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home reproduction
historical clarinets
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The following items are the first installment in a range of products that may be helpful to clarinettists and other wind players. More will be added later. Some items may be ordered online immediately (follow the links as indicated below); others will follow as soon as possible Dealer enquiries about these products are welcomed; click here for further information.
Support brace Used in conjuction with a neckstrap or chest harness, this removes all weight and support duties from the right hand. It can be very effective in preventing or alleviating strain in the hand and wrist. It is also helpful when playing basset clarinets or basset horns on which keys are operated by the right thumb. It works equally well when playing either sitting or standing. The brace, which is adjustable in length (custom lengths can be specified), carries a pad which rests on the player's abdomen. It is attached by a screw thread onto a ring/brace mount which takes the place of the normal middle socket ring of the clarinet. Initial installation of the mount requires a few minutes' work by a repair technician; mounting or dismounting the brace takes a few seconds. No adverse effect has been observed on breathing or breath support; the player soon becomes unaware of the brace's presence. When using a pair of clarinets,
each instrument needs its own mounting ring. The player has the choice
of using the same brace (which must be removed and reattached when switching
instruments), (2) purchasing two complete brace/mount assemblies, or (3)
using a single main section (carrying the abdomen pad) with separate rod
sections, which in a playing session would each stay attached to its respective
clarinet.
N.B.: Clarinets with one-piece bodies, without conventional metal socket rings, or with non-standard outside body diameters, require custom made brace mounts
Neckstrap extension rod This simple little device addresses an annoying problem that many players encounter when attaching a neckstrap directly to the thumbrest, namely the interference between the strap and the left thumb resulting from the strap lying too close to the clarinet. The mount is attached over the middle joint ring of the clarinet (installation takes just a few seconds); the rod, which is screwed into the mount (and is removable for storage in the clarinet case), holds the strap away from the clarinet sufficiently to prevent unwanted contact. price: Can. $20
R1 C#/G# touchpiece This auxiliary right hand first finger touchpiece for the C#/G# key makes trills on low C#, upper G# and top F much more convenient. Though designed for Bb or A clarinets, it can easily be shortened for use on C and Eb clarinets. (The revised clamp mechanism is now available, at long last!) It is available either plated
(silver plating is normal, but other finishes are available on request)
or polished but unplated. It can also be supplied as a polished but
unplated casting (without the clamp or screw), which needs to be semi-permanently
installed, by a screw or soft solder, by a repair technician.
To order online, click here
L1 "bis" touchpiece Similar in principle to the
bis key on saxophones, this auxiliary touchpiece allows the left hand first
finger to hold down the L2 ring key, making low C-Eb and upper G-Bb tremolos
possible. The position is adjustable to suit the player's hand.
Installation requires a couple of minutes and a screwdriver. It is
available either plated (silver plating is normal, but other finishes are
available on request) or polished but unplated.
To order online, click here
Bass clarinet standing peg This longer-than-standard
peg allows a bass clarinet (either low Eb or C model) to be played while
standing. The length is custom fitted to the individual player.
The shaft is made of stainless steel, for maximum strength and rigidity.
The normal shank diameter (7.0mm) fits the peg holders on Selmer and Buffet
bass clarinets, but other diameters can be specified. It can be ordered
with either a conventional rubber tip or a Wolf Super Endpin ball-type
bumper (as pictured).
To order online, click here N.B.: Please specify minimum and maximum lengths when ordering (the length is measured from the ground up to the bottom of the peg holder sleeve, with the player standing and holding the instrument in the normal playing position)
Bass clarinet belly stick For those who prefer to use
a neckstrap for playing bass clarinet while standing, a belly stick assists
in stabilising the instrument. This version has a adjustable length
shaft, with a padded belly rest. The mount is either a replacement
for the adjustable thumbrest hook on recent model Buffet bass clarinets
(as pictured), or a complete assembly incorporating a replacement thumbrest,
belly stick mount and strap loop.
S. Fox EC1 soprano sax mouthpiece The result of a serendipitous experiment, this is adapted from an Eb clarinet mouthpiece blank. The dimensions of the tone chamber result in a very dark tone - virtually simulating that of a tarogato - and excellent intonation. In addition, the small windway and reed contribute to superior control of tone and articulation. It can be supplied with any facing specified by the customer. price: Can. $120
Saxello stand This is the response to those who say "don't buy a saxello-type soprano because you can't use a peg stand". It holds the instrument securely but ready for instant use. A short, padded peg holds the bell end while a padded cradle secures the neck/mouthpiece end. Construction from square aluminum tubing with a wood core results in high strength and light weight, and it is easily disassembled for portability. The current design is specifically for the Rampone saxello, but it could be adapted to other makes, given sufficient dimensional information. price: Can. $185 |
