Klarinet Archive - Posting 000120.txt from 1993/12

From: Jordan Selburn <jselburn@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Trying clarinets
Date: Wed, 8 Dec 1993 13:42:01 -0500

Tom Ascher writes:

(. I.e., imagine a scenerio of playing 4 of 3 different
>brands for testing (assuming I can find a store that would have so many!)
>Comparing 12 different instruments comparing 2 at a time means...
>12x11/2@-----. Ouch! Please, please tell me that all
>clarinets of the same make and model are pretty similar...! (Of course,
>then there's the matter of minor tweaks and adjustments :))

Tom makes it clear that comprehesive comparative testing of professional
clarinets is a challenge - but is it worth it? At least in the clarinet
world, we have the option to decide! Pity the poor flutist who, desiring a
top of the line instrument, gets on the 7-year-long waiting list for a
Powell. Or the Bassoonist who, basically having no choice in brands, gets
on the 3-year waiting list for a Heckle (yeah, yeah, I know Foxes are
good). Neither has any way to try out multiple instruments - they pay
their money (incidentally, much much more than for a clarinet) and take
their chance. If we don't like a clarinet, it can be easily returned and
another obtained - for them it's back to the end of the line.

Personally, I know a retailer whom I trust a great deal and who pre-selects
the clarinets. I figure that he has done the auditioning for me. Good
luck!

Jordan