My parents just bought me a new intermediate Buffet bass for Christmas. I'm very excited to play it but have a few questions about care, I've been playing for several years but don't know much about the instrument itself. There was no booklet or anything with the instrument itself and the web site was not helpful. If anyone knows where I can get some kind of informational booklet, or tips on how to fix simple problems, that would be great.

Also if anyone knows about this particular instrument, what are some typical, right out of the box, issues? Because it doesn't seem to be playing quite right. I know my best bet is to take it in, but I don't have a trusted repairman at this point. Also on the bell there is an open hole that on every other instrument I've played has a key over it that closes when the E key is pressed (I think), but nothing comes from the body to the bell on this instrument to cover that hole. Is that a flaw or a Buffet thing?

Thanks for the help if you can.

The hole on the bell is generally Eb... the lack of key/pad is a fairly large problem, i'd say. did your parents get it at a local store, online, what? i'd say you want to exchange it, a lack of key isn't really a minor issue.


what model is it?

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also, is it wood? wood clarinets require more care than plastic or resin- particularly when brand new. a breaking in period is generally advised for wooden instruments. if it's wooden, i'd suggest this link: http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Equipment/Care/Break-in.html

swabbing every time you play is important, as well.

I played low Eb today, and it played fine. The side opposite the open hole on the bell seems to have an extra hole/key on the bottom of the body that closes when it is played, which seems unique to the model. Or it's something I never noticed before on other bass clarinets. Some timetimes I have trouble playing in the upper register, but I'll just attribute that to not being broken in (it is wood). It is a Buffet BC1180-2.

I played low Eb today, and it played fine. The side opposite the open hole on the bell seems to have an extra hole/key on the bottom of the body that closes when it is played, which seems unique to the model. Or it's something I never noticed before on other bass clarinets. Some timetimes I have trouble playing in the upper register, but I'll just attribute that to not being broken in (it is wood). It is a Buffet BC1180-2.

http://www.wwbw.com/Buffet-1180-Low-Eb-Bass-Clarinet-i26544.music

based on the picture on wwbw^, the 1180 has the bell-mounted low Eb key on the left hand side, and the right side appears solid. bell mounted low Eb is fairly common.

The open hole at the bottom is just a vent. Low Eb has a wooden tone hole, which makes it sound way better than other horns on that note. The vent makes longer notes sound more wooden and less metal-bell-like(i.e. Selmer).

The horn will play everything but the high notes when the register mechanism is messed up. Be sure the lower of the two cork register key pads is totally closed when playing over the break. A good way to test is to play a high-G with your left hand only and tap on that pad with your free right hand. If it gets easier to play the high left hand notes, then there's your problem. Don't bend anything! The pads usually settle on a new horn, so a repair guy should fix it.

I own one of these horns, so let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for your help. Everything is working well now-we figured out I can close the vent on the bell with my heel and play a low D, haha. Also, my occassional issues with the upper register came with lack of experience on a two piece body, as in, I didn't line up everything perfectly right.

I'm curious, did you oil your bore upon purchase? I called the dealer and they said I shouldn't have to do that for a year or two since I don't live in an extremely arid climate. But it'd be nice to hear a second opinion.

I'm in humid southeast Texas and I haven't met anyone smart who oils their bores here. I know people in central and west Texas who oil extremely lightly once (one pull only) at the start of winter. The danger is if the bore absorbs a little too much oil somewhere, the horn may crack because the bore is expanding while the outside of your horn isn't. I wouldn't do it. My repairman says he fixes more cracks caused by over-oiling than by just "natural" causes. Congrats on your new horn!

hi everyone

i am having trouble with my upper register on my bass clarinet. i can play high C, but after that nothing comes out. i have checked to make sure that it is all lined up, because it is a two piece. i have also look for loose screws, but i don't want to muck with it to much in case i do something that i shouldn't. help would be greatly appreciated!

squid- you mean high c in the staff, or above?
are you new to bass, or how long have you been playing? if you are a recent convert, you may be having trouble with the embouchure differences between soprano or bass. however, if you have been playing for a while, i'm not sure. is this a recent problem? could you previously get the notes out, or no?

im not new.. i just wasn't thinking straight. it was given to me from my neighbor who used to play in the seattle symphony. i have been playing for about 8 years, not on this perticular bass clarinet, and have never has this kind of problem. i guess i should just take it in.

i also have a question about the brand, i have never heard of it. i have found some pictures on line but no info, and i would like to know if it is a high end or just average bass clarinet. it is a V. Kohlert's and Sons made out of wood.

thanks

Squid...
Yes take it in BECAUSE!!! AH its a Kohler...I cannot believe you have a Kohler, those things are ancient! I wonder, is it a low C bass, and did it come with a Kohler mouthpiece? Because if it did, then those are worth quite a bit there, and I'm jealous...haha
It prob. has shifted cause the climate has changed...all clarinets do that...bass especially...

I had no idea...it is in really good shape except the upper register factor. i didn't get the mouth piece with it...sad day. i just really want it to work so i can play it. thanks for your help i really appreciate it. it doesn't have the e flat key, but it does have an extra key by the f hole on the back.