Selmer 1430lp Bass Clarinet reviewed!

I take a look at the Selmer 1430lp, a student-model Low Eb bass clarinet that retails for just over $2,000.

[@erickmartinez361]

6:47 “ok so what we have here is known as a problem” 😂

[@konstrovofficial4150]

Erick Martinez omg i was literally about to post that too 😂

[@bryanwebb2170]

What we have here is known as being a bass clarinet player any constantly having these problems.

[@Swuidward_]

An amazing video on my birthday! Great review Michael! Also, I just love how he popped out the altissimo notes.

[@Clarinetfanz]

Hey Micheal, thanks for coming and performing at my university last night. I had so much fun meeting you!

[@julianruiz8524]

This video was great to watch considering the fact that I own the same instrument. It has served me well in the last 4 years.

[@brianbillings6815]

I know a professional Jazz clarinetist who routinely performs on one. They have a good reputation.

[@SamHackenson]

I’ve commented this before but WOW you inspire me to start playing bass clarinet. Especially that etude at the end, gorgeous.

[@williambojanowski7934]

Those out of tune tuning notes may not be a big problem for a professional, but for young students in a concert band that could be a huge problem. If the director has a section tune up, the director will usually want those notes in tune, and that being done, the rest of the notes will be out of tune.

[@brianbillings6815]

All instruments have built in tuning issues (trombone being the exception). Part of the learning process is playing long notes and adjusting your ear and pitch. Usually achieved very early with a good band director.

[@QuintenRobinson]

William Bojanowski The simplest solution, as Michael did, was just to tune the octave below. Most directors I know have the bass clarinets tune the chalumeau B anyway since that is the range in which they spend most of their time playing.

[@Chris______.]

One of the first things I learned (as a saxophonist) was how to adjust by changing embouchure for different notes. If a student has a good teacher who teaches them how to adjust then they should be fine

[@MARKLINMAN1]

I look forward to your reviews of the Yamaha Bass Clarinets, hopefully you do one for the student model as well as the Yamaha 622 II. 👍

[@darthgamer6080]

I knew this one could come eventually... awesome review!

[@tiny-orange1531]

Still waiting for a Kessler and Sons Bass Clarinet Review. But this is great regardless.

[@Chryoss]

+1

[@earspasm]

Coming soon. I promise

[@tiny-orange1531]

Earspasm Music Yay!

[@LowReedExpert1]

Another Kessler low c owner here (second gen), It's a solid horn, I like the sound, the keywork isnt as solid as I'd like, but not bad. Tuning is good on my horn, though it does kind of bother me that to have the keywork line up correctly the Bell and neck aren't in line with the body. The horn was shipped without shims that led to me having to adjust it a bit and still needing to open up the low B. All in all, a solid horn for $2100. I'm just happy to hear Mike is going to review one too so I can see if they're consistent

[@zangsax]

Me too. I sold my heavy rubber low C inst and have an old Selmer Eb. (Early 60’s). And miss those bottom notes so am thinking about a Kessler.

[@madonnasplasticsurgery]

This was my first bass I got to own. I picked it up at a horns of plenty event from music and arts. Ended up getting it for $1,400. Can't go wrong with that price either!

[@thatboredgamer2269]

Oh good to know they are legit

[@richardbeccaria7399]

Hi Michael, from the conn-selmer site, the body is ABS (that is plastic).

[@oscarespinosa9264]

I just bought a Selmer 1430lp bass clarinet, and I like it. It is my first bass clarinet, and it is the first time I play any bass clarinet in my life.

[@juancruzcasas]

I love your reviews. Could you please make a Yamaha 622 II review?

[@BopWalk]

Do a Kessler C 2nd gen bass review please.

[@jmwillsey]

Is it hard rubber, or "ABS" (plastic)? Their website states the latter. Thanks for the review!

[@RatPfink66]

i swear that note at 6:22 sounds exactly like the Staten Island Ferry leaving the terminal.

[@MichaelRpdx]

Hopefully Selmer will get back to you about the two note tuning issue.

[@anthonyblankenship3082]

I love the Selmer omega clarinet, I happen to own one as well.

[@SharkQu33n]

This is the bass clarinet I have. I hadn’t played in 15 years and decided to buy a bass clarinet to get back in the game. This was the one i chose, because it was affordable. The first one I received was a lemon. I had it in the shop no less than 7 times for various problems until Selmer finally sent me a replacement. I have had no (knock on wood) problems with the new one yet. It’s not as good as the one I played in school but it’s still nice. I also don’t like the weird hook thing where your right thumb goes. The one I played in school had a thumb rest like a regular clarinet and it was comfortable. I don’t find the weird hook comfortable. I find I have to rest my thumb on top of it most of the time. But whatever. It is what it is.

