 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Clarinetmama2007
Date: 2022-11-15 05:07
Good evening everyone- my daughter has a Normandy bass clarinet. We think it is dated to the 70's. She doesn't like it.
She also plays a selmer in her HS band. And she marches with it. (She likes it)
She is ready to upgrade to a better bass clarinet, but I am looking for something that won't break my back acct. Her private instructor and her band teachers agree she needs an upgrade but neither can point me in the right direction.
Any ideas?
TIA
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Author: JamesOrlandoGarcia
Date: 2022-11-15 07:06
The Royal Max is the new go to for this kind of player. I think they are around $4500 and are well built.
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Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2022-11-15 07:40
You may also want to check out Ridenour Bass Clarinets as well as Kessler & Sons. Both have models around $2,000 or so.
Actually, if you go with Ridenour's Low-Eb Bass, it'll probably be about $2,000. Add a little more if you want one of his professional level mouthpieces.
https://www.rclarinetproducts.com/lyrique-925e-bass-clarinet
And to keep up the impartiality, here's the link for Kessler & Sons for their models which are similarly priced:
https://www.kesslerandsons.com/clarinets/bass-clarinets/
I believe that both models from both companies are made from natural hard rubber. Hard rubber, with great acoustics, can outperform traditional wood clarinets and they won't crack. However, if their teachers aren't familiar with natural hard rubber (which professional mouthpieces are made from), she may face a bit of scrutiny.
https://www.rclarinetproducts.com/the-grenadilla-myth
This video from Tom Ridenour is called "Something I don't understand" which talks a bit about educator attitudes. It would be worth reviewing. It's only 13 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN48wlBC-xo
(I'm sorry that I don't remember how to do hyperlinks in this forum.)
Getting back into playing after 20 years.
Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Vandoren M15 Profile 88 (non-13) mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum Silver ligature (plate 1)
Vandoren blue-box #3.5 reeds
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Author: Max S-D
Date: 2022-11-16 01:43
If you get something nice and she continues to march on the bass clarinet, keep the old one for outdoor purposes and use the new one for playing indoors where it matters. Not like anyone is hearing a bass clarinet in a marching band anyways.
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Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2022-11-16 03:06
For outdoor purposes, a hard rubber bass clarinet won't matter due to temperature changes since they are dimensionally stable.
It would be the way instruments can often be handled in and out of trucks and busses that would cause me to be more cautious with it for marching band purposes.
Getting back into playing after 20 years.
Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Vandoren M15 Profile 88 (non-13) mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum Silver ligature (plate 1)
Vandoren blue-box #3.5 reeds
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2022-11-17 02:14
Meridian Winds in Okemos, Michigan also imports a very good house brand low C bass clarinet with a synthetic body, that is very good.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2022-11-17 05:28
I second Ralph's advice about Meridian. And each instrument is gone over before a customer tryout. Eric and his crew are top notch.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2022-11-18 00:10
Clarinetmama2007 wrote:
"...my daughter has a Normandy bass clarinet. We think it is dated to the 70's. She doesn't like it...
She is ready to upgrade to a better bass clarinet, but I am looking for something that won't break my back acct. Her private instructor and her band teachers agree she needs an upgrade but neither can point me in the right direction."
I would suggest to at least try to find out what is wrong (if anything) with the existing instrument.
What is the reason your daughter does not like Normandy?
Is it sound quality?
Is it too resistant?
Is it hard to blow?
The Normandy may need a tune-up or an overhaul. It may play better than a new bass after an overhaul (a new one most likely will need a tune-up in a year or two anyway).
I still get surprised how my band mates can play their severely leaking instruments, with Teflon tape wrapped around tenons and rubber bands replacing key springs.
Yes, they play their clarinets but spend so much more effort then should be needed.
Maybe, your daughter needs a different mouthpiece (in addition to her bass overhauled).
New clarinet- I wold suggest contacting Michael Lowenstein at <earspasm.com>
He is an extremely knowledgeable bass/soprano clarinet player and sells different brands/models of basses.
His shop is in NYC. Considering that a bass easily could cost a few $K, you may consider going to his shop (or a similar one where you live).
IMO, when spending a lot of money, I would try to get an advice from a professional player.
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