[Rahspeak]

Hey y'all. I've searched but haven't found that much info on these. I'm wondering if anyone else who's had experience with these mouthpieces can chime in with any opinions. I play all the saxes and flute and clarinet but I've never touched a bass clarinet, but a local store has a Hite bass clarinet mouthpiece for cheap ($40). I'm wondering if I should pick it up just so I could have some sort of bass clarinet setup, and start working on this as the next double. Borrowing a bass clarinet from school is always an option but I feel like I should have my own mouthpiece setup that I get comfortable with. This is the mouthpiece that says "J. D. Hite" at the low end of the barrel near the shank, NOT the Premeire.

I'm leaning towards buying it. My experience with the Hite alto piece and a friend's tenor piece is that they are well-made and really flexible, and great for the money...exactly what I'd be looking for in a starter/doubler's piece. But I just wanted to hear from anyone else who may have played on these first.

Thanks, Miguel.

 

[shadowing]

I never tried a Hite mouthpiece. If you search around the forums, there are varied responses concerning the Hite.

I'd recommend a Fobes Debut ($59), or NOVA ($139)...

 

[saxfreak]

Although I haven't played a Hite bass clarinet mouthpiece myself, I do know someone who has one and swears by it. It is an older model, and by reputation the older ones were better than the current ones. He gets a wonderful tone on his Hite bass piece.
For $40 I'd recommend buying this piece. You can learn to double on bass clarinet using this mouthpiece, and experiment with other high end mouthpieces when you have some experience on the instrument. You might find out that the Hite is good enough to play for a long time.

 

[Gordon (NZ)]

I'm no bass clarinet specialist player, just an very experienced multi-woodwind doubler, not including bass clarinet, simply because I never had one. I use a Hite mouthpiece for testing those I service. I have no complaints.

 

[tictactux]

40$ for a brand-name bass mouthpiece is a steal. I have a Hite Premiere Bb and love it as much as my Fobes Debut.

The only other "budget" solution is to find a structurally good bass mpc off That Auction Site and have it refaced. David Spiegelthal converted my hard rubber Bundy alto mpc to a really really fine player.

 

[Rahspeak]

thanks guys. I think I'm gonna get it. I had no plans to study bass clarinet yet but this deal is something I'm gonna jump on.

 

[sinkdraiN]

A major symphony clarinetist in town is always trying to get me to ditch my Vandoren bass clarinet mp for a Hite.

Buy it!

 

[MM]

Yes, they are decent pieces and that's a good price. Does it make sense to have a mouthpiece and no horn though?

 

[Rahspeak]

Yes, they are decent pieces and that's a good price. Does it make sense to have a mouthpiece and no horn though?

it does actually...at my school we all share the school's instruments. They ask us to double often in the bands, so it's necessary sometimes, but also, if we just want to practice on one, or take one to a gig, they are available. there are like 10 guys sharing the same Yamaha YBS-62 bari. Most of the guys just use the mouthpieces included with the horn but since I'm kinda picky, I'd rather at least have my own mouthpiece-lig-reeds. I've got a bari setup but no bass clarinet setup. I have my own S-A-T saxes, Clarinet and flute. The best bass clarinet the school has is a vintage Selmer wood Low C, I'm not sure of the model number.

Anyway I've decided to get this mouthpiece and a Rovner and see what happens. Thanks everybody for the guidance.

 

[Carl H.]

Yes, they are decent pieces and that's a good price. Does it make sense to have a mouthpiece and no horn though?

It helps to be comfortable on a borrowed horn if you have your own mouthpiece. I have a couple bari mouthpieces, but no bari. I had tenor and sop mouthpieces before I had the horns as well.
If you can afford it - and can borrow an instrument to get familiar with the piece and get a playing setup - I say do it. If you can't play it on something, then wait and use whatever comes with the horn for the short time you have it in your possession when you borrow it.

You never know about compatibility issues with mouthpieces and borrowed horns either.