Kessler Custom All-Black Bass Clarinet Review!

Here is the new Kessler MIDNIGHT MODEL Low C Bass Clarinet. Yep, they made one that's all-black!
If you're interested in grabbing one for yourself (good luck!) click this link: www.kesslerandsons.com/product/kessler-custom-low-c-bass-clarinet-midnight-model/
Color Close-up: 1:54
Tuning: 10:50
Blind Listening Test against my Selmer: 15:30

[@colinmiller5282]

Love how I was literally the first person to get one.

[@johnnygonzales2902]

Aye bro u are an Inspiration and your bass clarinets are sick

[@Sirvalorsax]

We totally grew up watching the same shows 😆. Now I want to see the Krissy Snow and JJ Evans in the same episode of the love boat

[@jakebickham123]

what a cross over event seeing you here

[@paix2669]

I was waiting for this review for ever

[@lemonade8328]

I was hoping you would do a review on this one!

[@codyharding8232]

4:02 "So like I said we don't buy our bass clarinets for the way they look, atleast that's what we tell people." Ive never listened to a more relatable sentance

[@ThomMorales]

Thanks for the review. I do enjoy my Kessler Midnight model. My low "B" key doesn't have the stuffiness that the model you tried seems to have. Perhaps a better adjustment. Again, thank you for the comments and I am still so very jealous of the way you play your altissimo....OMG! You're awesome

[@stepheniansavage]

Thanks for doing another review on this horn. I've had a Kessler 2nd Gen (low C) for 2 years now have experienced the exact same issues you have in this video. I took it to my repair tech right after I got it, and she had a lot of issues adjusting the horn. Here's what she told me. First, the metal on the horn is extremely brittle and very low quality, which would make soldering and even replacing pads nightmarish. Second, the C#/G# key-post messed up in a way that doesn't allow the spring to be replaced without it being bent outta shape or snapping off entirely. (This is probably just my horn, but I didn't know this until about a year into owning it.) Finally, the instrument is very prone to going out of adjustment. In the 2 years I've had mine, I've taken it to be adjusted 4-5 times. I'm super careful and have a BAM case to boot, which helps but doesn't really prevent it. (I can't imagine what the standard case plus some good high-school wear-and-tear would do to this horn...yikes) That being said, I've been happy with the sound and feel of the horn despite those (pretty major) issues. The horn is clearly a compromise but is a good deal (if you take care of it). It just is a real shame that build quality suffers.

[@paix2669]

Man a great great suggestion for a bass clarinet review, a really good suggestion: one of the best Italy manifaturers of clarinets in Italy is Ripamonti, they're known for the Ab clarinets and contrabass clarinets, but they also have a student model of bass clarinets, it's around 2300-2400$/€ and even if it goes to low eb it has the DOUBLE REGISTER MECHANISM, (silver plated, professional keywork) which is super cool considering the student models of other manifaturers like Yamaha and selmer. You should defenetly try it, they are an awesome company (and have a lot of artists around Italy, like Beltramini first clarinet of the Ticino orchestra in swizzerland, and, honestly, the world) and great customer service. Try to hear from them if they would like to let you try their student instrument :)

[@Omega3131]

I took a look at their website, especially the contrabass, but it looks exactly like the Leblanc paperclip model. Is it really different or did they just remanufacture it?

[@paix2669]

@@Omega3131 the one you saw all in metal yes is like the leblanc but I was talking about the wood and gold contrabass ;)

[@Omega3131]

@@paix2669 I didn't see them listed.

[@vroonos]

Hilarious use of Love Boat and Fantasy Island intros during the play tests! Great review video. Thanks Michael!

[@PearceVaughn]

As someone who purchased one late last year, these definitely have some issues. They play great and highly outperform the price point (common with Kessler's instruments), but have problems that you have to learn to deal with. I had to make ends meet with being a broke undergrad woodwind doubler.

[@carlcarlton328]

I got mine in November an do agree, you learn to get used to them tho(alternate fingerings are second nature now) and I'd dosnt end up sounding bad.

