date: 2017-04-12 10:27
Before contacting or buying a Ridenour, talk to Kessler and Sons in Las Vegas. Their new 2nd gen bass clarinet is a total beast. For $1,999, it plays as good as a pro selmer, buffet, or yamaha in my opinion. Ridenour instruments are good (especially their soprano clarinets ) but their bass frequently has problems with weak/bendy keys. The new Kessler bass has keys build like a tank that i couldnt bend even if i tried. The left hand low d is also light as a feather now. The whole thing sounds too good to be true but trust me, its real.
Musically yours,
Lukas
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Author: Toolaholic
Date: 2017-04-13 00:42
I could of saved $5000. My Yamaha 622 II was $6700 plus $300 Hammer woodwinds set up. However, perceived or not, there is something to be said about having grenadilla wood. So rich and elegant looking.
Post Edited (2017-04-13 00:44)
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