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Author: Paul Lester  
Date:   2000-05-16 20:23 
 Does someone on the list play a plastic bass?  I'm considering doubling and am in the midst of deciding between Vito, Bundy or Yamaha.  I've been told that The Yamaha is a Vito with a new name.  Is this true?  I've also been advised not to buy one from the EBAY listings.  The ones on EBAY  are going for about $500+ and if they require an overhaul, it's another $500.  Which about equals the price of a new bass from one of the ECommerce sites. 
 
I'd appreciate your input. Please. 
 
Cheers, 
 
Paul
  
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Author: Dave Spiegelthal  
Date:   2000-05-17 14:38 
 Until recently I've been playing on a Vito plastic bass clarinet, which I had purchased new three years ago for about $900 (they're still about the same price from some of the bigger mail-order houses such as The Woodwind & The Brasswind, Frederic Weiner, etc.). The Yamaha plastic bass, as far as I know, is identical to the Vito. I'm a semi-pro bass clarinetist, and having owned a number of basses over the years (wood Noblet, a couple of wood Leblancs, and a wood Buffet) I find the Vito to be a very decent horn for a whole lot less money than the wooden instruments.  Personally, I don't like the Selmer/Bundy plastic bass clarinets, but there are some who do.  If you get a Vito, make sure it has the leather (kid) pads --- some versions have bladder (fishskin) pads like soprano clarinets, and these pads are not suitable for the larger instruments.
  
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