 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-10-17 02:55
I've been asked which mouthpiece I'd recommend for an occasional bass clarinet doubler and suggested a Fobes Debut going by the reviews I've read on them. I haven't tried one myself, but as they're under £50 I can't see any harm.
The player has just acquired a Bundy bass which he said came with a Gigliotti Advantage mouthpiece which I know nothing about and he would like something better, so is the Fobes Debut a better quality mouthpiece?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2015-10-17 03:21
If it is, as the websites say, an economical version of the "full-blown" San Francisco mouthpiece, it probably is a goodie! I absolutely love the San Francisco Fobes Bass Clarinet mouthpiece.
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2015-10-17 17:22
The Fobes bass clarinet Debut is the best I know of in that price range. I have not played the Gilliotti. They may come from the same factory in Elkhart (manufactured to different specifications). I believe Clark tests out the mouthpieces himself in case they need any adjustment. At that price I can't see that he adjusts many of them.
Steve Ocone
Post Edited (2015-10-17 17:24)
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Author: acermak
Date: 2015-10-17 18:34
I have played both a B45 and a Fobes Debut and I find them about the same. I don't think the Debut is exactly a more economical version of the San Francisco. I thought the Novas were the more economical version of the San Francisco. But it is a good, plastic mouthpiece which with care will last a long time.
A key factor with the Gigliotti is what sort of shape is it in? A lot of used mouthpieces are in horrendous shape (I think of the golden tone that came with my alto clarinet. Band director (the instrument case had a HS logo on it I contacted to make sure they had actually wanted to dispose of the instrument) said no one had been able to get a good tone out of the instrument...Mouthpiece had more chips than plastic present.Gave her a Hite Premiere mp and a little TLC from my technician and she sounds quite lovely).
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Author: gwie
Date: 2015-10-18 08:31
I have a Fobes Debut Bass clarinet mouthpiece that I use on a Yamaha YCL-221II. It's an instrument I use the few times a year I need to play bass clarinet for musicals or in orchestra, otherwise it's on near-permanent loan to a couple students.
I have no complaints about it, and the fact that it is so inexpensive and durable while still sounding pretty darn good has made it so I haven't felt the need to replace it yet.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2015-10-19 21:52
The current Gigliotti Advantage plastic mouthpieces are godawful plastic things which have a high baffle and the largest "hill" of molding flash I've ever seen, between the bottom of the baffle and the bore. Over the past year I have acquired several for use as blanks, but only because I literally paid 99 cents each -- and given the amount of work I had to do to make those things playable, I'm not even sure they were a bargain at that price!
Go with the Fobes.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-10-20 00:14
Did you hear that low rumbling noise just then? I bet that's Anthony Gigliotti turning in his grave having his name associated with cheap plastic tat.
I knew his name was being branded on low quality clarinets but thought the mouthpieces may have been made by Selmer USA as were previous accessories made by them with his name on them, but Selmer USA have since sold out along with the majority of other companies and import cheapo Chinese crap which is doing their reputation no favours at all.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2015-10-20 08:49
The Fobes Debut is excellent. Another option is the Behn (I think called Overture but not sure I remember).
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2015-10-20 16:06
The Gigliotti mouthpieces were, during his life, made by JJ Babbitt. Same as Hite, Meyer, Otto Link and many others that don't appear on their website. There were probably also Giglitti mouthpieces that were made by hand and that didn't originate from JJ Babbitt.
Someone like David Hite or Anthony Gigliotti would provide specifications for the mold and for the facing, etc. When I visited the factory Mr Babbitt remarked about how fussy Mr Gigliotti was about the final product.
I don't believe the mouthpieces are play tested at the factory. JJ Babbitt bought the Hite brand after David Hite passed away. Maybe it is my imagination but I don't think those models are as consistant as they used to be.
Steve Ocone
Post Edited (2015-10-21 16:26)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2015-10-20 17:35
The current Gigliotti mouthpieces with the large gold "AG" lettering on top of the body are not Babbitt blanks, I guarantee you. They practically scream "generic Chinese molded garbage". Needless to say they are not marked with country of origin, because then we'd know, wouldn't we?
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