 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tdufka
Date: 2022-08-12 20:39
I am considering either the Buffet 1183R or 1185R bass clarinet, basically a Prestige or Tosca with the removable lower joint that allows the instrument to have D as the lowest note, or C.
Is there anyone here who has one of these and can comment on intonation of the instrument when in the low D configuration? I have recently heard some anecdotal info that removing the lowest piece throws off the intonation of the instrument.
Thanks,
Tim
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Author: WoodsyBloom
Date: 2022-08-14 09:34
Just out of curiosity, why is removing the lower part of the instrument useful?
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Author: ebonite
Date: 2022-08-14 14:20
WoodsyBloom wrote:
> Just out of curiosity, why is removing the lower part of the
> instrument useful?
I guess the argument would be that it means you can use a smaller case.
Also, if you are doing a gig where you don't need the lower notes, you could leave the lower extension at home, and save a bit of weight.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2022-08-15 09:44
>> I guess the argument would be that it means you can use a smaller case. <<
The original case is definitely smaller than a low C case, it looks like it's basically a low Eb with bell vent hole (or low D from bell) length, so a tweener sort of... nice but not a huge difference (the difference between the low Eb and low C Bam cases is 14cm).
>> Also, if you are doing a gig where you don't need the lower notes, you could leave the lower extension at home, and save a bit of weight. <<
Wondering how much that part weighs. It would be a smaller difference than a low C to low D bass since you'd still have almost all the long levers down to low C (the thumb keys).
Unless you almost never use it, it would be much more convenient to just keep it in the case and not assemble it when you don't need it. That's exactly why I do that with an extra half neck with a pickup that I don't use very often.
Weight only really matters if you play with a strap/harness and in those cases I think it does make a significant difference.
Re intonation issues, I guess the main one is from the last keyed tone hole to bell vent hole (and end of the bell) remaining the same, but changing from Eb to D to Db to C. It's pretty much the same when they use the same bell or low Eb and low C models.
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Author: ebonite
Date: 2022-08-15 10:26
clarnibass wrote:
>
> Re intonation issues, I guess the main one is from the last
> keyed tone hole to bell vent hole (and end of the bell)
> remaining the same, but changing from Eb to D to Db to C. It's
> pretty much the same when they use the same bell or low Eb and
> low C models.
Yes, I think that's the reason why low C# is flat on many low C bass clarinets.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2022-08-15 20:59
"Just out of curiosity, why is removing the lower part of the instrument useful?"
As well as those instances where you don't need low Db/C# or low C (and you do on other occasions), it will be useful having a convertible bass if you're playing somewhere that has chairs so low that you end up sat with your knees hitting your chin and a shorter bass will mean the mouthpiece isn't hitting you in the forehead if it was a regular Prestige/Tosca or similar low C bass with a bell key, or worse still if it's an older pre-'99 low C Prestige bass which has an even longer lower joint (with no bell key).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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