[@Omega3131]

Kessler buys these instruments from the Chinese manufacturer. You can also buy one directly on ebay for about 1k USD only. Whatever adjustments Kessler says they do, they are not felt. The problem with the low B natural / high F# key is always there, the very stuffy low D left-pinky key is always there, and the stuffy C#/G# on the left pinky is always there. I have the direct-from-China instrument for more than a year now and I could hear the exact same issues in my instrument in both this Midnight and the Gen 2 he reviewed. It also comes with the exact same case with the wiggle room which you can stuff with the shipping material that comes in the case with great success. The Chinese one even comes with a (bad) mouthpiece which you don't get with the Kessler. My recommendation is a strong thumbs up to buying this instrument on ebay. You pay 1k USD + ~100 USD shipping instead of 2250 USD + shipping (and he lists the retail price as 4k USD, like you get a 1.5k discount, where did he even get that from?), which I find ridiculous. Whatever adjustments you will need, they won't costs more than 200 USD, so you don't need to pay double the price for this. For about 1k USD, this is a superb quality instrument that won't shame professional players. I would say it's a no-brainer for anyone who is not going for the 10k+ USD professional models of Buffet or Selmer.

[@jurek8678]

These are some serious accusations. Of course, it makes one curious. Have you got any links to the specific ebay articles you are referring to?

[@Omega3131]

@@jurek8678 These are not accusations. They have the right to do it, so does anyone else. Search ebay for "low c bass clarinet" and sort by lowest price. You will see many sellers.

[@Omega3131]

@@bennysuts814 Not sure if you found it or not. Search ebay for "low c bass clarinet" and sort by lowest price. You will see many sellers. It's the equivalent of the Gen 2 model, not this Midnight one.

[@Omega3131]

@@bennysuts814 I don't know about the different factories. I bought one of these on ebay and they are the same as the Kessler Gen. 2 with the same problems and same key layout. I don't want to post links to competitors under this video, but it's very easy to find.

[@DavidLawsonMusic]

@Omega3131 I'm just wondering if you owned or tried the Kessler before getting the Chinese model? I've been looking on Ebay, etc. for an affordable horn, figuring it'd have to be a used one. I came across several listings for low C bass clarinets out of China, but pretty much dismissed them when I saw where they were from. I figured they're made cheaply and would most likely be non-repairable. Sounds like you had a good experience though? I feel like my tech person would be insulted if I brought him one of those to adjust for me lol

[@michaeldean9338]

You have a nice tone. Thanks for the presentation.

[@davidbissell3565]

Thanks for your honest reviews! I hope Music Medic can send you one of their new low C basses. It's the first student model I've seen that has all 4 right hand pinky keys! Also, the body is made similarly to Buffet's greenline models!

[@BillLehecka]

Interesting to see how much different the midnight version sounds compared to the Kessler V2. I love my Kessler V2. Still plays great after 2 years. Just gathering dust now because quarantine. Hope to play it again this year.

[@Ryan-gq7bf]

Should I buy the midnight version or the other one in your opinion?

[@BillLehecka]

@@Ryan-gq7bf I’d go with whatever suits your fancy. I kinda wish I got the midnight version, but you can’t go wrong with either.

[@krane15]

@@Ryan-gq7bf The only difference is an aesthetic one: the color. Does that matter to you, and do you mind paying extra for it? I typically prefer something more unique as long as its not too gaudy.

[@Billybillybillyrocking]

The thing that is very apparent to me in a blind side by side is key noise. Higher end keys are way quieter, when recording it makes a difference. The Kessler was stuffier but the keys were very loud on some parts. Closing your eyes and focusing it becomes very apparent. As far as stuffiness that can maybe be attributed to the plating or alloys used. They do change the tone, which can change even more if it's something new. I don't play clarinet but I want to and your videos are fun to watch, keep it up.

[@mauricereviol]

I think it's Black Chrome plated (Selmer) versus Black Nickel plated. The plating itself is super sturdy, both Chrome and Nickel, but the black colour comes off relatively easy on Black Nickel whereas Black Chrome is much stronger. You get Black Chrome plated workshop tools that show their black colour after years of use (with scratches most likely) whereas Black Nickel would wear off. Black Nickel is often lacquered on top to protect the black colour, like black Nickel plated Saxophones. Not to be mistaken it's the colour only that wears off, not the plating itself, it just gradually turns into a normal nickel plating...which can look cool too, the signs of use...

