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Student Level Bass Clarinets

Author: NZDee
Date: 2022-11-21 08:00

Hi there,

I'm hiring a Bass Clarinet for a few months to try out and have the following options:

Selmer 1430, Vito 7166, and Leblanc LB7168

Which would you choose and why?

Thanks
Denise

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Re: Student Level Bass Clarinets

Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2022-11-21 09:41

I'm looking at various sites, and there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of difference between them.

I haven't played bass clarinet since high school, but if you're truly limited to those only those three, I'd pick the one with the best angled neck. I remember playing on a Bundy bass and the neck would angle the mouthpiece to your mouth like a saxophone. When I went to a community college and played on their Selmer 33 (professional model), I immediately noticed the angle of the mouthpiece was far more like a regular clarinet. Far more comfortable.

Other than that, I think I like the look and shape of the Vito bell than I do the others. It's more traditional to me, that's all.

Getting back into playing after 20 years.
Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Ridenour Homage mouthpiece
Rovner Versa ligature
Vandoren V12 #3 - #3.5 reeds

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Re: Student Level Bass Clarinets

Author: davidjsc
Date: 2022-11-21 09:45

While it is the only bass clarinet I have ever played, I have a Leblanc 7166 or 7168 and I love it. I bought it secondhand couple years ago from a jazz musician. Key response is great and has a full even tone, as well works good with the softer reeds (1.5 and 2) that I prefer to use. The low E-flat sounds typically like a fart, but that's really the only poor note. It actually does decent sustainable cheater B notes with the side trill keys. Was the best $850 I spent on an instrument.

DSC

~~ Alto Clarinet; Bass Clarinet; B-flat and C Boehm Clarinets; Albert C Clarinet; Oboe ~~

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Re: Student Level Bass Clarinets

Author: Max S-D
Date: 2022-11-23 01:55

At that level, I think the biggest differentiator will be mechanical condition. If you can try any/all of them in advance, I'd just pick the one that seemed like it was in the best state of repair. If the options are from multiple shops, it's possible one has a tech that's better at bass clarinets (not all techs are good at getting them right, in my experience). If they are all from the same shop, maybe one of the horns just had a better tune up before they sent it out again.

Bass clarinets are much finickier than soprano clarinets about leaks, enough that it can really hold you back. Starting with the instrument in a good place will be a huge benefit. It's much easier to know what to work on when you know the instrument works.

Assuming all three are in good working order...I can't really help you. I've played student models from all three back in my public school days, but that was 20 years ago at this point and those horns were probably 30 years old at the time! They all played fine after they got fixed up.

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