 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: nahoj
Date: 2008-07-04 17:38
Maybe my answer is not relevant enough, in that case my apologies.
I only have experience on the Vito BBb contrabass clarinet, which is (probably) very similar to the EEb contra-alto. I tried it on a music fair. I was pleasantly surprised by it. Playing Leblanc paperclips, I would say it was less powerful in the low register and more clear, clarinet-like in the high register. It played smoothly from top to bottom. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a contrabass for a very reasonable price.
I never tried any Selmer contra that was in good shape, so I can not give any opinion there.
I would say, as would most I guess, try before you buy. But I know with contra's that's very hard, no-one has them in stock. I also bought without trying in advance...
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Author: Merlin_Williams
Date: 2008-07-04 21:16
The Vito contra has a larger bore - you have to use BBb contra mouthpieces with it. There's also only one RH side key - for Eb. The lack of an F# trill/alternate is a problem.
The Selmer has a smaller bore, takes regular EEb contra mouthpieces and has all of the trill keys.
I play a Vito, but I'd recommend the Selmer over it.
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Author: clarionman
Date: 2008-07-05 20:11
Thank you very much Merlin_Williams that is the information I was looking for. I kind of had already made up my mind but your answer confirm my choice thanks.
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Author: William Hughes ★2017
Date: 2008-07-07 13:11
I play an older (early 1980's) Selmer Bundy contra. What impresses me is its durability. Even with the long rods, I have not had any adjustment issues since I bought it and had it overhauled, almost seven years ago. I used to sit next to a bass clarinet player who was constantly fiddling with his Vito horn. He kept a screw driver on the stand at all times. After a while, out of an abundance of caution, I put a screw driver in my case--just in case--but I have rarely had to touch the contra with it.
Good luck with your purchase.
Post Edited (2008-07-07 13:12)
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Author: LCL
Date: 2008-07-07 16:28
I have the Selmer 40 Rosewood model that some say is essentially the sibling of the Bundy Contra-alto. There are differences in body material and bell size, but since I have not played the plastic bodied Bundy, I can't give an informed opinion. But, the Selmer 40 is a mighty potent instrument, and I can be heard against the Tubas almost all of the time. If the Bundy is affordable, I would try it! Dave S. - a very informed and excellent contributor on this board - has one, I believe, and has spoken well of it in past posts.
Best regards,
LCL
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2008-07-07 23:22
I do have a Bundy contra-alto (currently called "Selmer USA" and my older version is labeled "Buescher"), and it is a very good instrument and an incredible bargain on the used market. Very rugged and reliable as William Hughes stated. It does have its share of stuffy and out-of-tone notes, but most of these can be tweaked. I haven't played the rosewood Henri Selmer Model 40 (one of the most gorgeous clarinets on the planet, in my opinion) but I have read that the design of the bore and keywork are essentially the same as that of the 'student' plastic model.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2008-07-08 13:27
I play a Selmer Bundy 1440 EEb contra-alto from the 1980s that I bought used from someone who took excellent care of it. For newer instruments, this model has been renamed the Selmer USA 1440. I agree with David Spiegelthal that this instrument is a great bargain. I had a choice of this contra or a much more expensive, older Selmer made of wood, aklso in excellent condition. Because I already had a pro Selmer Eb alto, and love it, preferring a plastic Bundy for the larger clarinet surprised me so much that I took forever to make up my mind, but there was no denying the reality: for me, the Bundy (which came with a Selmer C* mouthpiece that I still use as well) played better, so that's what I bought.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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