Just demonstrated the Royal Global MAX Bass Clarinet in the Vendor Exhibit Hall at the BC Music Educators Association Provincial Conference here in Vancouver and sold four before the show officially opened! A highly experienced national vendor three rows of booths away assumed I was playing my Selmer Privilege, and was floored, and doubly floored when he heard the price of the MAX Bass. Then triply floored when I told them that was the price in Canadian dollars. Congratulations, Royal Global!
I picked out the 2nd clarinet as having a weaker sound in the low register, while both Royals were VERY similar. As someone playing in my local college band (they allow community members) and mostly a hobby player now as an adult, I believe this video has me sold on wanting the MAX.
“Mikey likes it!“ I love the old videos… Michael Lowenstern, I also very much appreciate all of your excellent videos. Somehow, on the listening test, I nailed the order… Regardless, this looks like an excellent product for students, and maybe for some of my theater, gigs, and outside gigs.
Interesting you brought up the older instruments as one of the categories of people who should look at this; I've got an ancient noblet bass clari and while i love the beasty (and got it for a bargain) its intonation is "not the best" so I'm always considering instruments like this (low c and double register but not $10,000+). Thanks for the review; this kinda stuff helps a lot!
I think once im able to upgrade I'm definitely going to buy this one from your site mainly for the reason that it comes with a pro setup free of any premium. I imagine because you said these horns frequently come with issues (i feel like it's because of the dust-resin material), but it is still definitely a huge bonus over other instruments. now just gotta get 5.5k (cad lol)
IMO the Polaris and Max share a very similar sound; bright, responsive, and full. However, there was still a noticeable difference between the Polaris and Max. On the Max, there was a bit of resistance in the clarion, especially when transitioning from the chalumeau to the clarion register; it almost sounded like there was a leak somewhere in the instrument. That being said, the Max definitely sounded a lot fuller than the Kessler, which simply had a "deader" response in general and a very nasally sound in the clarion register that basically lets the listener know "I'm playing in a difficult register". My only concern would be the Max's material. If the composite material on the Max proves to last with frequent use, I think it will be a no-brainer purchase for anyone looking for a mid-range bass. The Max's keywork is an absolute godsend for any instrument in the sub $4000 category.
Honestly I’m not a huge fan of the sound on the Polaris, and preferred the max. Having said that, for the price point it makes it the ideal student or budget instrument (and nothing wrong with professional players on a budget instrument… I got my first orchestral job on an E-11 A clarinet, and it was a very competitive audition). If I was in the market and didn’t have the cash I’d be happy with this horn.
E cheaper instruments doesn't mean it's not as good as a more expensive one. We all know that many times what we are paying is the brand, even if the instrument does not sound up to the price at which it is sold. It is also true that quality control in the main brands is very doubtful. Otherwise, it is inexplicable how we must choose between 10 instruments to decide. development with synthetic or mixed materials is the future. Wood is a scarce material, in addition, it is exposed to contrasts of temperature, pressure, humidity. there are no synthetic instruments in the major brands because they don't want to make them right. The example is the Buffet Prodige, which is basically an R13 that hasn't been given enough love to make it tune well. but otherwise, it's an instrument that could very well be professional, at a price of 700 dollars. it is up to us to stop paying absurd sums for anything. I say it, I am a user of two R13 in Bb, one in A and a Tosca bass
Thanks, Michael...I've been working to get Massullo Music as the Canadian distributor since trying the MAX at the Clarinetfest and expect the first instrument in Canada soon to demonstrate to every high school in Vancouver. Here's to the end in sight for all the *BCSO's out there that teach students to hate our beautiful instrument! (*That's Bass Clarinet Shaped Objects, folks....)
Sounds like I fit into one of those demographics! I’ve been looking to upgrade from my low Eb student model for awhile now. Especially considering there’s a piece I want to play that goes from low Ab to low Eb really quickly that I simply can’t do on my bass clarinet.
I'm surprised I got the hearing test 3 for 3. I honestly just guessed for the first one, and I noticed that the 2nd one sounded slightly less in-tune than the other two.
