Uebel Superior Plateau Bb Clarinet - Grenadilla/Mopane
Uebel Superior Plateau Bb Clarinet - Grenadilla/Mopane
The Uebel Superior Plateau clarinet is a rare animal: it's a Bb clarinet with closed keys. Why closed keys? Why not?
Never considered a closed-hole clarinet? You're not alone—about 99.98% of clarinet players play "regular" open-hole clarinets, but think about it this way: if you have 1) little or skinny fingers, 2) an ailment that makes it difficult to feel whether your fingers are covering the holes (like peripheral neuropathy), 3) are a sax player that doesn't want to have to deal with covering open holes with your fingers, or 4) a bass clarinet player who is like the sax player in #3...well, this instrument makes it 1,000,000% easier to play the clarinet (and in some cases it's the ONLY way someone can play it!)
It comes in grenadilla or mopane. Same keywork, same bore, same everything else — the grenadilla is the brighter of the two and projects a bit more, the mopane is a little rounder. I wrote a whole article on what the woods actually do if you want to go down that hole.
How it plays
It's not stuffy. That's the headline, because stuffy is what plateau clarinets are famous for, and the old designs earned that reputation. This one doesn't have it. Attacks come off the tongue as fast as anything I carry, in either wood, which is the last thing I expected from a closed-key horn. Sound sits in the middle of my catalog for brightness: not a dark German horn, not a bright French one.
Tuning: the upper chalumeau and throat tones run flat, and the bottom twelfths spread wide — among the widest I've measured in the whole catalog, and both woods do it the same way, so it's the model and not the reed I happened to grab. My best guess is it's a consequence of the closed-key design, but that's a guess and Uebel hasn't told me otherwise. Practically speaking, it means you'll need to pay closer attention to your throat tones and when you cross the break.
Resistance: 8/10, Medium-Heavy
This is one of the more resistant horns I sell. It pushes back when you feed it air, and as a result, it holds its core when you lean on the volume instead of spreading out. If you've been fighting a free-blowing clarinet to keep pitch under control, this is the opposite experience. Hear how it responds to volume in the audio player below — Weber first (wide dynamics, wide color), then the Berlioz (wide dynamics, narrow color), then the Gershwin (narrow on both).
Before you decide
There's no cross-shop here. If you need closed keys, you need closed keys, and the alternative is a 50-year-old Leblanc off eBay or one of the stencil clarinets that some dealers offer (which I've tried — and I really really wanted to like, but they were no better than the old designs).
So the question isn't which horn — it's whether the switch is worth it to you. Plateau takes some getting used to: the keys feel different under your fingers (though the experience isn't unpleasant!). The good news: players who've made the move tell me the adjustment is shorter than they expected. The best news: in the past 5 years of offering these clarinets, we've had exactly zero returned.
Order it and find out for yourself. Seven days, free shipping is on me (both ways) if you're in the continental US.
If covering tone holes is what's standing between you and playing — this is the (only) one you want to try.
View & compare detailed tuning, articulation and timbre data for every clarinet we carry.
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65mm & 66mm Barrels
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Vandoren B45 mouthpiece
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Left-hand Eb/Ab key
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Silver plated keywork
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Adjustable thumb rest with ring
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LP Gore® pads
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Swab, shoulder strap (for case), cork grease, warranty card, etc.
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Case
Leather-covered pochette-style case
FAQ
I wrote a whole article on this that you should read. But the TL;DR version is: Grenadilla, cocobolo, and mopane do sound different. Grenadilla tends to project more, cocobolo feels warmer behind the horn, and mopane refuses to pick a lane and somehow does both. Cracking, however, is almost never about the species. It's about humidity, moisture and temperature differentials, and whether the instrument is being taken care of.
Short answer: All earspasm instruments come with a 7-day trial. Please read my trial policy before pulling out that credit card.
Medium answer: You have 7 days from the date of receipt to try the clarinet. If you don't like it, that's fine (my feelings aren't hurt!) — just let me know and I will send you a return label. Box it all up and send it back. We keep 5% to cover credit card transaction fees and a (hopefully!) brief round trip back to Miles or John — my technicians — to do a reset on the horn.
Long answer: Read my trial policy :)
Yes, it comes with the standard Uebel 5-year warranty against cracks, and 2 years for mechanical issues. If you ever have any problem with the instrument, I'm your quarterback. I'll take care of the whole process, just let me know you need help, and I'll take it from there.
Inspect the package before you sign off at delivery! If there are any issues resulting from shipping, we have taken out an insurance policy to cover damage (and loss). But we need you to document this damage or we can't do anything to help. Please read my trial policy for how to handle this issue, should it arise.
