The Clarinet BBoard

Tested the Gear4Music (=Kessler?) Low C Bass

Author: Kalashnikirby  Date:   2018-05-16 13:14 Hi all, Out of sheer curiosity I've bought the G4M Bass, with their "30-day-money-back-guarantee" in mind, I just had try this one out and compare it to some other basses I've played. For now, I'll keep it short, but if you guys are willing, I'll post a more detailed review next week. Nevertheless, I wanted to give a few insights on why to probably buy the Ridenour, not the Kessler (or G4M). First let me explain that I'm 99% it's the same instrument like the Kessler: It's ABS, the case has these Backpack straps and identical layout, but the Kessler is a little more "deluxe" and the keywork design + pads are identical. Whether it's because this Instrument was declared as B-Stock or because the keys are bendy, the first problem was that the LH low D lever wouldn't work as the F/C lever was in the way, bent to the right. Then, some pad heights would have needed a little adjustment; the throad G# and throat A are about 20 cents too sharp, as the keys open to much (to my liking; maybe the tone holes are misdimensioned??) and this could be easily corrected, I guess. The pad cup for the chalumeau D was getting stuck in a somewhat complex mechanism, causing it not to fully rise and making the E too flat. Other than that, intonation was pretty decent and the notes spoke very well. Yet, it's missing something. By chance, I'm practising the Courante from the Cello Suite No.1 and this is the same piece that M. Lowenstern plays in his Ridenour review - I wondered, do I sound THAT bland in comparison? The answer is still yes, but on my Leblanc 430S, especially the low notes are much "fuller" and can produce a nice vibrato, which doesn't seem to be possible with the G4M. I suppose due to the different (Yamaha-copied) bore concept. So overall, intonation seems OK thus far and the instrument is very easy to play. But it definetely needs work on some key rods, despite having very little play and nicely set pads, actually. The use of cork pads one the register mechanism is ideal, and the others seem to be decent quality leather ones with resonators; the keys aren't as bendy as on other cheap chinese clarinets, but not as flexible as forged keys, so when they bend, they'll bend for good! There are some other caveats I should post later. And yet, it's a good instrument and these little corrections shouldn't be too expensive to have them done by an experienced technican. I simply found that it's tone is too mediocre, lacking dynamic possibilities and that they keywork might or might not be a huge risk factor, for we cannot know how smoothly it'll work after 1-2 years of use even without being bend a single time. Nevertheless, the keywork feels pretty solid and ergonomical. You see, there's a lot of antagonisms, I mean, the fact I paid 1,1€ for a low C instrument is crazy in itself, it shouldn't be possible for that instrument to be anywhere near good as it is. Did I mention the tone holes are undercut? Likewise, the Ridenour is still a great offer, but if the keys aren't significantly stronger, I wouldn't expect it to last long unless it's transported very carefully. If you guys like, I can attach sound files of me playing the Bach with my Leblanc and this instrument, but keep in mind I've been doing bass for only 3 months There are a few more pros and cons to post about this instrument, but that sums it up for now. Just take these YouTube reviews on the Kessler bass with a grain of salt, they're leaving far too much out. On the other hand, these guys didn't seem to have problems with bendy keys, or did they? Even if the Kessler bass is set up much better, it's going to have most of the issues I posted Best regards Christian

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