From: "David Neubauer - Magic to Blow Your Mind! - www.dnmagic.com"
Subject: [CB] paperclip stand
Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 16:41:29 -0800
I play my contra standing up for featured solos (I play it in a
big band and they have a few numbers that feature the contra all the
way through, so I needed a stand that could convert from sitting to
standing (and vice-versa) quickly.
Oh, it's a contrabassoon. I made my own stand (it looks
pretty good and I added some touches that make it very practical and
easy as can be). Willy, if you (or anyone else on the list) are
interested, please email me off list and I'll send a few pictures and
details on the 'extras'.
David
> Hello all, a question for the
paperclip contra players out there:
>
> When you are playing the contra
either standing or sitting, what do you
> use to prop it? A
stand? A stool? Or do you just rely on the peg? Is
> it long enough for either
sitting or standing position?
>
> Can anyone give me some specific
details? I am thinking of getting a
> paperclip so I am considering
the practical issues.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Willy
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Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 20:55:35 -0500
From: Graham Nasby
Subject: Re: [CB] [CB Digest]
Hi Willy,
I have a Leblanc 340. I always play it sitting down with
the weight of the instrument taken by the floor peg. I, however,
do also use a 2 hook bass clarinet strap for extra security. The
340 is so fragile and getting it fixed so expensive, that I never take
any chances.
A word of advice: NEVER NEVER lend your paperclip contrabass
clarinet to anyone, even if they are a professional. In fact don't let
it out of your sight! If it gets knocked over or dropped by a mistake,
it's easily a >$1000 repair. Unfortunately I learned this lesson
from personal experience... Hence, even when I am using it, I also do
so sitting, with a floor peg and the 2 hook bass clarinet. I've
also got a cool custom and very secure stand for it that my dad made
for me :)
Graham
---------------------------------------------------------
From: "John Kilpatrick"
Subject: Re: [CB] [CB Digest]
Date: Sat, 26 Mar 2005 13:29:04 -0000
I sit in a normal chair, use the peg, and don't use a strap (but
I take care not to let go!). The screw that held the peg was useless -
the peg was always slipping. I've now borrowed a screw from my Elu
router set-up - it's brass with a rounded end and a slightly larger
top, and grips the peg really well. I sometimes take a 2" block of wood
with me in case the chair is too high and the peg thereby too short -
the block fits OK in the case, between the vertical tubes/keywork.
John K
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From: Ken Shaw
Date: Sat, 26 Mar 2005 09:31:27 EST
Subject: [CB] Contrabass Peg
I play my Leblanc BBb contra seated with the peg on the
floor. It's plenty long enough to reach. However, it makes
the instrument difficult to lay down on the floor and dangerous to put
on the chair during a break without loosening the peg and pushing it
in.
This in turn is difficult due to the poor design of the peg,
holder and tightening screw. The holder is cylindrical, as is the
peg, and both are nickel coated, which makes them slide unless the
screw is extremely tight. The screw (at least on my 1965
instrument) has a small wingnut head that is difficult (and painful) to
hold.
I solved that by putting silicon surgical tubing over the
wings. I believe the current model has a largish knurled
disk. If that's too hard to tighten, you can wrap several
wide rubber bands around it.
Back when the chairs were larger (and I was smaller), I used to
extend the peg only about an inch below the bottom and rest it on the
seat of my chair.
Ken Shaw
***End of Contrabass Digest***