[@Internetpilot]

I went to Kessler's website to get their Low C v2 bass after Michael's review and saw this Midnight version. The first batch was already sold out, but I was able to get one from the second batch. Zero regrets! Mine had something similar going on with Bb/B and F/F#, but it was that the keys weren't closing tightly so adjusting it myself was easy. Now it's basically (pun intended) flawless. Tuning is near perfect and when it's not the correction is embouchure and easy. At this point music is just a hobby for me, but I'm really enjoying this instrument. My youngest son (college) plays clarinet too and has also enjoyed this bass. Is it worth paying so much more for the Midnight version? Uh... YES! 😂 Seriously, if you can afford it, is definitely recommend it. It's beautiful in person. I might eventually go back to Kessler for a better case, but for now I don't go anywhere with it and when not being played it's on a stand "on display" like a piece of art.

[@Internetpilot]

Just an update: After a month or so of non-use when I got back to playing it almost daily I freaked because I immediately noticed an issue with the double register key. I'm neither a professional musician nor a professional instrument repair, but whenever possible I've always repaired my own instruments. It comes from 7+ years in marching band, which anyone who has done the same knows that like a boot camp (haha). Turned out to be easily resolved with some key oil and now that double register key is working better than ever has. This is not any knock on Kessler at all, as this is a common issue with double register keys even on higher end instruments. Still loving this instrument, especially now that I'm back to playing it almost every day. Again, I'm just a hobbyist rather than a professional, but the fact that a hobbyist can get such a great sound and playability out such a relatively low priced instruments should say a lot. One other thing to note is the "midnight" lacquer finish has now almost completely come off the front of the thumbrest, which is now almost completely silver rather than black. Thankfully this isn't happening anywhere else on the instrument so not a big deal, but just full disclosure.

[@pcolmenaresg]

@@Internetpilot I was wondering about the lacquer coming off on the contact points, I suspected this would become an issue after extended use given the kind of lacquer

[@Internetpilot]

@@pcolmenaresg I am happy to report, though, that a year later and the lacquer hasn't come off anywhere else -- only on the thumb rest. I haven't heard of it coming off for anyone else. I do a lot of manual labor type chores around the house, and come in contact with cleaning chemicals, grease, lubricants, etc. I'm pretty careful about cleaning my hands thoroughly before touching the bass, but it would surprise me if even just a little speck of something on my thumb cause that to happen.

[@francissadleir9805]

WOAH this looks so sick!

[@katrinamundinger3133]

Killer Stax hat!

[@TRAVELERinANantiqueLAND]

Why just why do you have to make me so jealous

[@gavynhohon2818]

I got mine in early November, and I love mine. I haven’t had nearly as many problems that you stated. Compared to other instruments I’ve played (Selmer, and Yamaha) it is fairly free blowing. The B was a bit stuffy at first, and still is to a degree, but not nearly as bad, and the tuning was initially off, I later fixed it by tuning to different notes, and just adjusting the 2 notes that were out of tune with my mouth, so that it has become second nature to me at this point. I seem to be the odd one out who is happy with the quality. The case has much less to be desired however, after a month I went ahead and bought a Reed&Squeak case.

[@emerygrimm]

This was very insightful. Thank you. I’ve been debating getting one and this helps.

[@edwincancelii2917]

The low C B flat bass clarinet & the contrabass flute in C with a low B foot joint make a good duo.

[@eileenjurek6898]

Sharp looking instrument!

[@otsoreijonen2433]

You should do a review on the Buffer 1180 student bass clarinet!

[@Mob-tq7gv]

I've always thought of getting a all black one when I eventually got another one and it's a good price for a student.

[@marvelboy74]

Hopefully 3rd times the charm.

[@megalonk._.9728]

The V12 reeds are so nice

[@beamoorefrank5194]

Yeah, and I didn’t buy my horse for the way she looks! (She’s gorgeous.) We like pretty things! Great video as always.

[@jasonmarshalljazz]

I'm excited to be the first viewer.

[@datguybrooks9105]

Not bad price and it sounds pretty nice as well

[@johnyoungquist6540]

Interesting student instrument that seems to work somewhat , but it's no Selmer. It is easy to make a look-alike but not so easy to make a play-alike. The sound difference is obvious, I'll guess the playing feel must be profoundly different too. I wonder how well it would work with a cheap student mouthpiece. A bad mouthpiece choice could put the instrument in a dysfunctional state. I would think it would be safer to provide a good mouthpiece with the instrument. This would give a beginner a better chance. How many kids give up on Bass clarinet because they don't have a decent instrument setup. Nice review, interesting to see the performance of a low cost instrument.

[@carlcarlton328]

Sorry to bother you but I got my midnight model back in November and I use a fobes debut mouthpiece which they gave me a discount on the horn that they sent michael was probably messed up in transit as when I got mine most of the issues he's having didn't happen to me so it's a pretty good horn I think michael just got unlucky with transit.

