[Rojarosguitar]

Hello, I'm just researching the options to buy a bass clarinet. I see there are shorter (lowest note Eb) and longer (resp. C) variants.

Obviously the big divider here is the price. But if price was no issue what are the pros and cons of each choice? Maybe in terms of sound or mechanical stability? What are your thoughts about this?
Thanks for advice!

 

[mijderf]

Try checking out these earlier discussion threads on this topic:
https://forum.saxontheweb.net/gtsea...ww.saxontheweb.net/&ref=&ss=11769j10665519j28

 

[lomaserena]

Unless you're going to be playing in a Symphonic Band or good community orchestra, I'd go with low E flat, lighter, MUCH cheaper, less mechanical issues. Those extra three notes come at a high price. If money's no object, then consider whether you'll be playing sitting or standing. You CAN play standing with a low C, with either a stout neck/shoulder strap or a long peg, but a low E flat is easier. Some players claim differences in tone quality; I've never found any, although your low E flat on a low C horn will be better quality.

 

[dirty]

If you want to play advanced modern solo/chamber/orchestral literature, then the Low C is a necessity. Can't play David Lang's "Press Release" or Marc Mellits's "Black" without the extension notes. I guess you could, but they wouldn't make much sense...

If you're in the vast majority of people who aren't trying to do that, then the Low C isn't necessary to have fun playing the instrument. I love my Low C bass and can play it standing without issue, but I played a low Eb horn for years and could get by just fine for most of the wind ensemble, pit orchestra, jazz band, clarinet quartet, etc. situations where I've brought the bass clarinet.

A bigger deciding factor might be what you can get in your budget. For the longest time, if budget was any concern at all, it would be a low Eb instrument, but the Kessler low C bass priced at $2200 sort of changes that equation. It's a great horn.

 

[Rojarosguitar]

Thanks for the contributions ... I'll think about that. Somehow I'm drawn to the low C think for no apparent reason I could rationally. I ask myself where these Kessler low C clarinets are made, or put it differently, it's almost certain to me that it's some China factory that makes them. As Kessler doesn't sell them outside of the US and Canada, I wonder if there is an equivalent under a different brand name here, like Forest Jin Ming aka Eastman (not Andreas Eastman!)?

 

[dirty]

The Kessler is made in China. You could probably find an equivalent instrument, but I don't know where.

 

[Benny]

PM me if you want the contact details of the factory where the Kessler basses are made. The price I was quoted for 1 unit was very good indeed.
(I’m unsure whether it’s appropriate to post them publicly)

 

[Gulo gulo]

As someone whose main instrument is the basset horn (consider it a small bass clarinet to C), I would like to add one extra thing to consider, which is the extra keywork. It is enormous fun but lots of work to adjust to the extra notes in scales and all. I mean, you learn what is what pretty quickly but to make the low notes sound good and to become as comfortable with them as with the rest, that requires some work. So, if you don't want to spend hours and hours doing basic practice and re-learning scales, go with the low Eb version, then you only need to adjust to the new mouthpiece and increased need for air. If you are up to a challenge, then I think the low C is worth it, those low notes can be really beautiful.

 

[lomaserena]

A low C bass definitely has the cool factor. If you can get nice one for a price you can afford, go for it. One advantage is that used low C basses are more likely to have been taken care of, much like a luxury car. Chinese low C basses range from good (Kessler, Ridenour) to terrible (several). Don't know what's available where you are, but before you buy a Chinese bass with an unfamiliar name, get all the information you can, especially the return policy. Eastman bass? Sounds like just one more Chinese horn with a vaguely prestigious-sounding name, but you never know. Find a store that carries them, and try one out.
How about a used Uebel bass? Haven't played myself, but they get good reviews on other clarinet forums, and availability may be better in Europe.

 

[noresponsenesessary]

You may want to check out Michael Lowenstern's youtube channel-"earspasm" He has reviewed a number of lower-priced low c bass clarinets. He seemed to think the Kessler was a good deal and a great price.

 

[Rojarosguitar]

Tried today the Andreas Eastman Low C bass; sound OK, keywork not so good. Ended buying a Yamaha 211-II. Sounds great, plays nice, and has reasonably good keywork. Jupiter had better keywork (surprisingly) but couldn't match the sound of the Yamaha. Thanks for all advice!

 

[Taragot]

Herzlichen Glückwunsch!

 

[clarnibass]

I see you already bought an instrument, but FWIW, assuming the same model of low Eb and low C, the differences are pretty much the extra notes on the low C, and being smaller, lighter and less expensive for thew low Eb. Depending on exact model, the low Eb note itself can sound anything from significantly better to almost the same. The mechanism other than the the low notes isn't really different and shouldn't have more problems on a low C model with the exception of some of the lowest notes.

The mechanism for the lowest notes themselves adds more adjustment issues. It's a compromise between having a single low key close all keys, and not feeling a "squish" when adding a lower key. A lot depends on the design, which varies significantly (e.g. decent compromise on current Buffet and Selmer, not so good on current Yamaha).

To give a slightly different perspective than some of the posts... I almost never play in a symphony orchestra or wind band. I usually don't play any of those new solo pieces for bass clarinets that were mentioned. Yet I use notes to low C in almost every concert. I don't remember the last time I didn't use them.

 

[the_eleven]

PM me if you want the contact details of the factory where the Kessler basses are made. The price I was quoted for 1 unit was very good indeed.
(I'm unsure whether it's appropriate to post them publicly)

Please check your PM box.

Thanks!

 

[Kritavi]

The build quality on the cheaper Low C's I've seen has been pretty abysmal. Not so with an immensely more expensive Selmer Paris. Be very careful if you go the route of a budget Low C.

 

[clarnibass]

The build quality on the cheaper Low C's I've seen has been pretty abysmal. Not so with an immensely more expensive Selmer Paris. Be very careful if you go the route of a budget Low C.

You could write a short novel about the problems with the current Selmer, so I don't want to know how long the same would be for those other models...

 

[dexdex]

If money wasn't an issue, I'd buy a top notch low C bass, Selmer would be my choice, an amazingly easy and responsive horn, for demanding orchestral work (which I don't do as a matter of fact), and a Yamaha 221-II (which I have) for jazz and other less academic stuff. This gives you all options.

 

[Kritavi]

You could write a short novel about the problems with the current Selmer, so I don't want to know how long the same would be for those other models...

I've only owned and sold Series 9 era low C's. As quick as I got one in stock I'd have a buyer waiting. What are the worst issues with the current ones?

 

[dirty]

If money wasn't an issue, I'd buy a top notch low C bass, Selmer would be my choice, an amazingly easy and responsive horn, for demanding orchestral work (which I don't do as a matter of fact), and a Yamaha 221-II (which I have) for jazz and other less academic stuff. This gives you all options.

Why would you need the Yamaha? I can't think of a single thing a Yamaha would do that my Selmer couldn't.

Not knocking the Yamaha, I just don't quite see why it would be preferable to the Selmer for "less academic stuff."

 

[clarnibass]

Not knocking the Yamaha, I just don't quite see why it would be preferable to the Selmer for "less academic stuff."

I have no idea what they meant, but I guess it might be better for marching bands or some other places with a big risk of damaging it. Beyond that, it wouldn't be. Unless you want a lighter low Eb bass for some concerts, but in that case, if money wasn't an issue (which is the point of that post), then just get another low Eb Selmer (or Buffet).