Contrabass Digest

To subscribe or unsubscribe, email gdgreen@contrabass.com

 
 

1999-12-23

 
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 19:05:48 -0500
From: bulshevik <bulshevik@home.com>
Subject: Re: The Eb Contraalto Clarinet
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com

The Contraalto!!!  You've hit a soft spot in my heart.  I played an
$8,000 silverplated Rosewood Selmer contra in high school and forever
will I love that beast!  I, too, am certain it existed long before
1975.  My high school was built in 1966, and at that time had a large
and new budget for the band program.  They purchased both a Selmer Bb
bass and  Eb Contraalto in 1966.

Abi Tenenbaum

lawrence johns wrote:
>
> CONTRABASS@contrabass.com
> =========================
> *
>
> Ok you clarinet people. Here's your chance.When did they start making
> the Eb Contraalto clarinet? I have the book The Clarinet and Saxophone
> book
> written in 1975 by Berger,and there
> is no picture of that instrument in the book.There is a pic of all of
> the other types of clarinets from the Eb soprano clarinet to the Bb
> contrabass-but no contraalto? Just wondering.Also, in relation to the
> saxophone, which sax
> has the equivalent range of this nice instrument? Clarify this
> clarinet-okay
>                    Larriman
>         Baritone sax,Bass sax
>                 Bass Clarinet
>
> -Lawrence "Larry" E. Johns-
>
> ----------------------
> end contrabass list
---------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 18:12:34 -0600
From: Peter Koval <pkoval@usd.edu>
Subject: Re: The Eb Contralto Clarinet
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com

> When did they start making the Eb Contraalto clarinet?

    Adolphe Sax took out a Belgian patent for clarinette-basse, contrebass et
bourdon [bass, Eb contrabass and Bb contrabass clarinets) in 1838--Patent No. 1051
requested 21st June 1838, granted 1st July 1838 (see Haine, Adolphe Sax, 1980).
Presumably these models were all made of wood--I have the patent somewhere but it
is packed away since I moved house and will not see the light of day for several
more months).
    Sax later took out a French patent (No. 11981 requested 30th June1851 and
granted 15th September 1851) for a contrabass clarinet made of brass, and price
lists illustrate such an instrument which was described as an Eb contrabass
clarinet . This model was also exhibited at the 1851 Exposition Universelle de
Londres and 1855 Exposition Universelle de Paris under the name Eb Contrabass
clarinet (all reported by Haine as above citing references such as Exhibition
catalogues and contemporary newspaper reports).
    This is the earliest model that springs to mind, but I have not undertaken any
recent studies on the clarinet family, as my Master's thesis (1997) and Doctoral
dissertation (1999) focussed on the saxophone family.
Regards,
Peter Koval
pkoval@usd.edu

>
>
>
>
>
>

---------------------------------------------------------

From: lawrencejohns@webtv.net (lawrence johns)
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 20:31:25 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Re: The Eb Contralto Clarinet
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com

If the modern Eb contraalto clarinet was made before the book of 1975,
and I do believe this is true myself,  why in the world would have Berger,
the author, forgotten to mentioned it in the family of clarinets? Doesn't it
sound odd to you? I was thinking of buying a clarinet that would be in
the same range of the bass sax. I know I always felt the baritone sax and the
bass clarinet were pretty close in the range department.Thanks clarinetists
                  Larriman
         baritone sax,bass sax
               bass clarinet

-Lawrence "Larry" E. Johns-

---------------------------------------------------------

From: CoolStu67@aol.com
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 21:39:50 EST
Subject: Selmer Contras
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com
Obviously Leblanc is more predominant with contra clarinets (because of cost
and portability?), but I would think wooden contrabasses would sound nicer.
How do Selmer's Eb and Bb contrabass sound compared to Leblanc's versions?
And why has Leblanc chosen to use metal on their straight models? I've talked
with a person on this list that even a plastic Vito sounds nicer than the
Leblanc metal, although the Leblanc is more refined mechanically. What do
people think about this?

Stuart
Happy on my paperclip contra...

<<
 I played an
 $8,000 silverplated Rosewood Selmer contra in high school and forever
 will I love that beast! >>
---------------------------------------------------------

From: CoolStu67@aol.com
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 21:46:55 EST
Subject: Re: The Eb Contralto Clarinet
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com
Loosely,

Clarinet-Sax
Ab Sopranino-Eb Sopranino
Eb Soprano-Bb Soprano
Bb Soprano-Eb Alto
Eb Alto-Bb Tenor
Bb Bass-Eb Baritone
Eb Contralto-Bb Bass
Bb Contrabass-Eb Contrabass

Stuart

<<
 I was thinking of buying a clarinet that would be in
 the same range of the bass sax. I know
 I always felt the baritone sax and the
 bass clarinet were pretty close in the
 range department.Thanks clarinetists
>>
---------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 22:10:45 -0500
From: jim and joyce <lande@erols.com>
Subject: metal clarinets
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com

Bulshevik got some of it right.

