Contrabass Digest

2001-04-03

Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2001 16:14:58 -0700
From: Grant Green
Subject: [CB] Rothophones redux
 

While wandering around La Jolla this weekend with friends, we visited
the Atheneum, a library of art and music.  Grove's has pretty much
the same history of the rothophone that has already been recounted,
but suggests that Orsi changed the name to saxsarrusophone when it
acquired Roth's back inventory in an attempt to make it more
marketable.  Apparently, the instrument never caught on outside
Italy, and Orsi thought that the name, combining elements of
saxophone and sarrusophone, would be more attractive.  Grove's also
seems to imply that the rothophones were lighter and used a softer
reed, although the former may apply only to saxophones.

Thoughts?

Grant

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant Green
ecode:contrabass       http://www.contrabass.com
Professional Fool -> http://www.mp3.com/ProFools
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Date: Mon, 02 Apr 2001 22:47:10 -0700
From: bitwise
Subject: Re: [CB] Contra mouthpiece/harder reeds

Dave -
        Thanks for the good feedback.
        I can see the benefit of a longer facing in using harder reeds.
I guess I was thinking of softer reeds needing a more open facing
to prevent choking, and assumed the inverse relationship was
also true. In hindsight, it's obvious that vibrating length is a more
important factor. I wonder if a longer facing also helps control
squeaks, in that the longer vibrating length has a lower resonant
frequency.
        How much material did you remove from your Bundy 3 in
giving it a longer facing? The adjustments I have done so far have
been extremely conservative - maybe a few thousandths of an
inch removed along the edge of one rail, plus flattening the
table to eliminate an air leak in that area.
        In looking at a Rovner soprano ligature on ebay, the seller
reports that it is made of leather. I'm going to try making a
contra-sized one, as soon as I can figure out how to fasten the
material around the metal rods. Perhaps rubberized fabric would
be the way to go, as any one of a number of adhesives ought to
work.

Craig

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Date: Tue, 03 Apr 2001 05:02:21 EDT
From: BJacobs571
Subject: Re: [CB] Contra mouthpiece/harder reeds
 

        In looking at a Rovner soprano ligature on ebay, the seller reports that it is made of leather. I'm going to try making a contra-sized one, as soon as I can figure out how to fasten the material around the metal rods. Perhaps rubberized fabric would be the way to go, as any one of a number of adhesives ought to work.

Craig

I have Rovner ligitures on my Bb and my alto. They are made of a "rubberised cloth". The way the metal bars are joined to the cloth is that the cloth is doubled back and sowen up. The doubling goes under the main band so friction holds it in place against the mouthpiece which reduces the strain on the stiching. What may be worth trying is making metal plates like the ones on the Vandoren ligiture. they effect the way the reed vibrates by clamping it at different places. One insert has four "spikes" which press down onto the reed.

Bernard Jacobs
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Date: Tue, 03 Apr 2001 09:04:31 -0400
From: "John Webster"
Subject: Re: [CB] Contra mouthpiece/harder reeds

Rovner makes a contra sized ligerature.  Got it from WWBW to replace the Leblanc too large metal that came with my Vito BBb contr,  the Rovener is just fine (I also use them on my soprano and bass)
John

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