I currently play horn and I don’t want to sound like how I am about to, but I know I’m really good at horn for only playing it a few years. I played clarinet for the first half of sixth grade and then switched to horn. I want to go back to clarinet, and I just discovered a love for the sound of the bass clarinet. I was actually about to buy a Classical Limited from Royal, but stopped when I saw this video. The only thing stopping me from switching is my director. She didn’t want me to switch from clarinet to horn, and now she doesn’t want me to switch to clarinet. I want to ask her again but I’m not completely sure about it.
Your director is probably thinking about the needs of their ensemble. Ultimately, play what you want to play, but if there's a community band in your area, maybe play the clarinet with them and the horn where you do currently. You get to have experience in both instruments and your director doesn't have to worry about losing an instrument
hey man, thank you for the review and the work you punt into the channel. quick question and i'd appreciate an answer since i'm trying to decide what to buy in the following day or two. how would you compare the Yamaha YCL 622 (up until Low C) to this? I need a Low C instrument and there's a 622 second hand one available and a MAX near, both of them are more or less the same price. thank you!
Well, damn. I didn't like the middle one nearly as much as the first and third, yet the Kessler is what I have, which I bought back in Feb. 2020. Now I wish I'd have waited or known about this other maker!
I'm currently the only bass clarinet in my marching band of about 120 people and I want a new bass clarinet but my mother is still paying off my current one which is an old selmer bass clarinet of some variety.
heyyy me too, i play on a friend's kessler gen 2 low C and its not bad, but i must say that it gets out of adjustment EXTREMELY QUICKLY, now this is likely due to climate and the fact that marching is quite stressful on instruments especially woodwind, but just something to note. so imo good keywork is probably something you should also consider
Your reviews are so informative, Michael. Thank you! Could someone point in the direction of bass clarinets that would accommodate a 4'10" person with small hands and a short reach, like me? Or do I need to accept as fact that bass clarinets are too big for me? At least then I'd know to stop wasting time looking.
Not sure if this helps or is still relevant, but I'm not that much bigger at a staggering 5'2. Starting bass clarinet was a bit of a struggle reaching for the keys back when I was in sixth grade, but past a few months in I've never had an issue reaching for keys, even after moving to a buffet prestige in college. What I mean by this is you might just have to power through it for a bit (obviously taking breaks and listening to your body) but it's still probable that your body will adjust and you can play and reach everything without an issue. Now finding a tall enough chair? - I'll fill you in on a solution if I ever find one... Good luck!
Yep, exactly my thoughts and now a serious consideration. It's kind of scary to be playing a B'way show or in the orchestra full time and only have one bass clarinet (because you still can't afford two of those top-of-the-line horns anyway), when anything can happen and you don't have a backup and good luck accessing a qualified tech at a half hour notice.
Semi-professional: pit-band players, jazz bari-sax guys who need a bass clarinet for big-band work, music teachers, players in community orchestras, school bands and orchestras who are upgrading. Anywhere it needs to sound pretty damn good, but doesn't need to be perfect.
OH MY LORD IM SO DUMB Why did it take me so much time to realize you are Michael Lowenstern. I first saw you on yt and I was like: huh, this guy looks familiar. Then I saw you on the selmer website and it kinda clicked there. still can't get over how stupid I am
I've always wondered how Buffet can justify their Greenline version of the Prestige being exactly the same price as the the normal wooden version. The fact that Royal Global can offer a composite version of the Polaris at such a significant price reduction would seem to be conclusive evidence that they can't!
I played (long ago) saxes and flute. It was a natural combination, as both saxes and flutes have quite similar fingerings and overblow to the octave. I tried clarinet, but just couldn't get used to the fingering, as it overblows to the 12th.
I cannot stress enough that us sax players NEED a clarinet teacher to teach us how to form a proper CLARINET embouchure, how to articulate like a CLARINETIST, how to hold the darn thing like a CLARINET, and essentially how to play the clarinet LIKE A CLARINET!!!😅😅😅 I speak very passionately from personal experience. When you learn to approach it like a clarinet, NOT a little black saxophone, everything becomes so much easier!🤯
For me it was hard to judge these instruments. Although you have great technique, you treat it like a clarinet and play it like a clarinet not a BASS clarinet. I've been playing in Community bands and Church orchestras for 55 years. In this repertoire, the bass clarinet spends 90% of its time in the middle and low chalumeau registers. The excursions into the clarion usually stop around G on the staff. I've played maybe 15 pieces that go to C above the staff or beyond and those are cello transcriptions. However Sousa was not shy about stretching the bass clarinet. It's very apparent that you are an orchestral not a band player. HOWEVER! 90% of the market for student and intermediate bass clarinets will be high school, college and Community concert bands. I would like to see some reviews with more emphasis on the low registers of these instrument. Thanks for all you do to help us. Just an occasional shift of focus sometime would be helpful.
