Jinbao Contrabass Clarinet Update
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- The Jinbao Contrabass Clarinet is back from getting fixed up and is now playing really well!
Shout-outs to Amanda Morrison at Morrison Music Repairs for fixing it up for me. If you're based far-east of Melbourne CBD (near Ringwood/Kilsyth kinda area) then Amanda's your best bet, she's based at Mt Evelyn. 🙂
Check out Hugo Querios' video on his awesome contrabass clarinet case and peg set-up - • My 340 Leblanc "paperc...
I do wish that the Jinbao came apart in the middle for a super compact case, but the one-piece case is not too bad with backpack straps now i've fixed the internals!
Subscribe to this channel to see more updates when I get other players to try this instrument out. Also follow me on Instagram for pics of various music-y things @toohey.b 😂 Comment below with thoughts/questions! Cheers!
Looks and sounds great congrats! Contras ftw 👏👏
Been wanting a low c paperclip contra for quite some time and this looks and sounds quite good considering its less than half the price of a good used leblanc.
absolutely. same for me hence why I bought this one! happy to help spread the word so others can follow suit 🙂
Your videos about this Contra have helped me to decide to actually get one. It's in the process right now. I'm thinking about getting a Clark W. Forbes San Francisco model mpc.
Well now I kinda want one. I have an EEb paperclip and my friend's BBb paperclip and loved it. I wish I played contra often enough to justify the price of the "real thing" but this is almost cheap enough to be a good alternative.
exactly my thoughts also. I think it's a great bargain buy contrabass. Less than half of a comparable Leblanc. I also have a Bundy Eb contra-alto that I got super cheap, it's a great instrument. love it!
@@musokid89 If you don't mind me asking-- What is a good price in your opinion for a second-hand Bundy Eb Contra-Alto? I'm on the fence about buying one that I've spotted in the past couple weeks..
@@AppyLilOshy When I was looking at them online, a lot of them were around the $1000-$1200 AUD mark depending on condition but I think that's asking too much. I picked up mine (without a neck) for $500 but tracking down an original neck ended up costing almost as much haha
I'm glad that worked out well for you.
Just thinking out loud, I don't think you should move the ring. It might look ugly where it used to be. Just get a new one added.
On to the update 2.0 video ;)
yea we ended up just adding another ring lower down and keeping the original one where it was. another update video coming soon! 👍
Have you experimented with synthetic reeds? The last time I played contra, I found Legere reeds made a huge difference--- much more stable and manageable than cane. I have not been won over by synthetic reeds for the higher instruments--- I usually find them kind of stuffy and unresponsive, but the contra is an exception. These videos are making me miss playing bass and contra!
Yep, I've mainly played Legeres on contra-alto and they've worked better than the cane ones I've tried. On this contra-bass however I've found the opposite is true, but I think that's just because the Legeres are the wrong strength, I need some softer ones. I am using 2.0 Vandorens at the moment for contra-bass. Will hopefully get some softer Legeres sometime soon. 🙂
Could you run through some etudes or something lyrical? Would like to be able to hear the instrument play more
yes, will do!
I've filmed the first Rose etude on it and will record a few more things. New video should be up next week New video should be coming out next week 👍
@@musokid89 awesome, looking forward to it!
Mr Toohey
Fabulous update‼️
You are sounding very strong.
Do Consider an extra, lower strap ring rather than moving that one: the instrument is top heavy.
The case repair is grand, brilliant.
What problems will you attempt to solve on the next tech visit?
How are the throat tones❓
Are you playing it in the clarion register yet?
What is the actual weight and “feel”compared to the Leblanc?
Waiting for the next show‼️
J D Parran NY NY
Thanks for your comments and questions! Definitely think I'll add a separate neck strap ring down lower, I suppose the standard one can stay where it is even if I don't use it. Case is coming along nicely but not finished yet, just gotta glue all the inserts together. Next tech visit will be the neck-strap ring and maybe the dent repair but that's less of a priority atm. Throat tones are good, I might get the A key moved to a slightly more ergonomic position though. I suck at crossing the break, I can get up there by playing the corresponding low note and adding the register key but transitioning from throat Bb to long B is difficult for me. Will see what some other decent players can do with their better mouthpieces. The instrument doesn't feel heavy to me, in the case it's lighter than a Yamaha bari sax wood-shell case. I'll ask some Leblanc owners if it feels heavier or lighter! Stay tuned for more updates!
Is this actually real??!!! I know it is but still it is so amazing considering the price and the LOW C! Thanks for sharing, and is this instrument available still?
Sitting with a contra alto, a tuba stand works well for me.
Awaiting the next update.
Next week! Subscribe so you don't miss it 😛 👍
Contrabass player here -- I've been playing LeBlanc contras and Bundy contra altos for 18 years now, and if you're able to adjust, I recommend trying Vandoren 4s. They'll work fine on stock LeBlanc mouthpieces; I currently use Clarke Fobes San Franciscos. (Also note that LeBlanc contra altos and contrabasses use the same mouthpiece). (This said, it's always best to use a setup that works best for the individual player)
With that said, how does the top end of this contra sound? Gillingham called for an altissimo G in one of his pieces; how thin does the high end's timbre get?
