 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bradfordlloyd
Date: 2023-01-26 19:59
So, I've loved my Kessler 2nd Generation bass clarinet. It plays well, it's a great value, and overall it does pretty much what I need it to do. I'm satisfied most of the time. However....there are a few basic manufacturing quality issues...
For example, I'm now buying my second replacement neck because the first two (Chinese made) necks have suddenly broken in the middle. The knurl nut also had to be replaced when it just broke off in my hand one day. And various corks and bumpers seem to fall off or disappear frequently.
So far, I've been able to cheaply buy replacements (given the availability of the necks and other pieces online) or do the minor repairs myself. The costs probably haven't been any more than keeping a more expensive bass clarinet in good repair and adjustment, so I guess that's a good thing.
But having the neck break unexpectedly at a rehearsal definitely wasn't something I'd planned for!
Is anyone else having these kinds of issues? How are you dealing with them?
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2023-01-26 20:11
Attachment: IMG_0249.jpg (104k)
Bradfordloyd,
I would not feel too bad about your bass neck issues with the Kessler. Here are photos of the neck on my Selmer Model 65 after just a couple of months. Indeed, right in the middle of a rehearsal.
HRL
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2023-01-26 20:32
Attachment: selmer bell.jpg (976k)
The neck breaking is definitely a common one on Chinese bass clarinets, instead of a replacement just have a tech solder it properly and it will be good to go.
For the floor peg nut, just buy a stainless steel M6 knurled bolt like this:
https://www.mcmaster.com/92558A200/
Also had good luck with these, get the M6 by 12mm one:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803886078245.html
The good news is that I haven't seen any other major issues with them, if you get these two issues sorted out you should be okay.
Obviously this is a quality control problem, but even Selmer and Yamaha have problems like this on their high end bass clarinets. Recently I've fixed both a Yamaha 622 and a Selmer Privilege where a joint failed because not enough solder was used. It is unfortunately just a problem with many mass produced bass clarinets.
-JDbassplayer
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Author: bradfordlloyd
Date: 2023-01-26 23:55
Wow...I'm shocked that this happens on high end necks/horns as well! If I spent $10k+ for a horn, this would drive me crazy.
Thanks for the helpful advice and context. Much appreciated.
I guess I'll learn how to solder. Seems like a skill I can use anyway. Any particular kind of solder or flux recommended? Is this actually brazing since I want it to hold?
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2023-01-27 00:36
I would probably recommend taking it to a tech. Soldering is a skill and it takes experience to make a clean solder joint with no gaps or excess.
But if you must, my favorite solder to use for necks and bells is 63-37. You do not want the lead free (plumbing) stuff and it cannot be rosin core. Harbor Freight is the only place I can find this solder reliably, but unfortunately you have to buy it in a large $20 roll. The secret to success is that the joint must be very clean and the fit must be tight with no gaps. For flux I just use the paste stuff from the hardware store. For a torch I use a simple propane torch, though many techs prefer butane. With any torch you have to be careful about not getting the part too hot otherwise the other solder joints will fail or worse the solder will actually start to dissolve the brass which can render the part unfixable. I would do lots of practice with scrap brass and junk instruments before you even think of trying to repair your neck yourself. Or better yet see if you can find a local repair tech that can give you lessons on soldering.
-JDbassplayer
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Author: Ed
Date: 2023-01-27 02:03
I recall that a bunch of years back I had a very nice Selmer bass that had the same problem of the neck solder joint fail. Thankfully it was not at a rehearsal performance.
Kessler is very responsive and always aiming to improve their products. Make sure you reach out to them.
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Author: smokindok
Date: 2023-01-27 05:09
I will join in the chorus.
My mid-70's Selmer Paris bass clarinet failed at that same solder joint in its first year or two. Careful repositioning and a few wraps with electrical tape got me through a few gigs before I could get it repaired properly. It was actually quite stable with the temporary repair and played perfectly fine.
After being resoldered by a good tech, it has gone over 45 years with no problems. It WAS rather disconcerting to have that happen to a fairly new instrument from a reputable maker!
John
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2023-01-27 10:53
I'd definitely reach out to Dave Kessler regarding this situation. He's been extremely responsive whenever I've made enquiries regarding gear I've purchased from his dealership.
If this has been a widespread issue, Dave would have had his supplier address it, and he just might have redesigned replacement necks on hand to address situations like yours.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2023-01-27 14:02
I had to re-solder at least two Selmer Privilege bass clarinet necks, in the first few years since they were bought new. In those cases it was always the mouthpiece socket rather than the middle tenon. There's always a chance but considering how rare soldered parts falling off actually is...
Even as cheap as these Chinese necks are, re-soldering it would probably cost significantly less.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-02-02 02:44
The good thing with nickel plate (and I'm assuming these Kessler basses are nickel plated like most of these Chinese basses), then the resoldering job, if done well and by a competent tech, will show hardly any signs of it having been broken and then resoldered. Any soft solder residue on the surface is fairly easy to remove from nickel plate through careful polishing because of how hard nickel plate is, provided the plating has been done well and was done to a decent thickness.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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