I have a question. Does it really matter to level up thickness of Bass Clarinet reeds? I feel like I’ve heard of really good players that use 3.0s and 2.5s.
No, reed strength, brand, or cut is not determinate of your playing skills at all. The only thing that matters about a reed is that it suits your playing needs the best, and of course, so you enjoy it! The guidelines I assume most musicians, including myself go by is that the larger the tip opening on your mouthpiece, the softer the reed, and the smaller the tip opening, the stronger the reed.
Just demonstrated the Royal Global MAX Bass Clarinet in the Vendor Exhibit Hall at the BC Music Educators Association Provincial Conference here in Vancouver and sold four before the show officially opened! A highly experienced national vendor three rows of booths away assumed I was playing my Selmer Privilege, and was floored, and doubly floored when he heard the price of the MAX Bass. Then triply floored when I told them that was the price in Canadian dollars. Congratulations, Royal Global!
Enjoyed the 70s commercials as much as the regularly scheduled programming. Thanks for the musical walk down memory lane!
I was actually eating slices of fried SPAM while watching this video lmao. Can't wait for a video of the mopane uebel bass!
I bought one, it is great! Thank you for your informative review and playing.
I picked out the 2nd clarinet as having a weaker sound in the low register, while both Royals were VERY similar. As someone playing in my local college band (they allow community members) and mostly a hobby player now as an adult, I believe this video has me sold on wanting the MAX.
Thank you, Mike! Fantastic review, and yes, looking at RG MAX as a backup for my 67.
awesome video, youre my inspiration for playing bass clarinet and your vids are insanely helpful
“Mikey likes it!“
I love the old videos…
Michael Lowenstern, I also very much appreciate all of your excellent videos.
Somehow, on the listening test, I nailed the order…
Regardless, this looks like an excellent product for students, and maybe for some of my theater, gigs, and outside gigs.
Interesting you brought up the older instruments as one of the categories of people who should look at this; I've got an ancient noblet bass clari and while i love the beasty (and got it for a bargain) its intonation is "not the best" so I'm always considering instruments like this (low c and double register but not $10,000+). Thanks for the review; this kinda stuff helps a lot!
I think once im able to upgrade I'm definitely going to buy this one from your site mainly for the reason that it comes with a pro setup free of any premium. I imagine because you said these horns frequently come with issues (i feel like it's because of the dust-resin material), but it is still definitely a huge bonus over other instruments. now just gotta get 5.5k (cad lol)
IMO the Polaris and Max share a very similar sound; bright, responsive, and full. However, there was still a noticeable difference between the Polaris and Max. On the Max, there was a bit of resistance in the clarion, especially when transitioning from the chalumeau to the clarion register; it almost sounded like there was a leak somewhere in the instrument.
That being said, the Max definitely sounded a lot fuller than the Kessler, which simply had a "deader" response in general and a very nasally sound in the clarion register that basically lets the listener know "I'm playing in a difficult register".
My only concern would be the Max's material. If the composite material on the Max proves to last with frequent use, I think it will be a no-brainer purchase for anyone looking for a mid-range bass. The Max's keywork is an absolute godsend for any instrument in the sub $4000 category.
Honestly I’m not a huge fan of the sound on the Polaris, and preferred the max. Having said that, for the price point it makes it the ideal student or budget instrument (and nothing wrong with professional players on a budget instrument… I got my first orchestral job on an E-11 A clarinet, and it was a very competitive audition). If I was in the market and didn’t have the cash I’d be happy with this horn.
