Contrabass Digest |
| To subscribe or unsubscribe, email gdgreen@contrabass.com |
From: "Aaron Rabushka" <arabushk@cowtown.net>
Subject: Re: Bassoon altissimo
Date: Fri, 3 Sep 1999 19:22:10 -0500
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com
Hey Robert!Any follow-up on my CD's?
Aaron J. Rabushka
arabushk@cowtown.net
http://www.cowtown.net/users/arabushk/
---------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 04 Sep 1999 19:53:56 -0700
From: Grant Green <gdgreen@contrabass.com>
Subject: Re: Another contrabass clarinet FS
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comAt 02:23 PM 9/4/99 -0500, you wrote:
>I saw your e-mail regarding the LeBlanc contra posted on E-Bay, and it
>raised my curiosity about that model of instrument. I've never seen a
>LeBlanc contra to low D like that. Didn't you say you had one once? Are
>they comparable to more recent LeBlanc models (to low C), or are there other
>differences?
>
>Thanks, and feel free to post your response to the whole group if you'd
>like.
>
>Hope your having a good Labor Day weekend!
>-Eric FaithThe original models were straight to Eb (which they still make), and curved
to low D. The low C extension is more recent. The low D model I used to
have also had two octave keys (one for Bb-D#, and another for E-C#
altissimo), and came apart in the middle (i.e., into an upper and lower
barrel, like a soprano clarinet). The mouthpiece that came with it seems
larger than the modern mpcs, and it was difficult to find a reed wide
enough to cover the opening. My high school also had a low D contra, but
with a one piece body, and single octave key. The earlier models were
silver plated, while the newer ones are nickel silver or German silver.Grant
________________________________________________________
Grant D. Green gdgreen@contrabass.com
http://www.contrabass.com/
Filling in on sarrusophone
________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------------Date: Sat, 4 Sep 1999 22:10:49 -0700 (PDT)
From: Adam Kent-Isaac <lokibassoon@yahoo.com>
Subject: "Quantra"
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comWARNING!!
That shmuck that was selling the "Quantrabass Clarinet" on Ebay
(remember, the contra listed as a "Quantra" being sold by a thief who
said it was a Selmer.) Well guess what? He's selling a bass clarinet,
calling it a "Quantra" and using the EXACT same item description as he
did last time.
In plainer words, he's selling the quantra again. Somebody even bid on
it. This time, it's got the same description and yet two pictures of a
bass clarinet. It is a lie; DON"T BUY IT.
Apparently this guy has been selling rolexes and jewelry, two VERY
suspicious items. An untrustworthy character, no doubt.-Adam
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com
---------------------------------------------------------From: "Lownotes" <hraven@casema.net>
Subject: Re: Another contrabass clarinet FS
Date: Sun, 5 Sep 1999 08:09:01 +0200
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comHow do these double octave key instruments compare with the ones which have
a single key. I ask this question because I played a few months one a
straight model contra (low EB) with single key. It also had the very big
standard mouthpiece but I replaced that with a Selmer C* mouthpiece. One
this instrument middle line b ande the c above were hard to play. Also above
top line G, the instrument was terrible high. Another bad thing was the
non-ability of the instrument to produce notes above high C. Are all these
things better one the double octave contra's?>
> The original models were straight to Eb (which they still make), and
curved
> to low D. The low C extension is more recent. The low D model I used to
> have also had two octave keys (one for Bb-D#, and another for E-C#
> altissimo), and came apart in the middle (i.e., into an upper and lower
> barrel, like a soprano clarinet). The mouthpiece that came with it seems
> larger than the modern mpcs, and it was difficult to find a reed wide
> enough to cover the opening. My high school also had a low D contra, but
> with a one piece body, and single octave key. The earlier models were
> silver plated, while the newer ones are nickel silver or German silver.
>
> Grant
>
>
---------------------------------------------------------
From: Fmmck@aol.com
Date: Sun, 5 Sep 1999 13:44:21 EDT
Subject: Re: "Quantra"
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comIn a message dated 9/5/99 1:11:13 AM, lokibassoon@yahoo.com writes:
<< That shmuck that was selling the "Quantrabass Clarinet" on Ebay
(remember, the contra listed as a "Quantra" being sold by a thief who
said it was a Selmer.) Well guess what? He's selling a bass clarinet,
calling it a "Quantra" and using the EXACT same item description as he
did last time.
>>Adam-
Are you sure about this? I didn't see any watches or jewelry in his other
auctions. The only "neutral" comment against him is apparently from someone
who objected to his selling dirty movies, and he has been around for a while.Yes, I agree it is a Bass Clarinet!
On the other hand, I would be much more suspicious of the seller of the
"Leblanc Contra Bass Clarinet - Silver" that Grant mentioned. I would guess
he was a dealer who had built up a bad rating, and recently opened a new
"clean" account. He has a number of items for sale starting just a few days
ago, and seems to know his way around.In neither case is there any obvious reason to doubt the dealer. But that is
what a good con man would want! You can't be too careful.Fred
---------------------------------------------------------From: Fmmck@aol.com
Date: Sun, 5 Sep 1999 14:00:01 EDT
Subject: Re: Another contrabass clarinet FS
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comIn a message dated 9/5/99 2:36:58 AM, hraven@casema.net writes:
<< I ask this question because I played a few months one a
straight model contra (low EB) with single key. It also had the very big
standard mouthpiece but I replaced that with a Selmer C* mouthpiece. One
this instrument middle line b ande the c above were hard to play. Also above
top line G, the instrument was terrible high. Another bad thing was the
non-ability of the instrument to produce notes above high C. >>HRaven-
I few months ago I purchased a used LeBlanc straight silver Contra BBb.