[@gavynhohon2818]

Yeah, I got mine in October, I use a Vandoren BD5. From what I can tell he got unlucky with his. That B is very stuffy, while mine broke in within 2 weeks and stopped being as stuffy. I’ve also tried it with a Yamaha 4C and a Clark and Fobes Basso Nova. The 4C was a bit resistant and the Nova had a hard time getting the altissimo notes out. Like the previous comment I got the BD5 at a large discount.

[@Internetpilot]

I also got the Fobes Debut mouthpiece, but I only got that mouthpiece because they didn't offer the more expensive one that I wanted. That being said, going on three months later, I still haven't bought that more expensive mouthpiece because I actually really like the Fobes Debut, which was (by far) the cheapest mouthpiece Kessler's offered. Go figure. I am using a Vandoren M|O ligature (black, of course...duh).

[@gavynhohon2818]

@@Internetpilot Oh yea, Fobes makes an amazing mouthpiece, I got the Vandoren because I wanted a more focused sound. I still use my Nova every now and then if I need to be loud and powerful. The M|O ligature is great, I got mine in black as well.

[@Internetpilot]

@@gavynhohon2818 I was pleasantly surprised. I hadn't played bass clarinet since high school (over 40 years ago), so I was making my mouthpiece decision based on a much more soprano clarinet experience. Never heard of Clark Fobes before now, but the brand is definitely on my radar now. I also now have a rather healthy respect for the Kessler brand as well.

[@garbagecan8101]

Looking swag while playing swag.

[@oofian4133]

First😈😈 Now buy me a bass clarinet Michael

[@Violins_]

hey earspam im looking at buying a bass clarinet and im looking at instruments would it bet better to go for an Eb or a low c bass clarient

[@krane15]

Pros: Wider range Cons: Size Weight Complexity Cost No limitations, but how often would you need to utilize its range?

[@TearItOff8078]

Wow that thing is beautiful...😍

[@Metalpazallteway]

I heard most instruments are Tuning to 442 for Orchestra is that true? I used to do 440 as well

[@2_samuel]

I have a Kessler midnight model from the same batch as you and mine doesn’t have the problems yours has, so you might have just gotten a bad one. You could probably send it back and get one that is better.

[@krane15]

Probably was assembled on a Monday.

[@carlcarlton328]

Yeah I got one from the same batch as well and mine plays much better. I think something must have happened to his during shipping.

[@krane15]

@@carlcarlton328 Musical instruments are precision devices that have to be crafted to adjust for the small variances in production. They can't simply be stamped by a machine on an assembly line and shipped to the buyer without some variances in quality control. That more expensive brands already include that secondary craftsmanship which is a part of why you pay the extra cost. When you buy a cheap instrument, you immediately have to send it to the shop for those fine adjustments to make it playable.

[@carlcarlton328]

@@krane15 I don't know what your on about. What I was saying was that after it got sent out by kessler in nevada and traveled all the way to new york in a crappy case it could have gotten knocked out of adjustment.

[@krane15]

Not necessarily a bad one, rather, just not as precisely tuned. Remember, instruments quality depends partly on craftsmanship so no two instrument will ever be exactly the same.

[@zerodeaths2343]

Wish I had it

[@Phoenixspin]

This would be a perfect instrument to accompany the CPAC woman.

[@tsepzz4742]

Mine has two holes as well, but the second is lower than this clarinet's lowest

[@eileenjurek6898]

Haha. The Love Boat!

[@CarsandCollectors]

dang if I could afford that lmao

[@Omega3131]

If you can afford to pay about 1k USD you can just buy the instrument (like the Gen 2, not midnight) on ebay directly from the retailers in China (which is where Kessler gets his from).

[@diggingoutsidethebox]

I have an early version (June 2017) of the Gen II Kessler Bass. I know there have been a few improvements since I got it, but I have been very happy with it and also the fact that I didn't need to take out a home loan to pay for it! I have found a few notes that are regularly on the stuffy side, but some of that could possibly get corrected with adjustments... (it's time for that, anyway). The low C-C#-D keywork (still!) doesn't always lay as easily as I'd prefer, though I have no experience with either the Selmer or Buffet layout, so I don't have a comparison. This midnight model does look very cool, and if I were in the market right now I might or might not pursue that look for my new axe. I assume the black nickel is plated. My 'concern' would be its durability. Does it scratch easily? The nickel plating on a few of my keys is wearing through after 3 1/2 years (darn my acidic fingers) and that could definitely be a downside for the midnight nickel version. Thanks for another awesome review!