[@richarddixon9452]

If it is any consolation to you, I have played bass clarinet for 50 years and use a peg with a strap. A technique Don McCathren showed me many years ago. The peg supports the weight, the strap supports your embouchure and leaves you hands free to play. I always rest my thumb on top of the thumb rest also. I even had it padded with cork.

[@lucashoffses9019]

Before I saw this video, I thought this was a review for a contra-alto clarinet. You should do that, by the way. I think that would be cool.

[@rayzhang5551]

have you tried the Uebel Emperor Bass Clarinet? they're kinda expensive though

[@gearaddictclimber2524]

Hey, I’m ok the market for my first bass clarinet. I think they’re really cool and I want to get one of decent quality, but I’m young and have a tight budget. Do you have any recommendations for a good, low cost bass clarinet. I play Bassoon, so I understand that instruments can become quite expensive

[@santiagoblaumann6557]

You mention in this video that you are sponsored by Selmer. Out of curiosity, how do you think Selmer bass clarinet mouthpieces compare to what you use normally?

[@woodstock8908]

I play a seller 1430lp and I haven’t really had any problems with tuning. My personal instrument though is super out of adjustment so I can really play any higher than a D maximum Eb (the top of the staff notes) so that kind of sucks. It’s a really good instrument though especially for the price. It sounds absolutely beautiful in the low notes.

[@goncaloferreira1865]

Hey speaking from the Azores, middle of the Atlantic, Portugal, big fan! What's your experience with selmer mouthpieces for bass clarinet (mainly the Focus /Concept)?

[@earspasm]

I like them

[@GamersNetworkCentral]

I wonder if the tuning of those two notes has to do with the register key mechanism?

[@DrZombieDeadpool]

Would love to hear your take on "Moanin'"

[@johnpiettro4644]

Hello - it's hard to see exactly but do you play with a more sax like embouchure with your lower lip out on the bass? I know there are personal preferences regarding the embouchure formation on the bass and I heard it also depends on specifics of design of the neck angle.

[@julianruiz8524]

Kinda looks like he plays with a double-lip embouchure. Not sure how it works with bass clarinet but it's pretty common with soprano clarinet.

[@lukeseguin1875]

Wondering how this compares to something like an old LeBlanc or something else affordable and used.

[@MARKLINMAN1]

What about this bass clarinet with a Selmer prestige neck? Do you think that would work?

[@raymondstarostin5237]

Wich of cheapest (student, plastic e.t.c.) bass clarinets with low C you can recommend?

[@rodgrego7690]

Was it manufactured in the US or abroad?

[@choopy8115]

Thanks for this great vidieo

[@ethanortiz885]

I'm in high school and our band bought 5 of these for marching season and our entire section hated them because they were too quiet and the metal piece that mounted the peg snapped off on three of them. I don't know about the rest of them but mine had leaks in a lot of places and made the higher register hard to play in and need three pads replaced because they were not sealing. This was the first year anyone had used them.

[@ethanortiz885]

once i got the peg thing reattached and the leaks fixed it worked a lot better but is still too quiet compared to the wooden ones i've used before

[@karenpz8554]

Have you reviewed a Yamaha BC?

[@jakelabovitz9646]

I’m wondering what model Selmer Clarinet you use. I have a 10G that my Grandpa had from Selmer Paris

[@brianbillings6815]

The 10G is a still very desireable Professional model and sought after, especially if it falls within a certain serial number range. I know a Professional who owns several and wouldn't play anything else (personal preference).

[@QuintenRobinson]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe Michael plays on Selmer Signature clarinets.

[@CharlotteBrewer000]

My school owns this model and I play it. It’s honestly a pretty solid instrument (I’ve been playing it since December)

[@fluffyx2976]

same dude but these things are from like the 90s i play one rn

[@austinschussler713]

ever considered covering animals by bonobo?? bass clarinet is really cool in it

[@vinkovrsalovic8280]

Are you using your usual recording setup? To my ears it didn't sound very well, but then again I'm not used to listening to student based clarinets.

[@cmckenzie3035]

I find it interesting that you enjoy Selmer's instruments. I have had really bad experiences with them, this was some more low-rangish models but I've found them to have a pretty on-off dynamic range.

[@yellowninja19]

I looking to buy a new Bb clarinet that is made by Selmer and is a professional model. Which models do you recommend? I currently play a Series 9 T Series and looking to upgrade to one that will play more consistently in tune.

