 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2005-02-09 17:17
Hi,
A friend of mine is having his senior recital this spring. He's a composer, and I'm playing clarinet in a few of his pieces. Unfortunately this means playing some bass clarinet, which I don't have very much experience doing.
I'm borrowing my college's instrument, which is a Linton. I don't think it is very good (the last bass I played was a Selmer, with a C* mouthpiece), but it's wood, has no glaring problems, and it's all I can get. The department is buying it a new mouthpiece, but isn't sure what is best (we're not a performance school). What would you recommend to make this thing sound good for mostly inexperienced bass players? I'm not sure how much they're willing to spend, so suggestions in a variety of price ranges would be best. I'm not sure if I'll get the chance to try it out, since I think they're just going to order it, and it'll be for a lot of people, not just me. Something generally appropriate for most people is best.
As a bonus question, which reeds would you recommend?
Thanks,
Micaela
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Author: Michelle
Date: 2005-02-09 17:55
Vandoren B45 and Rico Royal sz. 2 1/2 is a pretty standard school setup. Schools that I've attended seem to like the Vandoren's, and Rico Royal reeds have a pretty high "out of the box" playability. 2 1/2 is a good size for most - not too soft, not too hard. Rather than buy a box of one size, buy one or two of each size 2, 2 1/2, 3.
A Vandoren B45 will run you about $100. It is a decent mouthpiece.
There are a lot of professionals on this board that would recommend a different (more expensive) setup but for the situation you described I think this would be entirely sufficient and easy to find at your local music store - no special ordering necessary.
Best of Luck ---
Michelle
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-02-09 18:04
Probably a Fobes Bass clarinet Debut mouthpiece. Or a Grabner Bass clarinet mouthpiece (if they school is willing to buy one)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: William
Date: 2005-02-09 18:35
Walter Grabner CXBS model--simply, the next best thing to having an "Easy Button" on your instrument. The one that I have and play is basically a Selmer C* that he customizes to his own specifications. A bit more than $100.00, but well worth every penney in performance. What I like most is the improved response in the upper register, particularily on those usually problem notes, G#5 & A5.
I also had a vintage VanDoren B45 that he customized (and improved) for me, but I much prefer the Selmer. Also, Legere #3.0 reeds work quite well--at least for me--on Walters products.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2005-02-09 19:03
The best things I have played are the Clark Fobes mouthpieces (CF or RR facing if you like a bit more open) or the Walter Grabner. Clark makes mouthpieces at a variety of prices if budget is an issue.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-02-09 19:30
The best bass mouthpiece I've played (and the one I play regularly) is a Fobes AP mouthpiece (I would have bought the most open if it was in stock). Unless the school is willing to pay close to $200, I recommend the Selmer C* which is great.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-02-09 21:42
I've played too many lousy Selmer C*s to recommend them without qualification (as in, 'try a few dozen'); but Clark Fobes sure does make good mouthpieces.
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2005-02-09 22:19
Although I play a Vandoren mouthpiece (M-15) on Bb clarinet, I have never played a Vandoren Bass Clarinet mouthpiece that was any better than merely decent. Something about the interior dimensions seems to make the sound of them overbright and shallow; moreover the facing of the B45 model is too open and too short. If you play a hard enough reed to get a decent sound on it (for classical music), it is impossible to make it respond at lower dynamic levels. Conversely, if you put on a softer reed the sound is too reedy and thin. At the behest of the Vandoren rep last summer at the ClarinetFest, I tried the new B40 that he was hyping--it sucked!
There are a whole lot of bad basscl mouthpieces out there: buyer beware.
I'm personally now playing on a Zinner-based Roger Garrett. I've also played good mouthpieces by Fobes, Grabner and Hite (if you can still find one).
Larry Bocaner
National Symphony Orchestra (retired)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-02-10 00:53
I play regularly [happily] on Pomarico GG glass mps, refaced by Dave Spiegelthal, have a Selmer C* refaced, quite good, and a couple of Bundy 3 's, some what similar to the Sel. I took a brief look on EBAY, there are now 5, 2 of which are definitely of pro character [Fobes and Street], and a couple more prob. suitable for a good reface to your desires. Its educational, Much luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Igloo Bob
Date: 2005-02-10 02:55
Does Mr. Fobes offer a debut bass clar mouthpiece? I've seen his nova and san fran models (just ordered a nova last week) but wasn't able to find the debut. Perhaps I overlooked it?
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Author: Ed
Date: 2005-02-10 03:01
according to Clark, he just posted the other day on the klarinet list that he is introducing a debut version of his bass mouthpiece:
http://test.woodwind.org/Databases/Klarinet/2005/02/000119.txt
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Author: pzaur
Date: 2005-02-10 03:30
I just bought a Grabner piece and love it. Well worth the $160. I haven't tried any of his other models.
-pat
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Author: donald
Date: 2005-02-10 04:53
a mouthpiece for the school to buy we must remember.....
if i were to buy a Vandoren Bass Clarinet mouthpiece, i wouldn't get the B45 facing but the rather the B40 facing
Brad Behn makes a fine Bass Clarinet mouthpiece- i'm not sure of his prices, but for Soprano Cl he has a student model (very reasonably priced), an intermediate model (pro quality mouthpiece blank) and a "top model" (probably out of the price range for the school). If you check his web site (if my memory is correct, www.clarinetmouthiece.com) it has all the pricing etc
i personally play an old Selmer HS* that was refaced by Brad in 1998, since then many people have tried this mouthpiece and commented on how good it is. The Co-Principal clarinet of the NZSO told me he'll buy it if i ever want to get rid of it! This mouthpiece cost $40 for the blank (a reject for the junk bin at a music store), and $40 for refacing (in US$, price may have gone up)
donald
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-02-10 06:07
Dave, I only played around 5 Selmer C* mouthpieces, but they all were pretty similar and very good.
I also have to say you really shouldn't buy a crystal mouthpiece like a Pomarico. Although they are great mouthpieces, for a school bass getting a glass mouthpiece is just too risky.
Post Edited (2005-02-10 10:14)
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2005-02-11 19:11
Thanks for all your help! But I really don't think the music department will pay much more than $100. My teacher recommends a C*, and since I liked the one I played a while ago, we'll probably go with that.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-02-11 21:35
Micaela, with a $100 budget, before resigning yourself to a C*, try a Roger Garrett --- as I recall he makes a good mouthpiece within your budget and I can almost guarantee it will play better than the majority of C*s.
But if you stick to your guns......at least try a whole bunch of C*s before you buy --- you owe it to yourself. You should choose a mouthpiece at least as carefully as you (someday, perhaps) choose your spouse.............spouses can be problematic, but there's NOTHING worse than a bad mouthpiece!
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-02-12 02:42
A good mouthpiece, like a good spouse, should last a lifetime...GBK
/ VERY happy with both his mouthpiece and his spouse
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Author: Igloo Bob
Date: 2005-02-12 05:43
I just got my Fobes Nova piece in the mail today, like it quite a bit. Upper clarion has become a bit easier, but the major improvement over the stock/no-name mouthpiece I used before is the sound. I sound much more focused, and I hear a depth to my sound that wasn't there before. Was definitely worth the $80.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-02-12 08:59
I tried a Garret mouthpiece, and liked it less than all Selmer C* mouthpieces I've tried. Just my experience.
I'd also recommend the Fobes Nova like Bob, but my problem with it, is it only has one facing and it's too closed for me. Maybe it's fine for you.
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