[@carlcarlton328]

The keys are covered in a clear protective laqyre to protect from corrosion and mine hasnt scratched yet.

[@carlcarlton328]

Just kidding they lied it's just there gen 2 model with some fancy black paint that fades and chips

[@U-san8765]

もともと彼が上手だから、安い楽器でもいい音色

[@bestlaidplans4511]

What song is that when you blind test both? Thank you!

[@toshiroluo9475]

how i wish they will send me one too.

[@carlcarlton328]

I got my midnight model back in November and I think that something must have happened to the horn they sent you. After I tune there aren't any notes that are flat infact the only out of tune note is the a natural which is pretty sharp. But I did notice the few stuffy notes like the b natural the f and the e flat but the like with the horn they sent you the alternates sound fine. Overall I like mine alot and think you prob just had some bad luck during shipping.

[@eileenjurek6898]

Thanks for sharing! I really want one!

[@gavynhohon2818]

Yeah, I got mine in October, everything is in tune but the B and the F are a bit stuffy, to be expected though. I did have to get a better case though.

[@carlcarlton328]

@@gavynhohon2818 Yeah the case is quite bad but yeah I think michael just got unlucky during shipment because my horn wasn't near as bad as his. What serial number did you get I got 15

[@gavynhohon2818]

@@carlcarlton328 I got 12

[@kirin8735]

A bit disappointed the midnight isn’t as good as the regular v2….

[@krane15]

"It may just be this particular instrument."

[@omgitsfirekiller]

Hello, what would you recommend for allstate

[@breakingcandy3033]

bruh I wish I had this Bass Clarinet ;-;

[@breakingcandy3033]

this 100% fits my aesthetic

[@olivergregg5480]

Is 7th grade good to start playing the bass clarinet because i am already doing it. And also for 1 year of b# clarinet I did.

[@krane15]

Stick with the Bb clarinet. You'll learn so much more. You can always stop down to Bb later if you so desire.

[@tadytadynho]

what is the tuner name again?

[@ryancoplen6207]

Do you think you could do a video of the Mozart clarinet concerto?

[@grace8252]

Hello fellow bass clarinet players! I am a student with a really really really and I mean really old bass. Sounds like trash but what I want to ask about is if your staff that sits on the floor won't stay there it doesn't screw in what should I do? I use tape but I wonder if there's anything else I can do to fix it? Thanks guys!!

[@Omega3131]

If you mean the peg, then it depends on what holds it in place. You might need a ring to increase the pressure or replace the butterfly screw.

[@grace8252]

@@Omega3131 thank you so much!

[@Ryan-gq7bf]

Did Kessler fix his instrument in 2022?

[@vroonos]

According to the Kessler website, they have changed the setup starting Jan 2022

[@themiraclechick4894]

@@vroonos trying to get one of these. I can’t believe they’re still constantly out of stock. Crazy 🤯

[@themiraclechick4894]

Do either of y’all have one of the “second generation plus” bass clarinets? I wonder if I could get one from a local music shop or something. I’m worried it would be in terrible adjustment from the shipping.

[@vroonos]

@@themiraclechick4894 I don't have one. I'd like to visit their store in Las Vegas for some play testing. Shipping large woodwinds is always risky. I recommend calling Kessler and talking with Dave Kessler. Very nice guy. He can talk with you about shipping options and what they do to protect against damage.

[@vroonos]

@@themiraclechick4894 Supply chain horror show. I'm very tempted to build bass clarinets locally. Not sure if the demand is high enough for bass clarinets. It would have to be a labor of love. Not to mention the materials availability problem.

[@thinkharder2028]

ANY chance of a weak spring or uneven pad seat allowing a pressure leak? It sounded a bit resistant and unstable....wild guess...but trying again with throat G# corked shut would be my next step....still no joy?...get the thinnest feeler out and check every pad. I can't imagine Dave Kessler went the wrong direction.

[@carlcarlton328]

Yeah mine wasn't that bad I think something must have gone wrong during shipment.

[@djcallofduty2473]

Looks cool, won’t buy it

[@boobsax]

I think you should send it to a shop to have it adjusted and do another review. I’m sure Kessler would pay for it if it meant a more positive review.