[@earspasm]

Try all of the models to see what feels best. Current pro models (new) are Signature, Privilege and Recital. I play the Signature; Katherine (my wife who you see on my channel) plays the Privilege.

[@juniorwiley8860]

I REALLY wish he'd try the Kessler low C and tell us what he thinks.

[@juniorwiley8860]

EXACTLY!!! Kessler isn't marketing his horn as a student model, which makes me wonder. There's only one KZbin review of that low C and it gets a really great score from that reviewer, who states that he's played Selmers and they don't compare. That's really saying something. But Earspasm has literally decades of playing experience and so his review of Kessler low C would be interesting. I'm undecided between the 1430LP and Kessler's, but I think I'm going with Kessler. He stands behind his products and I've never been disappointed.

[@wazzup0906]

I’ve owned that exact bass clarinet for 2 years and I’ve had to repair it for a while cause the company I got it at sold it to me all sorts of messed up

[@seanh9190]

All I ask is for the blackbird cover back uploaded

[@brodypenn]

0:00 what’s on his hand? GOTTEM

[@karlkuehberger4619]

Hallo bei a1 ist der Ton etwas höher weil oft der Öffnungswinkel der gis1 Klappe nicht stimmt! Kann man mit der Schraube verstellen! Hello at a1 the tone is a bit higher because often the opening angle of the gis1 flap is not correct! Can be adjusted with the screw!

[@cillblinton8181]

Hey michael, have you ever gotten your hands on an old conn bass clarinet? Im wondering if they are any good

[@earspasm]

Unfortunately I haven’t

[@nataliejames3]

im using my school bass clarinet a selmer 1430p no lp and it gets very difficult too play low notes because it gets very stuffy even the high notes a high Gb sounds just like a F and a G its so old i dont think they even manufacture it anymore i want my own bass clarinet

[@Samcatiscool]

I'm a tenor player....is 2000 cheap for a bass clarinet????

[@andrewhofmann]

What mouthpiece do you use?

[@MARKLINMAN1]

How do you compare this Bass Clarinet to the Yamaha YZL 221 II Bass Clarinet? Thanks.

[@richarddixon9452]

They are basically the same clarinet derived from the Vito 7166. The Yamaha is better made and doesn't suffer the tuning issues of the low Eb being on the body.

[@TheFinancialAdvocacyPodcast]

This video looked like a great ad for the Ridenour Bass Clarinet to Eb for about the same price and superior tuning characteristics.

[@brianbillings6815]

The keys are supposedly more flimsy on the Ridenour based upon other online reviews.

[@TheFinancialAdvocacyPodcast]

I know that was the issue with the initial models. All of that has (reportedly) been updated and changed a few years ago.

[@maxbehymer8535]

The Alton Brown of clarinet.

[@bassclarinet006]

I have a Yamaha student model and it looks exactly like the selmer.

[@rockysquid1094]

This is the Bass Clarinet that I learned on, then my band director pulled a fast one and switched me to a Yamaha 221II, at first I was excited, then the problems start rolling in. The register key is very, very lazy. The low B is stuffy and muted beyond all recognition. The mouthpiece did not help, until I got a Clark Fobes NOVA, between the sloppy effort when crossing the break and the natural tuning to A442 rather than A440 makes the instrument nearly unusable in a smaller ensemble such as a trio or a quartet. Therefore I am looking into a Kessler and Sons 2nd generation Bass Clarinet.

[@travisjohnson7763]

Would you say you preferred the Selmer to the Yamaha? I notice that Michael seems to be more positive towards the Selmer 1430LP than he is towards the Yamaha student model.

[@chrismontoya7831]

How about the Yamaha student model? I have tried one before and I liked it, but I want to know your thoughts...

[@echecheese]

It tunes sharp so you need to pull the neck a lot.

[@brianbillings6815]

The newer model the YCL-221II tunes to 442 whereas the earlier YCL-221 tuned to 440.

[@brianbillings6815]

I owned the Yamaha student model and it was a very reliable instrument with strong keys. Fit and finish was excellent. Only ever had one issue requiring a repair and that was the peg adjustment fixture fell off the bell and needed to be resoldered. Further, it broke down into a compact case. The original YCL-221 tunes to 440 so IMHO is preferable to the newer YCL-221II. I've not played the Selmer to compare them but the portability of the Yamaha made it preferential for me. Ultimately, I based my decision on availability and price. I looked for and bought a used one in excellent condition for half the price or less of new since the bodies are so durable.

