Klarinet Archive - Posting 000282.txt from 1994/05

From: Clark W Fobes <reedman@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Contra bassi
Date: Wed, 18 May 1994 02:56:53 -0400

On Tue, 17 May 1994, Jeff Bowles wrote:

>
> Hmm. Since I have the opportunity to purchase this-here
> contralto (for, when I add in the $600 rental I've already
> paid, a total of $2500) about seven months from now, I need
> to decide whether to do it or hold off for a big-ol' bass.
>
> Jeff
>
The Selmer Eb contra really does play beautifully! I wish that the same
could be said for their current Bb model which I find almost unplayable!

I do not play as much contra as perhaps others do here, but I think most
of the interesting writing (particularly contemporary music) is for the Bb
contra . It would also be possible to play most Eb parts on the Bb.

Regarding the Bb contra , I think that the Leblanc (Sewer Pipe model ;-) )
may be the most facile. I have never played an older model wood Selmer,
but Dennis Smylie in NYC has one and says it is fantastic.

However, $2500 is a great price! Current list for a Buffet Contra Alto is
$9,625. I think the list price on the Leblanc Bb Contra is about $8,000.

Depending on how serious you are about having a really great horn vs.
something that will "do the job", Bundy makes a plastic contra that is
very impressive. I believe that there is also a Vito version in plastic
of the Leblanc contra .

Do some research. I occasionally see Leblanc contras advertised in the
"International Musician". Another place to find guys that carry oddball
instruments is the back of a trade journal called "Music Trades"

Clark W Fobes