Metal clarinets were first made in the early 1800s.  LeBlanc continued
to offer its metal Noblet Bb through 1972.   Virtually all, however,
were made between the WWs.   No question, they were shipped by the ton,
and most were student quality instruments.  The one posted as a sax was
made by Cundy Bettoney.  The Three Star and the Cadet were common CB
student models.  They also made a Columbia model which they sold as an
intermediate instrument and the Silva Bet, which they sold for $135 and
up.  (Same price as their best wood clarinet.  Think 1933 dollars.
Think a ton of money.)   Unfortunately, the one posted is missing the
barrel, and so, is worthless.

    I have a pair of Silva Bets (Bb & Eb) and enjoy them very much.   Is
the Bb as good as my Buffet R13 --- well, no.   But it is far and away
better than my Bundy.  Several other makers made top quality
instruments.   I use the Silva Bet way more than my R13.  Tin ear.
Maybe.

    Why were metal clarinets replaced by plastic?  I don't know, but I
can guess.  First, many of the student metal clarinets were sold to
schools rather than individuals.   By the early 1950s many schools had
inventories of beat up, abused, poor playing horns.  These were not good
advertising.  Also, I would guess that a plastic horns are much nicer
for marching band,   Also, I suspect that metal clarinets needed a lot
more welding/soldering than plastic clarinets, i.e. cost more to make.

    I have restored an American Gloritone, a Revere and a Henry Farny.
Don't buy a Revere.  .As to old metal student models compared with
current plastic -- the better student metals have much better keywork
than my Bundy.  The keys on that bundy are cheap and soft.  Playing in
tune and tone quality -- I'm not sure there is much difference.  Cost:
new Bundy=$400.   Good quality student metal $60 on eBay plus $150 for
an overhaul.  Both fine for outdoors, marching, camping, etc.   And, if
your clarinet is going to take a bullet for you, well, I know which one
I would choose.

jim lande
 
 

---------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 22:49:06 -0500
From: bulshevik <bulshevik@home.com>
Subject: Re: Selmer Contras
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com

I can compare only the Vito and Selmer contraaltos, and there's not much
to be said.  The vito was much more awkward, stuffy, exceedingly harder
to play, but maybe it just needed a tune-up.  The "break" was nearly
impossible to play, but I could get equally high on both instruments.

Abi Tenenbaum

CoolStu67@aol.com wrote:
>
> CONTRABASS@contrabass.com
> =========================
> *
>
> Obviously Leblanc is more predominant with contra clarinets (because of cost
> and portability?), but I would think wooden contrabasses would sound nicer.
> How do Selmer's Eb and Bb contrabass sound compared to Leblanc's versions?
> And why has Leblanc chosen to use metal on their straight models? I've talked
> with a person on this list that even a plastic Vito sounds nicer than the
> Leblanc metal, although the Leblanc is more refined mechanically. What do
> people think about this?
>
> Stuart
> Happy on my paperclip contra...
>
> <<
>  I played an
>  $8,000 silverplated Rosewood Selmer contra in high school and forever
>  will I love that beast! >>
> ----------------------
> end contrabass list
---------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 23:25:34 -0400
From: "Robert S. Howe" <arehow@vgernet.net>
Subject: Re: The Eb Contraalto Clarinet
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com

I once owned a grenadilla Selmer contralto clarinet in Eb, double
register key, made in 1934.  Why I ever sold it I cannot figure, it
plays like a son of a gun.

Robert Howe
---------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 23 Dec 1999 10:20:21 +0100
From: Alberto Pinton <alberto.pinton@zeta.telenordia.se>
Subject: few questions,millennium greetings
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com

Hi there,
 I've a few questions for you experts out there:
-even though I'm not a collector all of my horns happen to be quite old.
Do you know where to look to find out the exact date of production?
The brands I'm talking about
are:Selmer(saxes,clarinets),Buffet(clarinets),Haynes-Gemeinhardt(flutes),a
King saxello and a Buescher C melody...
-any suggestions as to what mouthpiece'd work best on the saxello? I'm not
a legit player and I'm using a Selmer rubber H, which is definitely not a
large chamber mouthpiece but that's all I got right now...
-I also need a case for the saxello, any info besides the 'do-it-yourself'
possibility?
BTW, I'm finding the daily 'Contrabass discussions' very interesting and
informative, even the ones on the
M***...word that went on for a little while...I know I know, shouldn't have
mentioned it.
To Everybody, Sincere Season Greetings and hope your children of all ages
are satisfied with their presents(I certainly hope mine will, it makes
'life after Santa' so much easier).
Thank you
Alberto
 

---------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 23 Dec 1999 14:38:56 -0800
From: Grant Green <gdgreen@contrabass.com>
Subject: Fwd: Vito contrabass clarinet FS
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com

Just received this: anyone interested?

Grant
 

>From: "best music" <bestmusic@value.net>
>To: <gdgreen@contrabass.com>
>Date: Thu, 23 Dec 1999 14:17:25 -0800
>X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3110.1
>X-RCPT-TO: <gdgreen@contrabass.com>
>
>Hi!  This is Cory from Best Music Co. in Oakland, CA.  We have a contrabass
>clarinet by Vito in stock.  I know they take about 18 months to order,  so I
>thought you might know someone who would be interested...you can call me at
>(510)832-2024 or email at bestmusic@value.net.  Thanks a lot!  Happy
>holidays.

 
Next Digest ->
Previous Digest <-
Index
Top