[@kaelinrising3292]

this is the one I use, so i'd like to see this too. it's interesting to see a professional go over things students wouldn't notice as much

[@damiancrowley666]

Chris Montoya I play on a Yamaha Student Model YCL- 221 and I’ve been playing it for about six months and I personally love it, but mine is school owned and from like 2001 so it’s kinda old but if I buy a bass clarinet in the future, it will most certainly be a Yamaha Student Model. Edit: I forgot to mention the one repair I had to have done in the six months I’ve had it. So, I played my scale for my director as a test grade. None of the upper octave was even close to working. My band director asked if it was me or the horn. I said it was me. At the time I had only been playing for a few weeks so I had no clue what made the horn function so I didn’t know the actual problem. So then, a week later they gave me a retry to see if I could do any better. When I played the upper octave horribly for the second time, one of the other band directors realized that my register key was messed up. On bass clarinet, there are two register key things. The top one that makes the high notes play was not opening. So then, a different band director who is a clarinet player comes and takes apart my entire register key. Apparently there was something stuck or something. They made me play my scale again and I played it perfectly. Next time, I’m gonna at least ask if they can check for problems cause I obviously had no idea what I was doing. That’s the only repair I’ve been around to see. I don’t know if there have been any others.

[@cameronrobinson3653]

That is the exact bass clarinet I play in high school band

[@00DirectorsCut00]

Hi, great video. I really like to have a tosca but don't have money 😅 can you please suggest some brand/model to check (also old and used) of affordable b clarinet low to c? Thanks

[@pyschonashe210]

You have the same type of bass clarinet as me

[@niko_mo7]

Check out the Buffet 1180 student model bass clarinet😗

[@matthew0757]

They’re so expensive there like 6 grand

[@jmathesonjr]

I will add my two cents worth of thoughts here. I have played the Yamaha, Selmer, and Buffet Bass Clarinets. I find that the Yamahas are much easier for me to play in tune and project better than the other two brands. This could be due to my playing a Yamaha Baritone Saxophone for the last 27 years. I wonder how this one here will age. I have not had good luck with older Selmer Bass Clarinets, especially the student models. The keys seem to soften after awhile bending easily. I also think that my experience with Yamaha Saxophones also adds to my lack of comfort with Selmer clarinets in general. They feel weird in my hands compared to the Yamaha Clarinets. I do play an old Selmer Clarinet now, but would trade it for a Yamaha in a heart beat, if I could find one with a large bore like mine. I would have been curious to hear this Bass Clarinet with the stock mouthpiece. I wonder how it would have tuned with the smaller mouthpiece and a stiffer reed. Being smaller than the low C, which is what Mr. Lowenstern plays regularly, I have to wonder if the mouthpiece he is using would work better on a low C Bass Clarinet and if the tuning would have been better starting with the stock mouthpiece. Just a thought.

[@MARKLINMAN1]

Very good point here. I also wonder how this bass clarinet would sound with a PRESTIGE neck, to me the NECK is where the magic happens, its like a MKVI tenor, some are INCREDIBLE and others are so so, it has to do with the NECK.

[@JAMes-vc6gd]

i use this one from school, the register key gets stuck a lot (The little hole at the top won`t open sometimes) Any advice?

[@babaeggue]

I know this is super late but I also am having this same problem with mine. Did you ever find a fix for this?

[@JAMes-vc6gd]

@@babaeggue Hey! This happened a long time ago, so I don’t remember if it ever got completely solved. It could have been taken to the store or fixed itself, but I remember I used to used a dollar bill to soak up excess residue, or saliva. Since the dollar is cotton, it’ll absorb the stickiness if you place it over the hole, gently clamp down by closing the register key hole, then slowly pulling the dollar bill out from where it was. I hope this helps!

[@babaeggue]

@@JAMes-vc6gd thank you I'll try this

[@greetxxx455]

What’s the name of the tuning app?

[@diegocuevasg1976]

Greet Xxx iStroboSoft

[@roccogagliano303]

Could you make a video about the eb clarinet?

[@p3rm3abl3bat7]

I have the same clarinet

[@nicolej760]

Do you recommend a low C bass clarinet that is under $2,000?

[@cyborgjonny]

Nicole J no

[@tiny-orange1531]

Nahtanoj Enotsylb Kessler and Sons Bass Clarinet.

[@dwizkid1087]

No because the metal used on those instruments is cheap and they go out of adjustment all the time.

[@exiled_tuscani7660]

I’m a whole 4 months late but Allora makes some

[@ronaldthomas74]

My Vito LeBlanc bass clarinet, is easily ,, to play just like this one ... low E flat student model !!!

[@Whybother53]

I have a Selmer 1430p. Anyone know what the difference is between the 1430p and the 1430lp?

[@mikesaxclar]

Ryan Olberg the 1430lp has leather pads instead of the more traditional felt and skin pads.

