Contrabass Digest

2001-08-26

From: "Helen Kahlke"
Date: Sat, 25 Aug 2001 21:15:03 -0300
Subject: [CB] Bass & Contra Bass Saxophones

Owen you wrote:
 

How much would a bass sax, and/or, a contrabass sax cost from L.A. Sax or
any other company that is producing them now? Also, are the newer
productions of the bass and contrabass the same as older models, have
the newer ones been changed? Lastly, what would the aproximate cost be of
buying an older or authentic bass or contrabass sax be?

There are only a few companies that make new bass saxes, and only 1 that
makes new contrabasses in their traditional form.

The new Selmers and Keilworths are around the $20,000 & $16,000 price range
respectively. (Suggested retail price.) The waiting time is usually probably
around the 6 - 12 month period. To my knowledge, the only company to make a
traditionally shaped contrabass is Orsi from Italy. I believe that they also
make LA Sax's bass. I know that the LA Sax site has a mortgage calculator
for the contras. I vaguely remember something close to $40,000. The new
German made Tubax plays the same range as a contra, but is shaped
differently. You can also use a bari or bass mouthpiece on it, so it has
it's advantages. I believe the price on these was in the high 20s, depending
on the exchange rate on any given day.

The new bass and contras are definitely greatly improved as far as key work
goes. They go to high F at least, and most of them to high F#, whereas the
vintage horns would go to high Eb. Fighting the high-end is also something
of the past with the new horns. I've learned a lot of tricks to get the top
half of the range not only playing, but actually close to in tune and not
sounding stuffy.  (D2 on vintage basses is notoriously bad). I have not had
the chance to play a modern bass, so I can't compare the tone versus the
vintage ones. Also the improved keywork would open up the altissimo door a
bit more. Since there are not a lot of bass players around, most of us are
struggling with trying to figure out the altissimo fingerings. The newer
horns would also have the front F keys which would aide with the altissimo,
which would ultimately expand the horn's usefulness.

As far as price goes on vintage horns, I've only seen 1 contra for sale, and
that was on e-bay, but I don't think that it met reserve. From what I've
heard, there are only approximately 20 left in the world by most people's
estimations. The basses are certainly much more common. I've seen the price
spread from $3,000 to $10,000 depending on location, condition, plated
versus lacquered, accessories, case availability & condition, mouthpieces,
etc. etc.

I'm sure someone else on the list serve would know more, but maybe this is a
start....helen

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

Date: Sat, 25 Aug 2001 17:22:57 -0700
From: "David F."
Subject: Re: [CB] [CB Digest]
 

When was the Tarogato invented? Were there other members of
the family? maybe Bari-Taro, or Tenor. Even sopranino. I've
never seen or heard of anything other than the soprano.
Who invented it? Was it a slide-over (mind-meld) from france
mid 1800's or did it pre-date Sax?

Bass Oboe's sound different than a bassoon. What is a good
example of a recorded (available) musical piece that has
both Bass Oboe AND Bassoon?

Have there been any attempts at making wooden sarrusophones?

David F
---------------------------------------------------------

From: "Owen P-S"
Date: Sat, 25 Aug 2001 20:44:23 -0400
Subject: Re: [CB] Bass & Contra Bass Saxophones
 
 

Owen you wrote:

How much would a bass sax, and/or, a contrabass sax cost from L.A. Sax or
any other company that is producing them now? Also, are the newer
productions of the bass and contrabass the same as older models, have
the newer ones been changed? Lastly, what would the aproximate cost be of
buying an older or authentic bass or contrabass sax be?

 

There are only a few companies that make new bass saxes, and only 1 that
makes new contrabasses in their traditional form.

The new Selmers and Keilworths are around the $20,000 & $16,000 price range
respectively. (Suggested retail price.) The waiting time is usually probably
around the 6 - 12 month period. To my knowledge, the only company to make a
traditionally shaped contrabass is Orsi from Italy. I believe that they also
make LA Sax's bass. I know that the LA Sax site has a mortgage calculator
for the contras. I vaguely remember something close to $40,000. The new
German made Tubax plays the same range as a contra, but is shaped
differently. You can also use a bari or bass mouthpiece on it, so it has
it's advantages. I believe the price on these was in the high 20s, depending
on the exchange rate on any given day.

***
start....helen

Thanks alot, that really helped. I just have a couple more questions: where would you get reeds and mouthpeices for the bass and contrabass? and lastly, are vintage bass saxes and especially contrabasses very collectable, what I mean is, are there alot of people looking for them?
 

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

From: "Jean Adler"
Date: Sat, 25 Aug 2001 20:50:27 -0500
Subject: [CB] dave and s.d.

Now Dave, I too was kidding, although perhaps not as much as you.  And I
think I made a mistake the Vinegar Museum is in Roslyn not Rosholt and has a
website.  You can't make this stuff up.  It is actually fun AND educational.
SO, you say you lived in the Midwest, do you still?
Jean

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

Date: Sat, 25 Aug 2001 22:40:44 -0400
From: jim & joyce
Subject: Re: [CB] South Dakota

The badlands are way cool.  I remember the Wall drug signs
but didn't stop.  We did stop at the Corn Palace in
Mitchell.   Ummmm, maybe we should have hit the Wall Drug
instead.  I can see driving by the place.  The outside was
less tacky than a vintage New York City subway graffiti
special, but not much.  It looks really neat from across the
street.  Up close, it just looks like a bunch of varnished
ears of corn glued to a wall.  The inside looked like the
convention rooms in the basement of  an out of date
Marriot.  It did have a gift shop.  Otherwise, nothing to
see.  This was a drive by attraction.  On a par with seeing
a 50 foot jolly green giant rising up behind a Taco Bell.
(Which may have been South Dakota or maybe Minnesota.  But
who's counting.)
jim

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

From: "Jean Adler"
Date: Sun, 26 Aug 2001 10:01:25 -0500
Subject: Re: [CB] South Dakota

I believe the Jolly Green Giant is in LeSeur Minnesota not far from Mankato.
As per the Corn Palace the fact it is so out of date is part of its let's
say... charm?  Besides, where else but the Corn Palace can every has-been
performer play?  Oh wait, I think that's Branson.
J
 

***End of Contrabass Digest***

 
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