Klarinet Archive - Posting 000184.txt from 1994/03

From: Jordan Selburn <jselburn@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Best Clarinets?
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 1994 14:05:34 -0500

Jim Lytthans writes:

<interesting tryouts of new clarinets deleted>
> As a long-time Buffet user, I urge all contemplating a new clarinet to
>try the Opus. These horns seem to solve many of the R-13s worst faults, and
>in a wonderful manner (no, Leblanc is NOT paying me to send this!).

I am in fact in the market for a new pair of clarinets. The problem I've
encountered is that, even in a large "upscale" metropolitan area (SF bay)
it is extremely difficult to even find pro clarinets to audition. In some
cases, such as the Buffet Prestige or LeBlanc Opus it's been impossible.
When I asked about the Prestige one of the better known stores said that
they don't carry it because (when they did stock it) people would come in,
try it and then buy through mail-order. Another store (which did have the
Buffet Elite as well as the LeBlanc Infinite and Concerto) said that
there's no business in selling professional clarinets. The local Yamaha
Music Store doesn't stock the Yamaha 72!! The only exception is the Buffet
R-13, which is pretty easy to find (but only Bb, not A).

So, problem #1: how can somebody audition these clarinets without buying
them first?

Problem #2: I'd like to support the local stores, but if they have to order
the clarinets (and they'd all have to order the A - nobody stocks them)
anyway why not just buy through mail-order? Repair isn't an issue - I'll
take it to a repairman in SF regardless of where I buy it.

Problem #3: Once I've decided on a make and model, how can I try out a
number of them?

Problem #4: If this is the situation in San Francisco, how bad must it be
in smaller areas?

The only solution that I can see is going with an R-13. It's so popular
that you can get a pre-selected instrument from some dealers. In SF, Clark
Fobes does this and I trust that any clarinet that I might buy from him is
one of the top R-13s. But if you don't want an R-13, does anyone provide
this service for other makes?

Any help, suggestions, etc. greatly appreciated.

Jordan