Kessler Custom Midnight Series Bass Clarinet
For years, our “Midnight Model” Low C Bass Clarinet was the undisputed favorite in our shop – a stunning, all black bass clarinet instrument that played as good as it looked. After a brief hiatus due to global trade shifts (thanks to the tariff war of 2025), we knew we couldn’t just bring it back; we had to make it better. We listened to player feedback and are proud to unveil the next evolution of our 2nd Gen Midnight Series Black Bass Clarinet lineup:
The Midnight Rose.
Why “Midnight Rose”?
This isn’t just a reissue; it is a reimagining. We have retained the sleek, black nickel-plated body and keywork that defined the original “Midnight” look, but we have “bookmarked” the instrument with a stunning new contrast in both looks and performance.
- The “Rose”: The instrument now features an exclusive Rose Brass Bell that is polished and lacquered so that its beauty can be seen as much as it is heard! The neck, which already had been upgraded to Rose Brass in 2023, is also finished with the matching polished lacquer, so that the neck and bell can “bookmark” the beauty of the instrument.
- The Sound: This new bell isn’t just for looks. The Rose Brass alloy is heavier than standard brass, imparting a darker, richer core to your tone at the bottom of the instrument. This had already been realized in 2023 on the necks, but the bell upgrade is exclusive to the Midnight Rose model.
- The Performance: We have also switched to White Leather Pads (replacing the previous black pads). While the black pads looked dramatic on the all black instrument, the white leather is a better leather and offers a quicker response and a more reliable seal, ensuring that the Midnight Rose plays up to its looks.
A New Standard of Beauty
By polishing & lacquering the neck and bell, we create a multi-color “eclipse” effect that highlights the instrument. This design also serves a practical purpose: it removes the plating from one of the highest-wear areas (the neck and bell), helping you keep your instrument’s stunning contrast for years to come.
Midnight Keywork
Upgraded Black Nickel Keywork
Black Nickel is a stunning finish, chosen specifically for its visual impact. However, by its nature, it can be more sensitive to body chemistry (acidity/oils) and hand sanitizers than standard silver or nickel plating. While we use the highest quality electro plating process available, finished with an electrophoretic lacquer coat, finish wear on the keywork varies by the player’s own body chemistry, environment and maintenance routine. We had switched to this higher finishing process on our previous midnight models about a year before the tariff hiatus, and have found most customers finish on those instruments to be still in excellent condition
Because this wear is cosmetic and dependent on the player’s unique body chemistry, maintenance, use and environment, finish wear is not covered under warranty.
Why the “Rose” Design Matters
This natural characteristic of black nickel is exactly why we created the Midnight Rose version in this reimagining. By using the Polished Rose Brass Bell and Neck, we have removed the plating from the two areas that are susceptible to handling wear. This helps you keep your instrument in the best shape possible, keeping the focus on the music and the beauty of the design, while also providing the richer tone from the new Rose Brass Bell.
MOUTHPIECE, LIGATURE & CASE ADD-ON OPTIONS
We firmly believe that we are providing customers with an exceptional instrument that can grow with them regardless of performance level. This is also why we let our customers build their own preferred outfit rather than saddling you down with a “stock” mouthpiece setup. We want you to get the best instrument & setup for you! If you need advice on any of these customized mouthpiece, ligature or case options, always feel free to give us a call!
Build Your Custom Bass Clarinet Package
No mouthpiece setup is included with our bass clarinet. Instead, we encourage you to build your custom setup the way that you want it. Click the tabs below to see the various discounted upgrade options for choosing the mouthpiece, ligature & case of your choice!
Mouthpiece Add-On Options
No Mouthpiece is Included!
Our low C bass clarinet does not include a mouthpiece with it (since most people buying a bass clarinet already have a mouthpiece). However, if you do not have one, or perhaps you want to upgrade your setup, take advantage of our discounted mouthpiece options. Generally, we recommend looking at something with a slightly larger tip opening on a low C bass clarinet since the body tube is much longer than an standard low Eb bass clarinet. We offer options from Clark Fobes, our own Kessler Custom, Vandoren, Selmer Paris & Backun!
