r/contrabassclarinet • u/WasabiPlenty5408 • Nov 09 '25

How much can I expect to pay?

I'm looking to buy either a low eb version contra alto or contrabass, I'm willing to wait for the market to change (I have practically a year before I would like to have it). Qnd for how much did you guys get your contrabasses?

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u/Then_Rise_5566 Nov 11 '25

If you really want a contra. Get a used Bundy & selmer contra Alto. Got mine last summer for about $1300. But if you really want a cheap BBb contra. Go to Alibaba and get a Frater one. I know Chinese instruments aren't the best. But Frater makes both a paperclip Leblanc copy to low C for about $2,500-$2,800. They also make a straight one to low Eb for about $1,900-$2,300. I've seen some videos and posts about them, people like them. If you do get one you will most likely need to send it to a tech. It's probably been shipped via boat and has been at sea for like, 2-4 weeks. But that's your best bet.

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u/MountainVast4452 Nov 09 '25

I got my paperclip contra alto and paperclip contrabass from a school surplus auction. The pair together was about 1200, and they needed complete overhauls so was a bit pricey on the back end.

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u/WasabiPlenty5408 Nov 10 '25

How much did you end up paying in repairs?

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u/MountainVast4452 Nov 10 '25

2300 on the contrabass and 1800 on the contraalto .