[@martinreid1510]

1430p is the same as the older Bundy models and has the low Eb on the bell. The 1430LP is just like the Leblanc/Vito L7168 and has the low Eb on the body instead. It's the same parent company, so I'm not sure why they still offer the two models.

[@fsdhuy]

imo still better than the YCL 221

[@alexmusicccb]

Pensei que esse instrumento era um vito 7168 pela campana gordinha e pelo mib no corpo do instrumento.

[@hollythomasson3601]

I don't know, for $2G, IMHO it should play great right out of the box.

[@richarddixon9452]

No woodwind made and shipped halfway around the world will stay in adjustment. They all need to be adjusted out of the box when new. just like pianos need to be tuned after moving.

[@NekoOkto]

Odd that you say that bands tune to those notes... I've never tuned to anything but a concert Bb or concert F...

[@julianruiz8524]

Those notes are a bit more typical for wind band. Orchestras always tune to concert A tho.

[@calvindelaney7114]

Why does it have 2 register keys, and one isn’t supposed to open up

[@richarddixon9452]

It doesn't. It only has one register key, the other is for throat Bb. Cost. They extra mechanism to make an automatic double register key like on a professional bass clarinet would add a couple of hundred dollars. Frankly most student bass clarinets do fine without it. But it does make a pro bass clarinet perform better in the upper register below D. But the difference is not worth the expense at the $2000 price point. At $18,000 it is.

[@TwinsFun]

My school has one of these, unfortunately it is absolutely trash! The octave key is unreliable and the upper register sometimes sounds bad.

[@gangifreek17]

I have a wooden bass clarinet that says conn

[@alexmusicccb]

Eu tenho um clarone baixo da marca conn.

[@claygross5341]

I play one of those for school and they don’t hold up to well.

[@Par-se1ih]

My school owns like 10 of these

[@keanum1286]

At the very beginning of the video look at his hand 👌

[@gabespears9473]

I play a selmer u.s.a bass clarinet.

[@yangel5652]

who else plays bass clarinet... I'm not good but I play it.

[@gabespears9473]

I do

[@pyschonashe210]

I do

[@rg2ndchannel827]

Its funny because my school purchased this bass....and it does not sound as good as your saying this one is😂

[@davesion01]

RG 2nd Channel what mouthpiece are you using

[@leonardopalma3730]

Same! I tried that horn with my Selmer C** mouthpiece and it played very unevenly out of the box, my professional Selmer plays so much better all around.

[@rg2ndchannel827]

davesion01 Vandoren B50

[@messilione1287]

RG 2nd Channel My school got the same but only one work and the others one doesn't

[@_cwitt]

I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS INSTRUMENT. It is EXTREMELY resistant compared to other bass clarinets, making it hard to get a full, rich sound. Notes come across very airy. I normally play on a strength 3 Vandoren V12, but I had to go down to go down to a strength 2 Vandoren V12 to get the same sound on this instrument. There are so many better options that will play much easier and with a much nicer tone.

[@julianruiz8524]

Well there are a few factors to take into account when playing a new instrument. Even though instruments are made by a machine in exact dimensions, no two instruments will play the same. So you probably got one that was a bit off.

[@jakgff5885]

lmao your just now realizing what we all realized when schools made us use these as "marching horns" resonate chalumeau terrible b and c and that shit octave system, on older models there's not even 2 so you can't even play Clarion g a b c

[@vacuumlover1]

I hate the look of that bell

[@Xantiumful]

I am a bassist why am i watching this

[@loserpiatt]

Not hard rubber, check your facts

[@earspasm]

I stand corrected.

[@ericdano]

gee, a selmer sponsored reviewed "honestly". Uh huh. You should really try and review a bunch then draw conclusions.

[@earspasm]

Have a look at the rest of my review videos. Then draw conclusions. I'm generally very fair I think. People, do you agree?

[@rayzhang5551]

Earspasm Music I think this was an honest review. the tuning is really good for a student bass clarinet, especially for only $2k. yeah the B and C are sharp, but I think that's the result of Selmer trying to make the low E and F a 12th below (basically without register key) pretty in tune, which is rare on any clarinet, soprano or bass. maybe putting electrical tape in certain tone holes would help lower the pitch of the tuning B and C to a reasonable level. the keywork and overall feel of the instrument has always been a strength of Selmer, so I'm not surprised when you say that the keys feel sturdy. is this the best student bass clarinet? I'm not sure, but it's pretty darn good.

[@chrismontoya7831]

Earspasm Music you addressed just as many flaws as with the others you've done. I'd say that's pretty fair...