All About the Linton (Orsi) Contrabass Clarinet

The Linton (Orsi) contrabass clarinet is a unique and semi-rare instrument which has been the subject of several internet myths. Here I discuss the instrument and debunk some of the misinformation out there.
Instrument borrowed from David Marlton
Reeds made by Georg Kühner
Mouthpiece refaced by Brad Behn
Linked videos include:
Jared de Leon "Trying out a Linton EEb contra alto clarinet" • Trying out a Linton EE...
and
Marco Colonna "LINTON contrabass clarinet" • LINTON contrabass clar...

[@AFN2750]

Sounds absolutely massive. I didn’t know I wanted one, and now I do. Cannot even approach affording one though.

[@philipeverall6]

All the contrabass questions I never knew I had, answered! Thanks!

[@martinreid1510]

Thanks for the video! It satisfies my curiosity around the Linton contras so I don’t need to buy one. I had a chance to purchase one of these about a decade ago but I ended up with my EEb paperclip instead. It sounds like I made the right choice there.

[@organist1982]

Very cool! I LOVE the resonance of those low notes with that huge bore!

[@joeldiaz222]

Really nice video, Jason! The information you share about this instrument is very interesting.

[@jimbob5848]

Very informative. Thanks a lot.

[@Lamorak-nu2cx]

I am a 3 year bass player, hopefully a low-c model soon. I have made all state honor band in 7th hopefully 8th too. I might end up playing subcontra for jazz band, Idk yet. also nice cuts.

[@Duck_Gaming15]

That mouthpiece is HUGE

[@balderdash14]

I actually rented a room in that mouthpiece a few months back, pretty spacious.

[@user-ud3nq7ph2h]

I've never seen a contrabass like that! Cool!

[@iwoods1]

Two of the high schools in Huntsville, AL had them in the late ‘60/early ‘70s. I’d always see them at All-State band auditions. I think they were BBb horns. I had a Bundy and used Rico contra reeds. They must have used Vandorens. I’ll reach out to a friend who played in those band and see if I can get more info.

[@Gear100]

is the alibaba paperclip contra any good? I don't really have money for a real conra since im in uni atm

[@JasonAlder]

I haven’t had the chance to play one, so I don’t know how they really sound compared to a Leblanc. My biggest concert is the quality of the metal and if it’s too soft. It seems like all the ones that come directly from china get dented in shipping, but the bigger issue is how that affects the keywork. It’s fairly complex and needs to be in regulation to play properly. If the metal is too soft and bends easily it will easily and constantly go out of adjustment

[@dominicparris511]

Yo Jase! - next time we are together in same space [if ever!], we have to chat about pronounciation of Bohm! [as a member of The Family Bohm, I am curious about your rendition!] x dom

[@francoisvillon1300]

Помню, лет 20-25 назад у ORSI в каталоге был контрабас из палисандра с позолоченными клавишами. Такой Вам не попадался?

[@JasonAlder]

That’s Ripamonti, not Orsi. I have seen it and played it, but it was very badly out of adjustment so I could not get a good assessment of it. They had both BBb and EEb instruments like this. I don’t know how many they ever sold… I only ever saw them at conferences but don’t know anybody that owns one. I have tried asking Flavio but my emails weren’t returned. They don’t appear to make them anymore, but instead sell the Jinbao copy of the Leblanc paperclip branded as a Ripa

[@francoisvillon1300]

@@JasonAlder Thank you!. Yes, that's right. Ripamonti. Do you know if ORSI and Ripa are still in business? BTW, was that Ripa contra down to C or an Eb?

[@JasonAlder]

@@francoisvillon1300 ripa is still in business, but not selling this contra anymore. It went to low C. It was really a beautiful looking instrument. Orsi I am not sure about… I know they still have some factory but I don’t know what they produce anymore

[@timothybonenfant5448]

Is this the same Orsi as in “Orsi and Weir” (which the make of my B-flat)?

[@JasonAlder]

The Weir is John Weir in Toronto right? A quick google search looks like he had some collaboration with Orsi before changing to Taplin-Weir. I don’t know if it’s the same Orsi (Milano) or not, but could be worth asking him?

[@timothybonenfant5448]

Yes, it’s the same John Weir. I bought my instrument from him before he switched from Orsi to Taplin.

[@thesunniestflower9899]

Where did you get linton instrument manual?

[@JasonAlder]

It’s not a manual, it’s a sales catalogue. Finding them is part of the research

[@RyanUnbarringSlinkyOrgan]

What a treat!

[@DevinSeeleyDevilO]

looks deceivingly like a bass saxophone

[@ronaldthomas74]

That's ok.

[@timothybonenfant5448]

So this is a German key setup?

[@JasonAlder]

The little finger keys, yes, but it’s otherwise Boehm. I call it simplified Boehm

[@simaogomes8077]

anyone whos saying this is a bari or a bass saxophone never touched a saxophone in his life

[@monke-fs7di]

nuh uh thats a bari sax i swear to god

[@0pherSax]

That has to be a bass sax man

[@jensenschumacher9421]

That’s what I’m saying