 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: grandpappy
Date: 2022-09-08 00:45
Hi everyone! My wife’s birthday is in a month, and I’d like to surprise her with her own bass clarinet. She has been playing soprano clarinet for about 7 years, and has been renting a beginner Selmer 1430 for about 4 years. The 70 dollar monthly rent is adding up, and it would also be nice to give her a step up instrument. Looking across the internet my options seem to be:
-Kessler and Sons Low C
-Yamaha YCL-621II (Used)
-Selmer Model 32 (2 repaired cracks) (Used)
-Anything else I missed at this range that would be better than the above 3.
The only instrument I’d be able to take out on a trial is the Kessler Low C (I guess that would ruin the surprise but whatever!), but the other 2 are in great playing condition. She also upgraded to a B50 mouthpiece and a nicer ligature. The Low C notes aren’t necessary and basic things like tone quality and ease of playing are the priority, but of course it would be nice to have.
Can you all share some insight into which would be the best choice, and how the Yamaha and Selmer compare to each other? Thanks!
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2022-09-08 07:34
I've owned a Ridenour low C, but traded it for a Ridenour low Eb, which does what I want it to, despite the persistent myth that the keywork is soft, and I've played several of the high-priced models.
Whichever horn you choose, unless you absolutely need it, I'd avoid any low C bass. The mechanisms are a bear to maintain.
B.
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2022-09-09 16:29
I have to disagree about the low C. It’s 2022, many if not most new pieces written for an intermediate to advanced ensemble including a part for bass clarinet will take advantage of the lower range. The mechanism is not that much harder to regulate, especially compared to the double register vent mechanism which any of the low Ebs mentioned will have anyway.
The Kessler is my top choice for a sub $3k bass clarinet.
-JDbassplayer
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2022-09-09 16:44
i would rather have a pro quality eb model than a student low c model. low c models are so overpriced and seldom seen are parts for these extra notes.
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2022-09-09 17:44
Dan,
Have you tried all the models mentioned above? The Kessler is definitely not a student level bass clarinet, it is orders of magnitude better that your average Bundy or Vito.
It's more rare that I see a piece that doesn't have at least a low D these days.
-JDbassplayer
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Author: Hunter_100
Date: 2022-09-09 18:21
Meridian Winds has their own version of these import low C basses called the Espressivo. I have not played it but I have read good things about them and Meridian does not sell junk...its probably similar to the Kessler and Ridenour ones.
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Author: MartyMagnini
Date: 2022-09-10 02:48
Michael Lowenstern recommends the Kessler bass clarinet as the best bass for under $3000.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oogvwQGIGZc
This video is a few years old, but I communicated with him very recently, and he still recommends the Kessler over any other sub-$3000 bass.
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Author: tucker ★2017
Date: 2022-09-10 20:15
I agree with JDbassplayer. I'm SO happy I invested in a low C instrument. I have no issues with maintenance, as so many people seem to think are innate with low C horns.
I also have a Ridenour Eb bass. It's pretty cheaply made. Constant issues with the neck vent. I would never buy another one.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2022-09-11 01:22
the extra length and weight also factor but i guess you have to have one nowadays to get work. sort of like a Bb bari sax and a low a model used to be
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Author: Max S-D
Date: 2022-09-13 23:30
I've played the Kessler for about 40 minutes in a practice room at the Kessler store in Vegas. I can't speak to its durability, but my playing impression from that session was that it's a very good instrument. It doesn't have the tone of my old Selmer model 33, probably similar to the 32 you are eyeing, but the keywork is honestly quite a bit better for the extension notes down to low C. I would also say the intonation in the right hand is a little better than the Selmer with no tuning rings. All bass clarinets I've played are at least a little sharp in the lower clarion range, but my Selmer can be pretty rough in there. I've had a tuning ring semi-permanently installed that gets things more under control, but out of the box, the Kessler wins.
I can still get around on my Selmer better than the Kessler, but I think I could take the Kessler anywhere I have ever taken my Selmer and nobody would really know the difference outside of maybe a jury or a very well-engineered recording. It's a good enough horn that a great player will sound great on it.
The Kessler family were also great to deal with and super friendly and happy to have me come play their horn even though I made it pretty clear up front I wasn't going to be buying one. Adam Kessler was very proud of the horn they were selling and was excited to get feedback from me about it. I've heard nothing but great things about their service for customers who actually buy things.
I'd also vote Low C. A lot of band literature goes down there these days and pretty much all the fun solo literature uses those notes in ways that just don't work up an octave. Plus you can read cello music! It'll be a whole step down, but if it's solo stuff, so why deny ourselves that rumble?
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