Kessler Custom Heavy-Mass Bass Clarinet Neck
Kessler Custom Heavy-Mass Bass Clarinet Neck
Compatible with second gen Kessler bass clarinets only (it will not work on other similar bass clarinets from other nameplates), this neck's added mass and heavy plating stiffens the metal, and more efficiently transfers the vibrating air from the mouthpiece to the body of the instrument. While this may sound like snake-oil, it isn't; you want the neck of your bass clarinet to be super-stiff, and not self-resonate.
Think of this like heating your house—you want to insulate it from the heat leaking outside. This is the same thing with vibrating air: if the neck vibrates, you lose energy before the air hits the body of the instrument...which is what you WANT vibrating.
Michael's description of the second generation neck was very accurate! Definitely improved the sound and response around the horn.
I have been very happy with the 2nd Generation Kessler bass clarinet, but the new neck elevates the instrument to a whole new level. Everything that the copy says on the website is true and more. There seems to be more core to the sound, crossing the break is smoother, and everything above the break is much more responsive. I can't say enough good things about it. A really great neck.
Absolutely love this neck!