 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: pzaur
Date: 2004-08-26 05:37
Anyone have any suggestions for a bass clarinet mouthpiece? I'm looking to find one for myself. The ideal price range is $65 and less. But, price can't dictate what fits best.
Right now I'm using a Yamaha 4C with a Yamaha student bass (YCL221). Usage would be for an adult concert band that plays literature with music that utilizes the full range of the instrument (altissimo included). The mtpcs I'm considering so far are:
$45-$55
Ridenour Encore
Behn Overture
$75-$85
Garrett
Hite
Fobes Basso Nova
Portnoy
$100 and up
Grabner
Selmer
I have not had a chance to play test any of these yet.
Any additional suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Especially if they're under $65!
Opinions on the mtpcs listed are also welcome and encouraged.
I did do a search on this topic, but none of the results really dealt with it in this way. Those that I did read were mainly about the Selmer C*
-pat
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-08-26 07:24
OK, one1 option for you is to buy a great mouhtpiece now, and it will be your final mouthpiece (yeah, right...). You can also get a less expensive mouthpiece and later get a great one if you want (some cheap ones can be great though). I only have experience with Pomarico and Vandoren, so I can't really help with the ones you listed. I understand Selmer mouthpieces for bass clarinet are good, but if you are willing to spend $100 for it, then you might as well spend $130 for a Pomarico (if they will be good for you). You might also find a really good one for less money, like the $75-$85 ones you wrote. Morgan has the protone model for $70 and has a good reputation. Whatever you choose, the most important thing is to try it before you buy. It is best to try about 2-3 mouthpieces of each model, then if you find the right brand and model, try many of that model. I suggest going to the store and try a lot (and I mean A LOT) of mouthpieces.
Good luck finding the right one for you!
Post Edited (2004-08-26 07:25)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-08-26 13:57
Pzaur,
Your list is pretty good, I think --- I might suggest a few changes, you could probably eliminate the Selmer and Portnoy unless you plan to pay extra to have them refaced, and if you want to add the Pomarico crystal to the 'top-dollar' group it might be worth trying a few of those (but not just one --- they are machine-faced and therefore have considerable variability). I have no personal experience with the Morgan but he has a very good reputation and is worth checking out.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-08-26 15:27
Yes Davis is correct. If you try Pomarico crystal you should try at least a few. I actually remember reading that they are handmade (will try to find where I saw that), but I can honestly say the best mouthpiece I've played was a Pomarico crystal, and the worst mouthpiece (for Bb clarinet) was also a Pomarico crystal.
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Author: William
Date: 2004-08-26 16:02
David wrote, "you could probably eliminate the Selmer and Portnoy unless you plan to pay extra to have them refaced,".
I play a Walter Grabner BSCX model bass mpc, which is a Selmer C* that he refaces to his own specifications. No need to think that you will have to have additional work done on Walters customized Selmer mouthpieces.
Previously, my bass clarinet main mpc was a VanDoren B45, which was good, but not nearly as responsive in the upper register as Walter's BSCX model. For me, his mouthpiece was like "instant bass clarinet" with its full sound and great response from my C3 all the way up through G6. Even those problem notes--A5 & Ab5--are still problematic, but play much easier with his mpc. IMHO, his bass mpcs are the best there are--no need to search further.
FYI, I play a Buffet Prestige low C model bass.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-08-26 21:37
William, the point is, regardless of what blank (or stock mouthpiece) it was made from, the mouthpiece you're playing is a Grabner (not a Selmer, not a Riffault nor Babbitt nor whatever it was originally). The Facing's the Thing. All other parameters are secondary.
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Author: pzaur
Date: 2004-08-27 03:34
Well, I actually got the "ok" from the boss. She's actually gonna let me up how much I can spend. This means the fun (and frustration) can begin!
Thanks for the input.
-pat
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Author: William
Date: 2004-08-27 15:16
David--I agree 101% with you. Just didn't want anyone to be confused if buying a "Selmer" from Walter into possibly thinking that it would need to be refaced by someone else. Often, what is obviously a forest to most of us is sometimes hidden by all the trees to another. (I speak from much personal experiance...............:>)
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