Good show Brendan! I was wondering if you will check it against a tuner to see how it performs in tune. I play a Fobes SF contra mouthpiece on a low D Leblanc paper clip that works well. Of course your experience may differ. I like Legere reeds for the contra since any long rests will will dry out a cane reed. Your break problems may be better with a well moist reed or a synthetic. I look forward to your next update. Thanks for posting.
Just you wait and see what I got in the next video 😛 haha I'll definitely do a quick tuning test. I use 3.25-3.5 Legeres on my Bundy contra-alto but they're too strong for the stock mouthpiece this came with. I'll keep experimenting with them and might try and get some 2.0-2.25 Legeres and try those too 👍 new video should hopefully be out next week!
Because they are new reeds, have you tried soaking a brand new reed before using it? It helps to soften it a bit, which will make it easier to get a sound out of.
turns out the mouthpiece was causing the biggest problems, I've got an update on that coming very soon! 😛
How much did the service cost
Would you recommend to get a Pelican case for this? You would still be way under budget for a contra. How much is the tab for this project so far? I have been on the fence to order it from Alibaba for years.
Hey there, a Pelican case for it would be good but I like the backpack straps on the original case. If the fabric shell starts to fall apart I’ll move my contra-alto to a different case and use the pelican case for the contrabass. All it’s cost me is the price of the set-up, case foam and reeds so still way under $3500 AUD total.
I live in Queensland Australia and I’ve been looking for a contrabass clarinet, this paperclip contra sounds pretty good would you recommend it or should I try get a Leblanc Contra?
Hey Andy, I'm from Brisbane originally and went through QLD con. I think the con have a Leblanc contra (same as QYO) and I think QWO bought an Eppelsheim contra! If you haven't played contra before I recommend getting in touch with any of those organisations and asking if you can have a go. If you've played a bit of contra and know what you're looking for, the Jinbao one plays very similarly to an old Leblanc paperclip at only a fraction of the price. If you don't need a low C, the plastic Leblanc USA to low Eb is a decent horn also, though even they can be a bit pricey if buying new. The cost of a straight Leblanc to Eb might even be more than the cost of the Jinbao paperclip to low C!? I do recommend to try some Leblancs and if you like them then go for the Jinbao, it's a great value buy! I'm happy to answer any other questions you have too if needed 🙂 Go the maroons haha
@@musokid89 I’ve never touched a contra clarinet but I’ve always dreamed of playing one, I play the soprano Bb and Bass clarinet. I’ve been looking for a cheap contra clarinet that I could persuade my mum to buy. The Jinbao one seems like a bargain that’s to good to be true, perhaps you could educate me on contra clarinets to help me make a decision.
(My local music shop has a Vito 7182 Bb contrabass clarinet made by Leblanc, but it’s 12,600 dollars)
@@andydai6539 in that case I'd definitely recommend going for the Jinbao paperclip contra! This nickel plated one cost around $3k, then the cost of a set up, a decent mouthpiece/reeds and some foam to remake the case, all up it cost me under $4k total 👍
@@musokid89 If i do go for the Jinbao Contrabass clarinet, what changes should i apply on it, I noticed that you said something about bending the A key to help you roll from An A to an F. Also should i immediantly take the instrument to the music shop to have them asses any damage caused from shipping?
Also how much does it cost in Australian Dollars?
@@andydai6539 I'd get it in your hands first and see what you think it needs. I'd definitely get a repair tech to check over it, it'll probably need a bunch of small adjustments. It's listed as $1500 USD for nickel plating and $2000 USD for silver plating. There'll also be a shipping cost, import tax (usually 10%) and any international transaction/conversion fees. If you get the nickel plating it'll be around $3000 AUD just for it to arrive in the country before any servicing/modification costs etc. Just like any instrument it's an investment which will evolve a bit over time but is well worth it in my opinion.
How much do you think it would cost to get this kind of thing fixed? This has been an on-the-fence purchase for me, but if something came in the condition it came to you in, how much could you expect to pay to get it in working order?
the initial set up only cost about $200. factor in reeds and a mouthpiece and maybe some foam for the case, it's all still well under $4k. I'm loving it now it's all fixed up! New video should be coming out next week 👍
@@musokid89 This is good info! If I may ask, perhaps either in this comment to be answered, or in the next video, how's the tuning? Seems to be the biggest thing not talked about. We've heard the tone, the condition it's in, etc, but no tuning. What do you think?
@@luna9200 I'll cover it in the next video!
@@luna9200 now that it's playing better I'll definitely do a tuning test in the next video, should be out next week! 👍
@@musokid89 Awesome! Looking forward to it!
That was great, but next time tell us more about what it took to get it in working order, including time and cost. For example, Earspasm bought a $100 Amazon clarinet, but then needed to spend an additional $100 at the repair shop to get it in decent working order, e.g. sticky keys, air leaks, etc.
I think I answered it in another comment below. Set up was $200 that involved a third of the pads being adjusted 👍 can go into more depth in next episode
@@musokid89 Okay then, I must have missed that one. I'll go back and check it out.