Although it has a single octave key, it has a dual action. There are two
separate holes that can be open, depending on the combination of keys being
held down. The third finger of the right hand activates the change, as I
recall.I have had considerable problems getting out some notes, including your B and
C. It turned out that the five (5) linkages between the top and bottom
sections are very critical. They must have just the right thickness of cork
between their mating surfaces, or some notes won't play. On top of that,
these corks are easily knocked off during assembly!After getting the linkages adjusted, there was still a problem that turned
out to be with the dual-octave mechanism. Again, there was either a cork or
a screw adjustment problem.After several trips to the repairman, the instrument plays quite well. I
also obtained the Selmer C* mouthpiece because the original was too wide for
some of the available reeds.I also can't get anything to come out right above the high C. I notice that
the first finger of the left hand's key doesn't have the small hole that you
find in a Bass Clarinet. There also is only one right hand trill key instead
of the usual four. I suspect it was not intended to operate up there, but
there may be some special fingerings that would work.Fred McKenzie
---------------------------------------------------------Date: Sun, 05 Sep 1999 10:45:01 -0700
From: Grant Green <gdgreen@contrabass.com>
Subject: Re: Another contrabass clarinet FS
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com>How do these double octave key instruments compare with the ones which have
>a single key. I ask this question because I played a few months one a
>straight model contra (low EB) with single key. It also had the very big
>standard mouthpiece but I replaced that with a Selmer C* mouthpiece. One
>this instrument middle line b ande the c above were hard to play. Also above
>top line G, the instrument was terrible high. Another bad thing was the
>non-ability of the instrument to produce notes above high C. Are all these
>things better one the double octave contra's?It is fairly common for the middle line B and C to be difficult: I think
these notes are the most sensitive to any leaking pad. If you're using a
Selmer mpc on a Leblanc instrument, this may be the (or a) cause of
intonation problems: the Selmer horns have a different bore diameter than
the Leblancs, and it is likely that the Selmer mpc will have the wrong
internal volume for a Leblanc contra.You *can* play above high C with either a single or double octave key
instrument. It mainly takes a bit more practice. The double key system
can be easier to play in the altissimo, as using the *lower* octave key
works well above high C#. The single key contras have the same octave
vents - its just that the octave key works all of them automatically,
instead of requiring the player to switch at the right time. On a single
key contra, you can play in the altissimo by closing RH3, which toggles the
octave vents.Grant
________________________________________________________
Grant D. Green gdgreen@contrabass.com
http://www.contrabass.com/
Filling in on sarrusophone
________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------------Date: Sun, 05 Sep 1999 10:59:34 -0700
From: Grant Green <gdgreen@contrabass.com>
Subject: Re: Used instruments?
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comAt 09:50 AM 9/5/99 -0400, you wrote:
>Hi,
>I'm totally impressed with your contrabass compendium! Wow!Glad you like it!
>
>At this point I know of no one who plays bass clarinet, other than
>myself and my wife (but we don't own one: I've had to borrow an
>instrument for each performance). I'm interested in obtaining a good
>bass clarinet, and curious about getting a contrabass. (I played a
>Leblanc BBb in college.) Hence, I'm interested in an unusually good
>deal on a used instrument or, even better, a benefactor who has an
>instrument to loan or donate to a good cause.The closest source I know of would be Charles Fail Music - they restore instruments, and generally give
a pretty good deal. Another good source is the Woodwind & Brasswind, which
does mainly mail-order (see http://www.wwandbw.com). I've dealt with both,
with good results. Alternatively, you can try the online auctions. Ebay
usually has several bass clarinets (and on occassion a contra) up for
auction (see http://www.ebay.com, and look under "Miscellaneous: Musical
Instruments: Woodwinds"). On the auction site, it is a good idea to be
careful: I generally don't bid on an instrument unless (a) the seller has
posted pictures of it (and not something taken from a catalog), so I can
get an idea of what condition the horn is in, and if they actually have one
to sell, and (b) the seller has a non-trival amount of positive feedback
(favorable comments from other auction customers), and the feedback
includes people who have a substantial amount of their own positive
feedback. Failing that, I might still bid on a horn, but only if the
seller was agreeable to using an online escrow service: these hold the
buyer's payment until they receive the goods, and give the buyer time to
inspect the goods before releasing the payment to the seller.>I'm also interested in meeting any good bass/contrabass clarinet or
>bassoon players in the area who are eager to play excellent music.I'll forward this to the contrabass list: there may be a low reed player in
your area who's subscribed.Best of luck!
Grant
>
>Thanks,
>
>Daniel
>
>--
>Daniel Ashton http://www.southern.edu/~jdashton/ PGP key available
>mailto:jdashton@us.ibm.com mailto:jdashton@southern.edu ICQ# 9445142
>
>
________________________________________________________
Grant D. Green gdgreen@contrabass.com
http://www.contrabass.com/
Filling in on sarrusophone
________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------------Date: Sun, 5 Sep 1999 17:16:56 -0400
Subject: Contra reeds
From: Michael J Effenberger <tyrthegreatandpowerful@juno.com>
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comI need a contrabassoon reed for experimental purposes. Anyone have any
suggestions? I live in Manchester, NH.
Thanks!
-Mike Effenberger, tubist at large
Next Digest ->
Previous Digest <-
Index
Top