C-bass

[zgatt]

Where can I buy a C-bass sax? (not fish) (not contra, but tuned to "C") Someone make one that takes my favorite bari mouthpiece and I'll be interested, for playing in non-wind combos. Anyone?

[markieg]

Eppelsheim.com - They make Eb contrabass and soprillos. I don' t know that C basses are made, but if any freakish-like instrument such as a C bass were made, I would first point my finger at them. Check around and maybe you'll find it. Good luck.

[Media Lint]

Why? If I was to buy a bass I'd go for the extra notes, and I'm comfortable playing in Bb. I don't think it exists. I can't see the demand besides you two ;)

[zgatt]

Two reasons are non-transposing with strings/piano, and (similar) to cover trombone/tuba. Just to avoid having to attempt to explain tuning to a guitar player would be a huge benefit in itself.

I surfed once to try to figure out why, historically, these are tuned to Bb and Eb. There were various theories, probably it simply followed the clarinet & trumpet, though I don't know why those are Bb. Did Sax comment?

I guess we're stuck with it (as the attempts to introduce others have failed miserably), but C and F would have been better as far as I can tell. The bari/bass sax range and use is more in line with low brass and now (w/amplification) bass strings, which follow the non-transposing (and F) convention.

j

PS I'm glad to finally meet the guy who speaks for all sax players.

[cmelodysax]

zgatt, couldn't agree more - this is part of something I just posted on the C-Melody forum...

"..........so no more transposing - we can all read the same music and call out the same chord sequences. And, as I also play flute, no more Eb/Bb/C perfect (?) pitch problems when improvising and swapping instruments...."

I can play what I 'hear' without mentally allowing for the fact I'm playing Eb or Bb instruments. But then, I'm just an oddball who plays C-Melody sax, C-clarinet and flute. The only way I'll use alto, tenor or Bb clari now is for section work or with other horns where the parts are already transposed.

To each his own.... Regards, Alan.

[markieg]

OK, I never said I was interested, but I was just giving suggestions. Although I do have to admit it is somewhat interesting. This page says they have been produced:
http://home.stny.rr.com/saxpage/saxes.html
This is te best page I know of that talks of these:
http://home.worldonline.nl/~t875094/saxgb/typesax.html
Anyways, that's all I know.

[cmelodysax]

I kown this is a tiny bit off-topic, but haven't wind instruments got difficult to integrate in the home. I've taught kids who end up (thro' their school) playing clarinet, flute or alto sax. (Bb, C and Eb !)
Poor old parents may have to buy up to three versions of music for each if (for example) they have combinations of those and the kids naturally want to play together. Nice little earner for the music publishers....

[markieg]

http://saxontheweb.myforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=4544
Posted on this very site:
Have read about C-Basses pre-1900, and the new Subcontrabass Tubax is said to be available in both BBb and CC versions!
I've heard these run around $16000.

[Pete]

I just posted my responses from the Eppelsheim company. See also http://saxontheweb.myforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=651