Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2010-09-12 04:23
Keeping in mind what Ed says about mouthpiece choice being a matter of individual preference and noting that, IMO, there is little, if any, relationship between bass clarinet mouthpieces and mouthpieces for any other woodwind instrument other than fit and finish, here are my thoughts.
I have a NOS Selmer C* that came with a bass clarinet I bought. When I got it, I considered it far superior to the Mitchell Lurie, Bundy, (Chedeville) Buffet and Pomarico mouthpieces I had tried. As far as I can tell, it is very popular with professional bass clarinetists, at least around here. However, my former teacher told me a few years ago that, for some reason, the ones currently being made are not as "good" as the older ones. There may have been a design change or it may be a matter of quality assurance. In any case, if you can find an older one, it's worth a try.
Ed, I'm not sure I'd include the Selmer C* among "not very expensive" mouthpieces anymore. It seems to me that I used to see them advertised for around $80 but their price has gone up significantly in the last few years. The lowest price I've seen recently is $175 at Amazon.
After I got the Selmer, I lucked into a NOS David Hite (professional, not Premier) for $50 (which seems to be the going price, when you can find them) on eBay. This feels very similar to the Selmer but I prefer it slightly. I now play a Clark Fobes CF+, which is my favorite of the three but, for me, the others are very close -- almost interchangeable -- and I sometimes use one of them in an outdoor concert or pit situation where I feel my mouthpiece may be at some risk.
I have not played a Fobes Nova but my understanding is that it is the same design as the CF+ at a much lower price. If so, I think it would be worth looking at. Another mouthpiece that I have played and think is a very good value for the price is Roger Garrett's.
If you like Rovner ligatures on your soprano clarinet, I expect you will probably also like them on your bass.
Best regards,
jnk
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