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Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 00:54:04 -0400
From: Topper
Subject: [CB] Octaves and Other MechanismsEarly on I've always found octaves between registers more of a
challenge with bass clarinet simply because I use single register key
Leblanc 400 bass clarinets. Not by choice but by budget. Struggling
through the new VITO contrabass it is ever more evident that the
slightest imperfection with the register mechanism only amplifies any
non-concise finger movement. Unfotyunately when I am right on the .99
- .999 the mechanism responds between 1.9 - 1.0 and I'm not sure if
it is capable of much more. The problem is that this instrument was
probably not designed by a player or in close consultation with
players. The other problem is the feel of the keys. I hate gaps
between keys.
I'm going to end up redesigning parts this instrument. I'm going to
have to make some keys. Leblanc will take the instrument back for
inspection for possible replacement and more serious adjustment as I
do not wish to void any warranty as some of the keys' levers and
bends are at the wrong angle by a couple degrees here and there.
However this instrument is by their standards probably OK for
students which makes me rater sad as it can be very discouraging to
have an instrument that will not respond to what one excels to do
musically/mechanically. Moving on it is not only octaves by any
interval that jumps from one register to another or smaller intervals
between the automatic register mechanism.Any detailed experiences with the 340 woild be nice to hear.
I will have photos and mechanicals of the VITO Bbb up at a website
and let you know when they are up.
Cheers
Leo
---------------------------------------------------------From: "Dave Spiegelthal"
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 09:36:25 -0500
Subject: [CB] Mouthpieces for EEb contra clarinet?
Well, it appears that I'm soon to be the proud (?) owner of a Buescher (aka
Bundy) EEb contra-alto clarinet. The particular instrument I've "won" on eBay
doesn't come with a mouthpiece, so I have to purchase one. My question is: Do
you folks know what mouthpieces fit a Bundy EEb contra? I'm aware that there
are differences in bore and tenon diameter between the various mouthpieces made
for the different brands and models of contra-alto/contrabass clarinet, so I'm
looking to the CB list for pointers. Playing qualities and material don't
matter, as I do my own refacing and I can turn just about anything (short of
strawberry Jell-o) into a decent mouthpiece. Thanks in advance!
Dave Spiegelthal
Calverton, VA
http://www.angelfire.com/va/woodwindplayer
---------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 11:57:47 -0700
From: Grant Green
Subject: Re: [CB] Mouthpieces for EEb contra clarinet?
Dave said:
>Well, it appears that I'm soon to be the proud (?) owner of a Buescher (aka
>Bundy) EEb contra-alto clarinet. The particular instrument I've "won" on eBay
>doesn't come with a mouthpiece, so I have to purchase one. My question is: Do
>you folks know what mouthpieces fit a Bundy EEb contra? I'm aware that there
>are differences in bore and tenon diameter between the various mouthpieces made
>for the different brands and models of contra-alto/contrabass clarinet, so I'm
>looking to the CB list for pointers. Playing qualities and material don't
>matter, as I do my own refacing and I can turn just about anything (short of
>strawberry Jell-o) into a decent mouthpiece. Thanks in advance!My Eb contra is also a Buescher. As far as I can tell, all of the Eb contra mpcs work with any of the Eb contras (at least for the American and French brands) - it is the BBb contrabass that has non-interchangeable parts. You can use a Selmer contra-alto mpc, or Clark Fobes' custom mpc (get the one for the Selmer contra-alto), or if you're looking to save money and plan to do your own refacing, a Woodwind (Leblanc sub) contra-alto mpc.
Enjoy!
Grant
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant Green
ecode:contrabass http://www.contrabass.com
Professional Fool -> http://www.mp3.com/ProFools
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
---------------------------------------------------------Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 12:04:50 -0700
From: Grant Green
Subject: Re: [CB] Sarrusophone!!!!
>I had a near religious experience today. It turns out the my
>university (UT Arlington) has a Conn Eb Contrabass Sarrusophone. I
>had known of its existence for a couple of months but was a bit
>skeptical as I had not seen it. Well, all doubt was wiped away
>today as not only did I see it, but through the modification of my
>only contrabassoon reed I played it. The horn is in immaculate
>condition, a beautiful satin silver finish, with a gold interior in
>the bell. The pads seem to be of a horn that has never seen any use
>and are as fresh as the day they were put on. There is even a
>single reed mouthpiece that for all I can tell is the original,
>since it is labeled Conn and looks like no other mouthpiece that I
>have ever seen (sort of like a small sax mpc. with a cork tube
>running off of the back). The only thing that is slightly wrong are
>a couple of dings in the bocal. It seemed to play pretty well in
>tune with itself (although the reed I was using probably didn't give
>the best results) and had a clear tone for the 2+ octaves that I was
>able to get out. As you can tell I am ecstatic about this horn and
>completely surprised by the shape that its in for being around 80
>years old.
>Bret NewtonHey, congratulations!
You may want to bring the horn to a music store and experiment with
reeds of different sizes (or just bring the mpc, and buy a few reeds
appear to fit). The double reed for a contrabass sarrusophone is
generally somewhat larger than a contrabassoon reed - if you're going
to have the horn for a while, you may want to invest in a reed from
Keith Loraine (http://www.loraine.com/reeds.html). As for the high
register, you may want to check out the fingering chart at
http://www.wfg.sneezy.org/sarrus_bas.html - that will get you up to
altissimo G...Enjoy!
Grant
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant Green
ecode:contrabass http://www.contrabass.com
Professional Fool -> http://www.mp3.com/ProFools
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
---------------------------------------------------------Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 16:25:26 -0500
From: Chris Rubenacker
Subject: [CB] ophicleide> I was looking around in e-bay and I stumbled across an old ophicleide. It's item number
> 1413237772. I found it while looking under 'contra alto clarinet'. The current bid is at $1025.
> It seems to be in decent shape. It might be worth looking into for any instrument collectors out
> there on the list.Chris-
bass + contrabass clarinets, tenor + bari saxes, contrabass tuba
---------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 15:08:58 -0700
From: Grant Green
Subject: [CB] The Annual Contrabassoon Festival
... will not be held this year. I've just heard from the organizer
(Kevin Damon), who is having trouble getting the dates for the
facilities and the artists to match. Plans are to change to a
bi-annual (every other year) schedule. More details when I receive
them.Grant
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant Green
ecode:contrabass http://www.contrabass.com
Professional Fool -> http://www.mp3.com/ProFools
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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