E cheaper instruments doesn't mean it's not as good as a more expensive one. We all know that many times what we are paying is the brand, even if the instrument does not sound up to the price at which it is sold. It is also true that quality control in the main brands is very doubtful. Otherwise, it is inexplicable how we must choose between 10 instruments to decide. development with synthetic or mixed materials is the future. Wood is a scarce material, in addition, it is exposed to contrasts of temperature, pressure, humidity. there are no synthetic instruments in the major brands because they don't want to make them right. The example is the Buffet Prodige, which is basically an R13 that hasn't been given enough love to make it tune well. but otherwise, it's an instrument that could very well be professional, at a price of 700 dollars. it is up to us to stop paying absurd sums for anything. I say it, I am a user of two R13 in Bb, one in A and a Tosca bass
Thanks, Michael...I've been working to get Massullo Music as the Canadian distributor since trying the MAX at the Clarinetfest and expect the first instrument in Canada soon to demonstrate to every high school in Vancouver. Here's to the end in sight for all the *BCSO's out there that teach students to hate our beautiful instrument! (*That's Bass Clarinet Shaped Objects, folks....)
If you were instrumental in Massullo Music bringing them in, thank you, I just picked mine up from there yesterday!
Sounds like I fit into one of those demographics! I’ve been looking to upgrade from my low Eb student model for awhile now. Especially considering there’s a piece I want to play that goes from low Ab to low Eb really quickly that I simply can’t do on my bass clarinet.
“Just in case your car runs over it but how often does that happen?”
Saxologic: *intense flashbacks*
Good thing Nathan doesn't play the clarinet.
@@txsphere running over any instrument with a car is bad for the instrument
@@evann03 bruh it was a joke
Love the old commercials and the review.
I'm surprised I got the hearing test 3 for 3. I honestly just guessed for the first one, and I noticed that the 2nd one sounded slightly less in-tune than the other two.
I currently play horn and I don’t want to sound like how I am about to, but I know I’m really good at horn for only playing it a few years. I played clarinet for the first half of sixth grade and then switched to horn. I want to go back to clarinet, and I just discovered a love for the sound of the bass clarinet. I was actually about to buy a Classical Limited from Royal, but stopped when I saw this video. The only thing stopping me from switching is my director. She didn’t want me to switch from clarinet to horn, and now she doesn’t want me to switch to clarinet. I want to ask her again but I’m not completely sure about it.
Your director is probably thinking about the needs of their ensemble. Ultimately, play what you want to play, but if there's a community band in your area, maybe play the clarinet with them and the horn where you do currently. You get to have experience in both instruments and your director doesn't have to worry about losing an instrument
hey man, thank you for the review and the work you punt into the channel. quick question and i'd appreciate an answer since i'm trying to decide what to buy in the following day or two. how would you compare the Yamaha YCL 622 (up until Low C) to this? I need a Low C instrument and there's a 622 second hand one available and a MAX near, both of them are more or less the same price. thank you!
Well, damn. I didn't like the middle one nearly as much as the first and third, yet the Kessler is what I have, which I bought back in Feb. 2020. Now I wish I'd have waited or known about this other maker!
😔
I'm currently the only bass clarinet in my marching band of about 120 people and I want a new bass clarinet but my mother is still paying off my current one which is an old selmer bass clarinet of some variety.
heyyy me too, i play on a friend's kessler gen 2 low C and its not bad, but i must say that it gets out of adjustment EXTREMELY QUICKLY, now this is likely due to climate and the fact that marching is quite stressful on instruments especially woodwind, but just something to note. so imo good keywork is probably something you should also consider
Your reviews are so informative, Michael. Thank you!
Could someone point in the direction of bass clarinets that would accommodate a 4'10" person with small hands and a short reach, like me? Or do I need to accept as fact that bass clarinets are too big for me? At least then I'd know to stop wasting time looking.
Not sure if this helps or is still relevant, but I'm not that much bigger at a staggering 5'2. Starting bass clarinet was a bit of a struggle reaching for the keys back when I was in sixth grade, but past a few months in I've never had an issue reaching for keys, even after moving to a buffet prestige in college. What I mean by this is you might just have to power through it for a bit (obviously taking breaks and listening to your body) but it's still probable that your body will adjust and you can play and reach everything without an issue.