Not if you live in the Continental US! Because I want you to find the right instrument for you, and doing so online is harder than doing so in-person, I will cover the return shipping. Please read my trial policy for trial and return rules.
Yes. You can add your shipping address when checking out to see what the shipping costs will be before taking the plunge. Note that VAT and Customs Duties are not included in this cost.
Contact me to set up an appointment, and let's do it!
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Listen and Compare Audio Excerpts
It’s nice to know there is an option for playing the clarinet if you have arthritis or neurological issues with your hands. Pitch is very accurate and sound is superb
I would like to give a major shoutout to Mike at Earspasm for hooking my up with this clarinet. If you haven't seen his videos on YouTube you need to. ( Hay that rhymes) I am 67 and a retired band director and I have been playing clarinet my entire adult life. I have been playing on a matched set of Selmer Paris clarinets since1973. With that being said let's face it, you are not going to buy this instrument because you are curious. This is an expensive professional clarinet! If you are like me and love playing clarinet but the frustration of covering tone holes has made you give up your playing, the Uebel Superior Plateau is a game changer! Now in spite of my arthritis and nerve damage, I can play again. And I mean really play again! The Uebel Superior Plateau has given me back my love for playing! I have had the instrument for about six weeks and here are my impressions.
The Good:
This is a professional clarinet
The build quality is excellent
This is a beautiful instrument
The sound is incredible. I fine it to be very free blowing
Uebel has found a way to eliminate the stuffiness from the plateau system
Adjusting to the feel of the plateau really takes no time at all.
Yes you can still play the opening of Rhapsody In Blue ( provided you could play it before you get this horn)
The Uebel comes with a 65mm and 66mm barrel and a Vandoren B45 mouthpiece and ligature
The case and case cover are excellent but I am using my ProTec case because it will also fit my iPad and foot pedal
The challenges:
The Uebel is much heavier then my Selmer ( I now sometimes use a neck strap)
The Uebel plays much sharper then my Selmer
The left hand Eb/Ab key is really far away for my little finger
I am still working on the intonation
Now- go forth and TRILLLL
HI.
I am writing now after having had my Uebel plateau for over one year..And my revised opinion? 10/10 still!!
I play this instrument in bands every week, and the intonation, tone, build quality are just outstanding.
My technician is so impressed with these, that he is thinking about inquiring about carrying Uebel's student line here in the Phx area.
Of course, with my hand injury (missing half of my index and middle finger on the left hand) I have needed to make modifications, but the instrument stays in regulation and the keywork is rock solid.
If you need a plateau, this is your instrument; if you need to buy one, Michael is your guy.
Steve
Any clarinetist that has not tried and Uebel clarinet is missing out. A Buffet user since I began playing clarinet in 1976 (and continuing to play sax), I have been through 4 sets of instruments, including R-13s, RC Prestiges and Festivals. However, due to hand issues, I reviewed and purchased an Uebel Superior Plateau clarinet from Michael Lowenstern. While there is no doubt that Buffet makes fantastic clarinets, this Uebel is just plain fantastic, and IMO the best instrument that I have purchased--plateau or regular clarinet. I am so impressed with both the musical qualities of this clarinet, and overall build quality that I say without reservation that my next instrument(s) will be Uebel. But...I must not forget to say thank you to Michael Lowenstein and Earspasm Music. He has been very gracious in answering questions, and has provided service second to none. I recommend him to any clarinetist looking to purchase a new clarinet--be it Uebel or another make.
From first time I reached out to Michael about acquiring the plateau clarinet, he has been exceptional in all aspects! He was VERY interested in what I was trying to accomplish with the instrument, and has been very supportive and helpful in linking earspasm, Uebel, and myself together allow me to finish the project with confidence that I could return the instrument to "factory fresh" when my time playing this instrument was done (which I hope is not for some time!). His evaluation of the instrument was spot on. and his after purchase support has been fantastic. As far as this instrument is concerned, I couldn't be happier. I had originally dismissed the idea of one of the plateau clarinets made by LeBlanc in the 60s, as all agreed that they were stuffy, and I would not be happy playing them. Well, after listening to Michael play the instrument, I felt very comfortable moving ahead. And yes, that is me in the video!
I want to make a couple of points here for those who don't watch the video. The keywork is exceptional, well-machined, and VERY sturdy. This is thoroughly a professional instrument. The instrument, in my hands, has very good intonation across the range...better than the Buffet I played 30 years ago before my injury. There is no appreciable stuffiness....the stuffiness you hear in the throat tones in the video is me....I am still learning voicing for this instrument, and the stuffiness evaporates with an open throat/soft palate.
For those that need a plateau....here is the answer: Yes you can find a Leblanc/Noblet plateau on Ebay for $1000, but you likely won't be happy in the long run. You will be happy here.