If there is a mouthpiece that you are interested in that is not listed here, please feel free to send Dave Kessler an email and he will be able to help you out.
Mouthpiece Add-On Options (pricing valid ONLY with purchase of bass clarinet)
- Premiere by Hite (Medium Closed): $35.00
- Fobes Debut (Medium): $55.00
- Backun/Hawkins Vocalise R (Closed): $140.00
- Backun/Hawkins Vocalise G (Medium): $140.00
- Backun/Hawkins Vocalise H (Open): $140.00
- Vandoren B45: $190.00
- Vandoren B40: $190.00
- Vandoren B46: $190.00
- Vandoren B50: $190.00
- Vandoren Black Diamond: $200.00
- Selmer Paris Focus (smaller): $325.00
- Selmer Paris Concept (larger): $325.00
Ligature Add-On Options
No Ligature or Cap is Included!
Your ligature has a huge impact on the tonal presence and overall response of your new instrument setup, and especially on the extended length of the Low C bass clarinet, can make an unbelievable impact!
For performance ligatures, we recommend either a Rovner Versa or Vandoren Optimum ligature to your new mouthpiece setup on our low C bass clarinet to achieve the best performance possible! Of course, if there is a ligature that you want that is not listed , please feel free to send Dave Kessler an email and he will be able to help you out!
Ligature Add-On Options (pricing valid ONLY with purchase of bass clarinet, all prices include their fitted cap)
- Rovner Dark Lig & Cap: $10.00
- Rovner VERSA-X Lig & Cap: $25.00
- Rovner VERSA Lig & Cap: $55.00
- Basic Metal Lig & Cap: $17.00
- Rico Metal 4 Point Lig & Cap: $22.00 – (does not fit Fobes or Hite)
- Vandoren M|O Pewter Ligature & Cap: $55.00
- Vandoren M|O Black Ligature & Cap: $55.00
- Bonade Inverted & Bonade Metal Cap: $60.00
- Vandoren Optimum Silver Ligature & Cap: $85.00
- Vandoren Optimum BLACK Ligature & Cap: $85.00
BAM Case Upgrade
As of 2023, our new case is a great fit for our instrument with a solid fit & great materials. However, the BEST bass clarinet case on the market for our bass clarinet is made by BAM France. Their Trekking Case fits our instrument perfectly and offers the most superior protection available on a low C bass clarinet’s sensitive keywork. The BAM Trekking case also has ample storage with a massive expanding pocket that gets big enough to fit a Bb Clarinet case in!
So if you want the BEST case available for our bass clarinet, take advantage of a generous discount when you bundle the BAM case with our low C bass clarinet at the time of purchase!
- BAM Trekking: $470.00 Upgrade – click here to view –
While BAM makes several cases, we ONLY recommend the Trekking model. The other models, such as the Hightech are great cases, but can put additional pressure on the register mechanism on the top of the body, thus putting it out of alignment. The Trekking case is molded differently and does a better overall job of supporting the instrument.
Stock Case Dimensions
The stock case measures 33.5″ x 9″ x 13″. With the bass clarinet inside of the case, it weighs 18.8 lbs.
Additional Information
Professionally Setup
Every Kessler Custom low C bass clarinet we send out to a customer is not released from us unless it has been completely setup in our shop first. This is because the setup on any low C bass clarinet is of the utmost importance! Sometimes, a clarinet (regardless of who the manufacturer or the price point is) comes in needing 20 minutes of adjustments and then the very next one can require 2 hours!
This is why we perform our setup (in our www.ClarinetRepairs.com ProShop) on your clarinet before delivering it to you. You trust us with your purchase and we want to make sure that you are rewarded by giving you your new low C bass clarinet setup flawlessly!
Pads
Our 2nd Generation Bass Clarinets utilize a premium Pisoni made Lucien Deluxe White Leather Pad.
