 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: diz
Date: 2005-06-14 22:24
I'm just about to commit to purchasing a contrabass clarinet. I don't want a paperclip (too expensive) but I would like your comments about the resonite or student model options and how you compare them. thanks in advance. I'm not going to use it for any other purpose but annoying my neighbours-joking-than joining the local community concert band.
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-06-14 22:38
I've tried a straight plastic BBb Vito and it wasn't bad. Notes down there are so low that intonation and tone are pretty much approximate quantities anyway -- you can almost count the individual slappings of the reed against the mouthpiece on the lowest notes. The Vito or the plastic Bundy (sorry, Selmer USA) should both be suitable for frightening local authorities and r-arranging the foundation of your abode.
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Author: bflatclarinetist
Date: 2005-06-15 02:37
If you can afford it, knock yourself out. But if you're just going to play it for the community band and on some occassions, I personally don't think it's worth it. I've never played a contrabass but it sounds fun. Good luck finding one!
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Author: kenabbott
Date: 2005-06-15 02:48
It's fun and worth every penny. I have a Vito contrabass and a Bundy contralto. They sound great. (I also have a LeBlanc alto and Leblanc bass). Email me offline to discuss if you want.
kenabbott@no*spam.patmedia.net
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Author: diz
Date: 2005-06-15 03:53
ken ... the email you provided on your thread (above this one) bounced ...
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
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Author: BradleyHardin ★2017
Date: 2005-06-15 04:49
I was very excited about buying one. I recently bought a Vito 7182 "B Stock" (returned instrument) from Woodwind Brasswind. It was a pretty good price (2,500). The shipment process was underway. The $$$ cleared, and it was off to the warehouse for shipment. Them all of a sudden I received an e-mail stating "We are sorry to inform you that the Vito item you ordered was a closeout item and it is no longer available." I'm still bugged that "something" was apparently sent to the warehouse for shipment but was "returned", yet they say it's no longer available. I'm disappointed.
It would be nice to find a listing of used Vito 7182s to buy, but I haven't found but one or two of any brand listed for sale. Is it because they're that great that people don't want to let them go?
I was going to use it for the college band (also serves as our "community band" as we have no community band in our small town), occasional church music, and maybe gather a few other clarinetists for a choir now and again.
Good luck on your purchase. I wish I were there too.
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Author: BassetHorn
Date: 2005-06-15 05:40
I own a Vito Bb contrabass. Bought it last Christmas and have used it for a couple of concerts and numerous rehearsals.
Got it as a new stock from WWBW, but it arrived needing lots of adjustment work. Morrie Backun made it alright to play and it has played wonderfully for me since.
Summary of pros and cons:
Pros: very easy to play. I don't see it as a major obstacle for any clarinetist to take up. Easy to voice and no major obstacles in fingering. Big fat tone and very flexible.
Solidly built. Very positive feel in keywork. Stock mouthpiece (woodwind) actually plays very well with Vandoren 2s and Rover lig. Gives warm sound. Gives strong support to concert band or clarinet choir.
Cons: awkward to handle and transport due to its one-piece construction and large size. Case is 6 feet long and it's heavy fully loaded (watch out for your house walls and door frames). Won't fit in car trucks or back seats. Fits fine lying on passenger side seat fully declined. I lug it around on a dolly.
Needs to be played either sitting on high stool or standing up with the bell propped on a block of wood (due to lack of adjustable peg). Register key mechanism can be finicky to keep regulated. Clarion range is comparably thin to chalumeau range.
I would say if you plan to play contra regularly, save up and get a used paperclip.
Willy
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2005-06-15 06:19
My friend said she bought a Vito contralto before she got her bass clarinet. She said it was a piece of crap and the keys were easily bent and the whole thing seemed cheaply made. I dunno if they have gotten better over the years or what.
I have had good experience with the Bundys though. I used to love my contra. :( With the little happy face sticker on the pad above the left thumb key. *sigh* Those were the days. Plus the older ones seemed to be built like a frickin tank.
