 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2014-11-26 15:18
Hi All,
I may need to upgrade my bass clarinet as the concert band I play in has asked me to slide over to the BC. While I have two OK instruments, I really need to to find an instrument that is well in tune above all.
The Ridenour seems to fit the bill nicely; however, I have seen A 442 problems mentioned with the Yamaha as well as a few tuning issues but I have played a couple of these instruments and they really are quite nice. I am not interested in a low C instrument and do not really want to drop $9-10K for a pro model.
Does any one have any current experience with either of these two instruments/
Thanks
HRL
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Author: kilo
Date: 2014-11-26 16:51
I'm looking at the Ridenour myself and found this old thread interesting:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=255566&t=255566
I'm presently playing a 221 II which I like very much except for the problem of the stuffy long B. (I'm hoping it's a micro-leak that my tech can fix). As far a tuning issues on the Yamaha, yes, you need to pull the neck out quite far but tuning in general is pretty good. I know there are certain notes which will be slightly off and if that note is prominent in a piece I'm playing I try to remember that and make embouchure "adjustments" on the spot.
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Author: Mike Blinn
Date: 2014-11-26 17:04
Hi Hank.
Like you I play clarinet in a community band, but I switched over to the bass a few years back. My main horn is a Yamaha BC 221 II, which I like very much, but I would prefer a superior one (not made out of plastic) since I am getting older and can afford whatever I like.
The Ridenour BC is made out of hard rubber and is under consideration by me. I owned a hard rubber Bb once, and I have good memories of it.
The least expensive wood BC is the Leblanc low Eb which is close to $6000. My main soprano is a Leblanc LX, and it is quite nice, with great intonation. I would expect their BC to be the same.
Mike Blinn
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2014-11-26 17:48
Kilo and Mike,
Thanks for the fast response; I appreciate it very much and your comments are most valuable.
I have a L200 LeBlanc clarinet and it is terrific; however, I do not know if that tuning excellence carries down to the lower clarinets. With the $6K versus $2K difference in price between the two BCs I mentioned and the LeBlanc, that would need to be a significant increase in quality.
But I have several Yamaha instruments (clarinets and saxes) in my arsenal; all are really top quality and at a modest price. And then, Tom Ridenour has come up some amazing instruments.
The quest continues.
HRL
PS While I'm at it, check this Dr. Michael Lowenstern video out. What a hoot!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ghMCiV8hTg
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Author: GLHopkins
Date: 2014-11-26 18:28
There is a difference in the Ridenour bass clarinet and the Lyrique bass clarinet that Tom Ridenour sells. Call Tom and get him to explain the difference.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2014-11-26 19:21
>> PS While I'm at it, check this Dr. Michael Lowenstern video out. What a hoot! <<
The problem with a shoelace is that, being a clarinet player, you would need your parents to tie it for you...
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Author: DavidB
Date: 2014-11-27 06:34
I have owned a Yamaha YCL221, a Yamaha YCL221 ll, and the Ridenour in the last 2 months. I bought the Ridenour new, for $2000 and it plays very well but had a problem with the double octave key because a post was loose and played much better after that was fixed. I felt like the Yamaha's were made better and also has great sound. I didn't see any difference in the Yamahas, so I sold the ll and the Ridenour, and am enjoying the YCL221. Dave Brook
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2014-11-27 06:56
Hi Dave,
Thanks for this intel; you have certainly had exactly the right kind of equipment experience I have been looking for. I have been zeroing in on the Yamaha for quite some time as the better instrument for my needs.
Also, my favorite tech is a Yamaha dealer and I would like to continue the good will I have with him as long as possible. Although he is a hour away, making that drive is a lot easier than sending an instrument back to TX for adjustment.
Now to figure a way get the Yamaha into the house without my wife seeing it. I would know I was not successful if she said something like "what's in that cute little green case..."
HRL
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Author: Wes
Date: 2014-11-27 10:07
Hi Hank!
It is good to read of your BC interests as I also play it a little. In 1986, I constructed a slide bass clarinet that almost reaches the bottom of the piano and made some recordings of it. It would not serve your purposes, however. A future project is an even lower instrument, designed but not built, called the HomeDepotPhone, to cover those very low notes, that few people ask me to play.
With a recent aortic valve replacement and a bypass operation, I'm doing well. I fondly recall dinner with you a few years ago. Regards, Wes.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2014-11-27 15:34
Hi Wes,
Great to hear from you and to know you are well. Still working with the LA Police Band?
I think you need to get in touch with Dave Spiegelthal about your HomeDepotPhone. He has created some interesting instruments like the FrankenPhone BC among others. DS is a Master of PVC (MOP) and of welding long rods.
You are correct that the SBC (Slide Bass Clarinet) would probably not work for me. The music requires a bit more musical precision. But I am sure we all applaude your efforts.
Best,
Hank
PS Yes, we had a great dinner together. The high point was you having me play test the oboe reeds you fixed for me on your Loree in the front seat of your car. But hey, that's LA, right?
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Author: buedsma
Date: 2014-11-27 16:16
i played ridenour , wooden Leblanc old model , Selmer Bundy and a Jupiter . For me it was the Jupiter that was the easiest to play
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2014-11-29 16:04
Hi All,
No one has mentioned the tunable neck and the double register key on the Ridenour BC as a reason to to select it over the Yamaha.
Are these features that I really need?
HRL
Post Edited (2014-12-01 16:49)
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Author: dibble
Date: 2014-11-30 01:31
When I bought my lyrique bass clarinet about 7 years ago I had many problems with it. The pads were not stable because of cheap glue behind the pads. When I emailed Tom about it, he called me "heavy handed." When I got an overhaul with shellac behind the pads, it became a decent horn. I put a lot of money into it.
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