Vento VECLBV132 Series 800 Model V132 A Clarinet/Bassett Clarinet Combo

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Price: $1,392.65    

Product Feature

• Two interchangeable lower joints
• Made of hard rubber
• Nickel plated keys
• Mouthpiece, ligature and cap
• Includes combination lock case

Product Description

The New and Amazing Vento Series 800 Model V132 A Clarinet/Bassett clarinet combo, offers one of the most exciting products for the clarinetist in recent memory! An A Clarinet with two different lower interchangeable joints. The second joint changes the instrument into a Basset clarinet. Amazing! Made entirely of hard rubber, this instrument produces a gorgeous tone.

Vento VECLBV132 Series 800 Model V132 A Clarinet/Bassett Clarinet Combo Review

Current scholarship has established that Mozart's masterworks for the clarinet -- the Quintet K. 581 and Concerto K. 622 -- were actually composed for a basset clarinet in A, i.e. a clarinet extended to written low C. This instrument was first revived c. 1950 by Rudolf Treibel of Prague, and since then has entered into (albeit limited) production by leading makers such as Buffet and Leblanc. Some modern compositions have been written for the instrument, making it useful not only for Mozart.

The idea of producing a lower-priced basset A clarinet to fit the budgets of students and amateurs is a wonderful one. Hearing Mozart's works as the composer intended them is a revelation, which should be accessible to all.

However, the Vento basset is a great disappointment.

I do have to say that the case is gorgeous: sturdy in construction, with beautifully chromed, strong, smoothly operating locks, an elegant red velveteen interior and quality faux leather exterior. This case efficiently holds a complete A clarinet plus an extra lower joint which has the basset extension to low C.

The clarinet is made of ebonite, with a grained, matte exterior finish. The provided metal ligature is very crude.

The tone is stuffy, whether using the provided mouthpiece, or better ones I had on hand (including a Fobes Debut). Tuning was poor, and response indifferent. I understand that the lowest basset notes are not suited to overblowing to the throat-register range; the attempt produces notes nearly a half-step sharp. But even low Eb has this problem, whereas this works gorgeously on a full-Boehm extending just to Eb.

Worst, the RH pinkie keys are smaller and closer together on the basset joint, resulting in disorientation -- especially because the regular lower joint has normal-size keys. On both lower joints this key group seems to be placed higher than normal, closer to the 4th-finger hole. The adjustable thumb-rest is not enough to compensate for this logistical gaffe. Furthermore, the low C key, played by the right thumb, has a roller on it - but why?? There is no other key to roll from or to, so all the roller does is make this key slippery and hard to hold!

Perhaps a great repairman could correct the tuning and even some response problems (at considerable expense, of course). But the poor logistics are beyond repair.

Paying the discount price for this instrument is ill-advised (I returned mine and got a refund). Paying full price would be insane!

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