Klarinet Archive - Posting 000094.txt from 2009/04

From: "Lelia Loban" <lelialoban@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] kl] Re:Contrabass Clarinet --a response from Don Gross
Date: Sun, 12 Apr 2009 12:41:27 -0400

Richard D Bush wrote,
>I realize this thread is devoted to the BBb contrabass
>and not the Eb contra-alto, but would like to say something
>about the Bundy Eb contra-alto, which they always labeled
>as a contrabass in Eb.
>
>This instrument is patterned after the French made,
>rosewood bodied contra alto. The bore is basically
>the same and the Bb/register venting is the same
>configuration as the Paris Selmer. Dollar for dollar,
>the Bundy (now called the Selmer USA) is/or was the
>best bang for the buck in a bottom end reed instrument.

I'm an amateur, not a pro player, but fwiw, I agree with Richard Bush that
the Bundy EEb contra is a bargain. I bought one used (from Jim Lande, of
this list and the bulleting board) several years ago. Love it. Mine was
probably made in the 1980s. It's got good intonation, good tone quality and
no unfortunate quirks -- and I don't have to live in fear of a big
investment cracking.

One word of caution about the Leblanc "paperclip" -- I don't doubt that it's
a first-rate clarinet, but people with small hands should try before they
buy. I span barely an octave on piano. I've tried out several paperclips
over the years. They've all required a bigger hand than mine -- and that's
despite the fact that I *can* (and do) play a 1926 C. G. Conn bass sax.

Lelia Loban
Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditiones habes.
http://members.sibeliusmusic.com/Lelia_Loban

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