"Often" Played low notes
In my community band, I frequently double bass clarinet or bassoon parts. We have no bassoon player and occasionally our bass clarinet cannot make a concert. Our tuba section is not huge (just one person) so more depth to the ensemble helps. It sounds pretty good and I have been able to blend with the band pretty well.
With my Prestige, the sound is very warm and full down to pedal F. Below pedal F is not too useful. I practice two and three octave scales daily using the low range between pedal Bb and low Eb, so I have found it to be a pretty useable part of my range these days.
Doug
Adams E3 0.60 Sterling bell - Prototype top sprung valves
Concord Band
Winchendon Winds
Townsend Military Band