I think "low Eb on the body" means that the low Eb key is on the body of the instrument and not on the metal bell - a bit like this -
http://www.lynsgarden.co.uk/Rosecroft/Clarinets/Vito bass.jpg
One piece body means it doesn't have a joint in the middle, so a rather long case. If the Vito is modelled on the Leblanc, it'll be a good instrument - would Aldevis buy any old rubbish?
Spot on. The keywork is the same of Leblanc/Noblet. The "one piece body" is tricky matter; it is actually engineered in two pieces, like the more expensive wooden models, kept together by a hex screw. It can be taken apart, but better not too often, since the joints are just bare resonite (plastic), with no corks. As a result, the case is quite big: long about like a baritone case, but not as chunky.
That is why shipping can be very expensive and there is such a big difference in prices between the two sides of the pond.
When I bought it from clarinetsdirect (that only sells serviced instruments) I compared it with a couple of Bundy and another Vito. It felt the most comfortable for my saxophone oriented embouchure. At the time I used a stock Selmer E as a starter mouthpiece. B45 did not work for me.
I am upgrading it to an older wooden Noblet: They look very very similar, almost identical keywork.
The main difference is wood, but as we all know, materials do not make a difference.
Oh to master that instrument, that sound
... requires a lifetime of practice: check Evan Ziporyn on bass clarinet. Unreachable.
My mate went to Woodwind Exchange at the weekend to buy a secondhand Bass Clarinet and came home £6000
poorer. Dangerous place Bradford.
Dangerous instrument. Have a look at the prices of new instruments.
BTW, I could not find a satisfactory cheap chinese instrument.
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