Contrabass Digest
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1998-08-31

 
list                           Mon, 31 Aug 1998           Volume 1 : Number 74

In this issue:
 

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Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 01:09:10 -0400
From: ROBERT HOWE <arehow@vgernet.net>
To: list@contrabass.com
Subject: Re: list V1 #73

I do not have a metal bass clarinet in my collection, altho I would like
to; but the question about the longest straight clarinet is one that I
can answer.  Adolphe Sax's revised bass clarinet was straight, range
only to E rather than to the modern Eb or C.   In clarients made in
modern times, I have a G soprano/alto clarinet, in metal, straight,
range to E.  "Bassett horns" in F are also made in straight models
extending only to low E, rather than to the C that a true Bassetto has
had since Mozart's days.

Robert Howe

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Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 09:52:49 -0700 (Pacific Daylight Time)
From: Frank D Diaz <Frank.D.Diaz@wdc.com>
To: list@contrabass.com,
    greggbailey@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: Bass clarinets

Greg, the longest clarinet that I've played is one pitched in low G, 1 whole tone lower
than the A clarinet. They are available from "Lark In The Morning", Mendicino, CA and cost
about $450.00. They only have Albert Systems available, though. Since the Basset Clarinet
in A goes to low C, it's still a little longer than the low G model.

For years, Leblanc offered a straight F Alto Clarinet to Low E. The neck was curved, but
the body and bell was just like a Bb Clarinet. Many old Leblanc publications have
photographs of this instrument. The last time I saw it offered for sale was in their 1983
catalog listed as a "Basset Horn to Low E" (not low C). They offered that model in the
usual shape, too.

I know Kohlert made quite few metal Alto and Bass Clarinets. All the ones I've seen were
made in the standard shape. If they were straight, you probably couldn't reach the keys !

Frank Diaz

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Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 12:07:26 -0500
From: Jean Adler <jean@cyberbean.com>
To: list@contrabass.com
Subject: Re: Bass clarinets

Frank D Diaz wrote:
> Greg, the longest clarinet that I've played is one pitched in low G, 1 whole tone lower
> than the A clarinet. They are available from "Lark In The Morning", Mendicino, CA and cost
> about $450.00. They only have Albert Systems available, though. Since the Basset Clarinet
> in A goes to low C, it's still a little longer than the low G model.
>
> For years, Leblanc offered a straight F Alto Clarinet to Low E. The neck was curved, but
> the body and bell was just like a Bb Clarinet. Many old Leblanc publications have
> photographs of this instrument. The last time I saw it offered for sale was in their 1983
> catalog listed as a "Basset Horn to Low E" (not low C). They offered that model in the
> usual shape, too.
>
> I know Kohlert made quite few metal Alto and Bass Clarinets. All the ones I've seen were
> made in the standard shape. If they were straight, you probably couldn't reach the keys !
>
> Frank Diaz
> ------------------------

Speaking of Kohlert Bass Clarinets.....What can anyone tell me about
them.  When they were made?  Is Kohlert still in business?  Are they
considered a quality instrument?  Is anyone in the market for one?
I own a very nice Kohlert Bass clarinet with Boehm system fingerings.
It is difficult to tell how old it is because the condition of it is so
good.
Thanks,
jean@cyberbean.com

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Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 12:32:37 -0700 (Pacific Daylight Time)
From: Frank D Diaz <Frank.D.Diaz@wdc.com>
To: list@contrabass.com,
    jean@cyberbean.com
Subject: RE: Re: Bass clarinets

Jean, I think most Kohlert clarinets date from the 1920's to WW2. I have a 1930 catalog
with wood Kohlert Alto and Basses in it. I've seen several Bassoon's that must have been
made post war, 1950's perhaps. I think Bassoons were there claim to fame. S.F State Univ.
owns a Kohlert Contra Bassoon.

You're lucky your Bass Clarinet is nice. Every one (and Bb's, too) that I and my friends
have worked on were not very good. The register key mechanism would make Rube Goldberg
proud, the surfaces of the tone holes are sometimes machined round, not flat and the key
cups often take pads of really bizarre thickness's. This makes putting new pads in an
adventure ! Most shops that I'm connected with don't hold Kohlert in very high regard. For
that matter, is there a German manufacturer of Boehm System clarinets that is know for its
quality ?

Frank

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Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 16:04:09 EDT
From: CoolStu67@aol.com
To: list@contrabass.com
Subject: EEb Contra clarinet

Hey everyone, I just got my Eb contra from the school today and it plays
great! It is a Selmer Bundy USA with a serial number of 7661. It looks pretty
old, but every note comes out wonderful! The only thing I've noticed is that
the difference between low E and low Eb isn't very great; what could be the
readon for this? I can not read the mouthpiece but I have read Mr. M-something
with a 3 under it... it looks like the Vandoren logo but has M's on it so it
can't be. Right now I'm using Rico bari sax reeds number 3 but hopefully I'll
be getting a box of Vandoren contrabass reads number 2... so, what mouthpiece
and reed combo is good for this instrument?

Stuart
- Alto sax
- Bass clarinet
- Eb Contrabass clarinet (YES!)

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End of list V1 #74
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