International Order Information
Shipping a bass clarinet internationally poses a few unique issues that make it sometimes prohibitive. The main issue has to do with international customs inspection as the bass clarinet crosses in to your country’s borders. During this process, customs inspectors may open up the package to inspect that the contents of the package match the invoice declaration (so that they can make sure to collect the correct amount of applicable taxes). The issue is not in the inspection, but rather the re-packaging AFTER the inspection.
We take great care to pack our instruments for safe transport, but these inspectors are not required to re-package the instrument in the same manner. When re-packaged incorrectly, the risk of damage to the instrument in shipping greatly increases. The stock case that we released in Jan 2023 is now capable of international shipment and is actually our recommended model. However, we also can recommend the BAM Trekking case for international customers if they prefer, but there is a little more risk with the BAM case.
So for these reasons, we can only accept an international order if the customer is willing to accept the following terms:
- International Customer accepts full responsibility for any subsequent damage.Â
There is no way for us to properly solve damage / repairs for international customers due to the shipping costs internationally. Inside the BAM case, the most likely damage is the left hand F/C lever getting bent. This is a fairly inexpensive and simple repair for most technicians. To date, we have seen no damage in the stock case that we introduced in January 2023 - International Payment must be via Bank Wire Transfer
We unfortunately cannot accept international credit cards or PayPal accounts (excludes Canada). So any international order for our bass clarinet must be made via a Bank Wire Transfer. - Additional Import Taxes
Customer is solely responsible for any and all taxes, fees and other costs that are due as a result of international importation. These costs are calculated before delivery, by the delivery company. We can usually estimate these fees through our UPS software for you once you provide us with you shipping address and details of what you want to order. Please note though, these estimates are non-binding as we have no control over that process. These estimates do tend to be accurate as they are provided by UPS and UPS is who acts as the importing agent for you.
Please note that accessories from Vandoren (mouthpieces, reeds or ligatures) and Selmer Paris (mouthpieces) cannot be included with an international bass clarinet order (due to manufacturer restrictions). If you would like to proceed with an international order for our Kessler Custom 2nd Generation Low C Bass Clarinet, please use the form below.
WARNING: This product (or finish option) can expose you to chemicals including Nickel, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. To find links to manufacturer specific pages about Prop 65, please visit our Prop65 Page by Clicking Here.
Our Low C Bass Clarinet uses standard fingerings but obviously has additional keywork. Here are the additional keys and their function. Please note, when playing any of the key options for Low D, C#/Db or C, we recommend also using the Right Hand Pinky Eb so that you do not have all of the keywork weight and spring tensions being reliant on the one lower key.
Financing Available
Multiple Financing Options Available!
We have a myriad of different financing options available for your new instrument! From affordable monthly payments over a longer period of time to other options that can include 0% Interest or Deferred Interest options, we can help find a way to make the instrument of your dreams become the instrument of your reality! Give us a call!
United Midwest Savings Bank
UMWSB offers flexible, long term financing with term lengths of up to 60 months at an affordable 12.99% APR. Better yet, their financing has No Pre-Payment Penalty so you can pay off your balance at anytime and only pay for the interest for the length of time you had the loan! Minimum of $850 required for UMWSB Financing
Click Here to Find Out More
Synchrony
Synchrony Financial is one of the national leaders in consumer financing. With deferred interest options (Interest if waived if paid off in promotional term) and sometimes, they offer manufacturer partnered promotions to offer you an even better term length. Minimum of $299 required for Synchrony Financing
Click Here to Find Out More
Kessler Bass Clarinets
Kessler Custom 2nd Gen Bass Clarinet Lineup
Meet the full lineup of our 2nd Gen Kessler Custom Bass Clarinets! All of the models feature the same synthetic material and professional design. The difference is simply in the range (low Eb or low C) and the cosmetics of the instrument.
Financing starting @
$52.32 / month
UMWSB, 60 Mo @ 12.99% APR
Financing starting @
$56.87 / month
UMWSB, 60 Mo @ 12.99% APR
Financing starting @
$61.42 / month
UMWSB, 60 Mo @ 12.99% APR
Financing starting @
$63.69 / month
UMWSB, 60 Mo @ 12.99% APR

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Kessler Custom Midnight Series Bass Clarinet






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