 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: alexandrajones01
Date: 2023-03-31 23:21
Hi all:)
I own a Yamaha 221 Low Eb Bass and am a bit turned off playing it since loaning a Low C Buffet Prestige (unsurprisingly…). Is it worth selling the bass / exchanging it for an old low Eb wood model e.g. boosey/leblanc/noblet?
I don’t know if anyone else dislikes these ebonite basses (especially in the upper clarion), or if it’s just a player problem!
Alexandra x
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2023-04-01 00:00
None of those would really be a significant upgrade (except maybe the Boosey depending on the model, but even then it would not be a huge upgrade), what you really want is something with a double register vent mechanism.
I would hold on to it and save up for a Royal Max or Kessler. A low C is pretty much standard these days in many settings so no sense in upgrading to something without an extension.
-JDbassplayer
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-04-01 14:12
Just to clarify one thing - Yamaha don't make instruments from ebonite, they use ABS resin for the bodies on their plastic 20/200 series instruments (and used to use phenolic resin before that). They only use ebonite for Custom series mouthpieces and also the bore lining on the 800 series Duet+ oboes and bassoons.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: donald
Date: 2023-04-01 15:52
I am a professional musician, and I LOVE the bass clarinet but barely get to practise/play it these days (it doesn't help having a 16 month old daughter). I own a Buffet bass to low E flat, and have access to two Buffet low C basses that I can borrow when necessary.
I'd prefer to own my own low C bass, that's true, but it is really useful having my own quality bass, and being able to play that then switch to a low C bass a few days before a concert works just fine.
If I were to buy a bass these days, I'd probably look at the Royal Global "Max" composite bass (about $4,000, so even though it's pretty cheap for a pro bass, it's still a lot more expensive than your Yamaha).
Post Edited (2023-04-02 14:42)
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Author: Djudy
Date: 2023-04-01 16:03
Thanks for the good advice JDbass. I'm hovering on the brink about getting a bass to broaden my options for group playing since the alto is in such limited demand but have hesitated because it's a big investement and I'm not sure I'm going to find the bass parts as satisfying as the alto. While used bass are rare on the second hand market here, at this moment there are several for sale on leboncoin that have tempted me but I'm glad I've held back so far as I'd probably wind up in the same place as Alexandra, wishing for more from the instrument (several have been offered after a 'move up' by the seller). Guess I'll just have to save up and wait for a "grape vine" sale of a Prestige.
And thanks to Alexandra for asking the question that has been on my mind !
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