Now finding a tall enough chair? - I'll fill you in on a solution if I ever find one...
Good luck!
That is a really nice sounding instrument.
For backup pro musician too!
Yep, exactly my thoughts and now a serious consideration. It's kind of scary to be playing a B'way show or in the orchestra full time and only have one bass clarinet (because you still can't afford two of those top-of-the-line horns anyway), when anything can happen and you don't have a backup and good luck accessing a qualified tech at a half hour notice.
Well I got them right! I would be happy with the Max sound, but perhaps the jury is out on the longevity of these ‘composite’ materials.
Music medic has had a bass like this for a while, but I haven't seen anybody get their hands on one 👀👀👀
I'm hoping to get a student bass clarinet but I'm not sure exactly which one to get
2 questions. What mouthpiece are you using for this and where should I buy that mouthpiece? 2nd question is where should I buy this?
Semi-professional: pit-band players, jazz bari-sax guys who need a bass clarinet for big-band work, music teachers, players in community orchestras, school bands and orchestras who are upgrading. Anywhere it needs to sound pretty damn good, but doesn't need to be perfect.
Nice t-shirt 🤓
OH MY LORD IM SO DUMB
Why did it take me so much time to realize you are Michael Lowenstern.
I first saw you on yt and I was like: huh, this guy looks familiar. Then I saw you on the selmer website and it kinda clicked there.
still can't get over how stupid I am
I've always wondered how Buffet can justify their Greenline version of the Prestige being exactly the same price as the the normal wooden version. The fact that Royal Global can offer a composite version of the Polaris at such a significant price reduction would seem to be conclusive evidence that they can't!
THIS! Buffet is selling a plastic clarinet (a good one) at the price of a wooden one.
Any tips for a saxophonist who has minimal clarinet experience wanting to double on bass clarinet. I play bari and tenor
I played (long ago) saxes and flute. It was a natural combination, as both saxes and flutes have quite similar fingerings and overblow to the octave. I tried clarinet, but just couldn't get used to the fingering, as it overblows to the 12th.
Like I said I have some minimal clarinet experience off and on. I never got them confused but thats just me
I cannot stress enough that us sax players NEED a clarinet teacher to teach us how to form a proper CLARINET embouchure, how to articulate like a CLARINETIST, how to hold the darn thing like a CLARINET, and essentially how to play the clarinet LIKE A CLARINET!!!😅😅😅 I speak very passionately from personal experience. When you learn to approach it like a clarinet, NOT a little black saxophone, everything becomes so much easier!🤯
@@oscah_whisky Amen to that
@@foolishwatcher i have the same issue switching from clarinet to sax, i'm way too used to overblowing to the 12th
For me it was hard to judge these instruments. Although you have great technique, you treat it like a clarinet and play it like a clarinet not a BASS clarinet. I've been playing in Community bands and Church orchestras for 55 years. In this repertoire, the bass clarinet spends 90% of its time in the middle and low chalumeau registers. The excursions into the clarion usually stop around G on the staff. I've played maybe 15 pieces that go to C above the staff or beyond and those are cello transcriptions. However Sousa was not shy about stretching the bass clarinet. It's very apparent that you are an orchestral not a band player. HOWEVER! 90% of the market for student and intermediate bass clarinets will be high school, college and Community concert bands. I would like to see some reviews with more emphasis on the low registers of these instrument. Thanks for all you do to help us. Just an occasional shift of focus sometime would be helpful.
hello i am learining the bass clairinet. i had to tell you, your "so you want to be a base clarinet player" playlist isnt in order.
I have a question. Does it really matter to level up thickness of Bass Clarinet reeds? I feel like I’ve heard of really good players that use 3.0s and 2.5s.
No, reed strength, brand, or cut is not determinate of your playing skills at all. The only thing that matters about a reed is that it suits your playing needs the best, and of course, so you enjoy it! The guidelines I assume most musicians, including myself go by is that the larger the tip opening on your mouthpiece, the softer the reed, and the smaller the tip opening, the stronger the reed.
Oh and a reed strength comparison chart is a very good tool if you ever switch different cuts or brands of reeds
Polaris clearly sounded the best
It's *MIKEY!!!*
Made in China...