Now, play a rosewood Selmer contra... and you'll never want anything else. *drool*
--CG
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Author: diz
Date: 2005-06-15 07:51
Thanks to those who commented on the 'cheaper models' ... as I stated quite clearly I do NOT want to purchase an expensive one (I'd rather buy an apartment).
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-06-15 14:37
If you don't have an Eb contra, I'd advise getting that first. It's easier to play, not to mention carry around, and it has plenty of low-end power.
There are comparatively few band pieces with contra parts. On the Eb, you can simply read a bass clef part in treble clef (with the appropriate key change). With a BBb contra, you'll need to read bass clef and transpose up a step -- not impossible, but not as easy as on Eb. Also, with a straight BBb, you'll need to stand, or use a bass stool.
The various plastic models are pretty much comparable. It's important to try various choices to see how they feel.
If you buy a used instrument, remember that almost all of them come from schools and will be pretty beaten up. Count on $200 or so to have it put n playing condition. A school-used mouthpiece will often be unplayable. New ones, particularly the Selmers, are wildly variable. The best choice is probably the Clark Fobes student model http://www.clarkwfobes.com/Low%20Clarinets.html.
Ken Shaw
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Author: BassetHorn
Date: 2005-06-15 16:56
I haven’t yet played the Vito contra alto, but from what I have read it wasn’t a quality instrument. However I do find the Bb contrabass very solidly made for its price. At least on mine I don’t detect any serious defects; the tone holes are clean and the keys/rods/posts are all where they should be. Springs have a very positive feel and the pads are seated fine.
Those who complain about bending keys on the Vito contra alto may not be taking as good a care of their instrument as they should have. One just has to be more careful handling contras regardless of size and make. As long as you are aware of the sensitive areas on the instrument and handle it cautiously and carefully, I don’t see how you would subject it to the risks of bending keys, etc.
One potential source for the problem of bending keys is when you are transporting the instrument inside the case. I find the case’s inside padding never thick and strong enough to keep the instrument firmly locked in place. With the lid closed and locked, I can somehow still detect rolling movements. And if you are swinging the case, you just compound the potential risk that the instrument is actually being thrown about inside the case. So I take precaution. I fully cover the instrument with thick layers of cloth or bubble wrap to provide further reinforcement to keep the instrument well padded and firmly in place. When you had to apply some force to fully close and latch the case, you know you have provided sufficient padding and the instrument will not be thrown about.
This is a good safety measure against the risk of bending keys during transportation. You should do the same with the bell, neck, and mouthpiece.
A used paperclip contra is not that much more expensive than a new Vito contra; you just need patience in your search and always keep your eyes open.
I agree with Ken on the flexibility of the contra alto. If you are lazy or don’t want the bother with difficult transposition, this is the ideal low clarinet. In the concert band, you can play parts of the low Eb instruments like the baritone sax or alto clarinet on treble clef, or with the quick transposition trick you can play C instruments in bass clef, such as bassoon, tuba, and string bass (may need to transpose further down an octave for correct pitch). The best option is to play literature for the cello. The contra alto can fully cover the cello’s range, using the quick transposition trick.
Willy
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Author: LeeB
Date: 2005-06-15 18:21
I just recently bought a Contra Alto off of the evil auction website. I got it at a good price, but it was sold without a case and mouthpiece. I ordered a Selmer D mouthpiece and new case from WWBW, but they're not going to be able to ship them until the middle of August (it makes one wonder what's up with Selmer). The instrument is in good shape, but I want the technician I use to go through it. Unfortunately, I don't want to take it over there until I have the case. So, no low clarinet satisfaction for me until probably September. Now, I'm almost sorry I didn't buy a new instrument (when all is said and done, the price difference is not going to be that dramatic). In my internet shopping for a Contra Alto, I ran across this: http://www.musiciansbuy.com/vito_7181_eeb_contra_alto_clarinet_7181.html
I almost wonder if the price is a mistake, because most retailers have the discount price of this instrument at around $2,000. I also wonder if the free shipping applies. If it does, this is a pretty incredible deal for this instrument. Even if it's a mistake (their contrabass price is similar to what other retailers are charging), their computer might just sell you one at that price. It's probably worth a shot. I've never dealt with this retailer before, so I don't know what their track record is.
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