Selmer Paris Bass Clarinet

I bought this bass clarinet on eBay two years ago. I got a great deal and a wonderful instrument. I've played it next to other similar models and it seems to be easier to blow than others. After seeing the benefit of hand made necks on my saxophones, I asked Karsten Gloger if he could make me a neck for the bass clarinet and we ended up deciding to make just the tenon piece where the mouthpiece fits in (it has a two piece neck). After a mistake in the manufacture of the curve of the tube, I finally got the neck piece and was thrilled to hear the difference in sound. It was louder AND prettier. Originally the low notes were sort of weak, but I only noticed this in retrospect after playing the Gloger neck. It also made playing the upper register easier. I just had Karsten make me another neck piece, but this time with the tube a little longer and the tuning slide part shorter, and it sounds even better than the first piece. When I say it sounds better, I mean it is noticeable. These aren't just some artsy fartsy necks for show. A solid silver, hand hammered neck with the attention to detail that Karsten puts into it makes a whole lot of difference.
This clarinet sounds loud, powerful and sweet! And it is easy to blow... good thing too, because I need all the help I can get on this beast!