I have a big problem right now..concerning both of those instruments.

I currently am playing the Bass Clarinet [ Low Eb ] and have been "inspired" to move to the Contrabass. The Problem is, there aren't any stores in Australia that sells them, so I'm going to have to order it off the internet. So, i asked my clarinet teacher, and he said not to get the Contrabass since there wasn't a lot of music written for it, and instead get a good Bass clarinet [ Extended to Low C ], But i want to play contrabass, i know if i tell my conductor ( Head of music and conductor of my concert band ) he would be very pleased.. I think contrabass can play bass clarinet parts, but that I'm not sure of.

so listen to my music teacher, or follow my inspirations?

Heh, I have several contrabasses. I really love playing contrabass in an ensemble, but there isn't a real need for it usually. Sometimes I'll use my Low-C Leblanc BBb for contrabassoon parts. If you're gonna play music in college or professionally, you really need a good Low-C bass clarinet first. If you love contrabass and are gonna buy one, I'd suggest the Leblanc 340 (metal "paperclip" with low-C) but for a low cost alternative, get the Vito/Leblanc BBb here: http://www.gleblanc.com/instruments/query.php?model=L7182

Stay away from the rosewood Selmer BBb. They cost too much and are a real pain in the ass to keep working. They do sound great though.

Clark Fobes makes good contra mouthpieces, but the Selmer C* is good, too.

I should have recommended an EEb horn...

The Selmer rosewood EEb is awesome (or at least the old ones are) and expensive. Buffet makes a new one for $9000US, but I haven't played one yet. I used to have a nice Selmer rosewood, but I sold it last year. Now I just have a Selmer plastic, but it fits my needs perfectly. You can pick up a plastic contra alto on eBay for less than $900US.

my school has two contra basses... the one i've played is the plastic vito, it plays fine, although since it's straight it's a pain to move around. the case is taller than i am! a paperclip contra would be more practical if you plan to transport it, such as to rehearsal regularly. my school has one of those, too, but i've never played it. so i can't report on the sound.

really, i'd have to agree that getting a low C bass clarinet would be more sensible. and they are awesome :D

So it would be better to get a Low C Bass Clarinet rather then a Contrabass?

If you plan on playing in the future, yeah. But, you can score a contra at a good price, you can sell it for what you paid. There is a high demand for them on eBay and other places.

mmm yeah, i want to continue on with music for the future and i love playing my bass, but now i know that the Bass Clarinet [ Yamaha YCL 622 II ] is 10 Grand AUD and the Contra [ LebLanc L7182 ] is 4,500 AUD, so there is a BIG difference in price, i think my parents would rather me get a contra, and also my director would rather me get a contra, but my music teacher... its the Bass clarinet

thanks for your comments so far!

If you want a contra alto
ultra inspections in Perth have one for sale
http://www.ultrainspections.com/Clarinet_Contra_Alto_Selmer_Bundy.html
http://www.ultrainspections.com/Clarinet_Sales.html

I've brought a couple of second hand instruments from them - Bundy alto and a vito resotone 3.