Low B extensions for paperclip contrabass clarinets pictured with a custom bell, chromatic (keyed) and non-chromatic (non-keyed).
Demonstration videos
$250.00-$350.00
A completely removeable extension that easily allows you to play a written Low B (sounding A0, lowest note of a piano, take that contrabassoonists!) on your contrabass clarinet!
This extension is designed to fit the Leblanc 340/345 Contrabass Clarinet or the equivalent model now produced by JinBao. This will only work on instruments which are extended to Low C already and will not work on Low D models.
In addition to extending the range of the instrument to Low B, this extension also offers a few other benefits for the instrument. First of all, the Low C is now vented from a tone hole rather than a bell, which gives it a very powerful, reedy tone similar to other notes in the extended register. Additionally, it also has the added benefit of improving the response and feel of the Low C#, opening up the note to be very free-blowing and stable versus the using the stock bell where this note tends to be quite unstable and hard to play. Finally, the wood-composite bell included on the extension allows for production of a powerful Low B and also increases the projection of the instrument elsewhere in the lower register and other registers to a lesser extent. (Note: your existing stock bell may fit on the extension depending on how worn down the socket of the stock bell is, but you may want to just use the included bell after hearing and feeling how amazing it sounds!)
You have a choice of either having a chromatic (keyed) or non-chromatic (non-keyed) extension. The keyed version of the extension will allow you to play both Low C and Low B without having to sacrifice or “set” one of the notes. The non-keyed version will produce a Low C by default through the tone hole, and the tone hole may be plugged or taped over in order to achieve the Low B, in turn sacrificing the Low C.
Note: This extension is only offered in the wood-composite variant. However if you have a burning desire for a different finish, please reach out to inquire about such an order!
Different options available
- Non-chromatic extension (no key) – $250
- Chromatic extension (keyed) – $350
Contact us for inquiries or to place an order!
A little messing around with the low B extensions (extending the extension):