Contra Alto Mouthpieces

[Kritavi]

I started out playing my Bundy Contra Alto with the Bundy mouthpiece, it worked well for a couple of years of use. I recently got a Selmer C star and found it a big improvement. I have a Walter Grabner on its way for trial and that will hopefully be all I would ever want or need.
But I'm curious, any contra alto players with comments on what mouthpieces they like or don't like?

[littlemanbighorn]

I unfortunately am not a Contralto owner but have heard great things about Walter Grabner's pieces. Which wouldn't surprise me since I love his Bb and Bass pieces.

[clarnut]

Check out those by Clark Fobes

http://www.clarkwfobes.com

Clark not only makes great stuff, but specializes in playing and making equipment for the low clarinets

http://www.clarkwfobes.com/Low%20Clarinets.html

you will note that he makes some in his Nova line, which are a bit less expensive.

[Roger Garrett]

I started out playing my Bundy Contra Alto with the Bundy mouthpiece, it worked well for a couple of years of use. I recently got a Selmer C star and found it a big improvement. I have a Walter Grabner on its way for trial and that will hopefully be all I would ever want or need.
But I'm curious, any contra alto players with comments on what mouthpieces they like or don't like?

You might consider having the Bundy refaced. It's hard rubber, and frankly, it is a blank with the Bundy name stamped on it. Whenever someone contacts me for a Contra-Alto mouthpiece, I have them purchase a Bundy hard rubber and send it to me. I then make the mouthpiece and charge labor and shipping less the cost of the blank. Since it is a J.J. Babbitt blank, it is going to play as well as the Babbitt bass clarinet blanks that are used by mouthpiece makers nationwide.

It is possible that Clark and Walter are using Zinner blanks for their CA mouthpieces. Those blanks cost about $120 US - which includes a portion of the shipping from Germany. Anything beyond that cost is the labor being charged and the shipping/insurance. Babbitt blanks cost about $30 shipped. Bundy mouthpieces (again - these are blanks!) cost about $40 if you can find them at IMS or some other catalog company.

Good luck!

Best wishes,
Roger Garrett

Best,
Roger Garrett