Klarinet Archive - Posting 000038.txt from 1995/05

From: Doug Cook <cook@-----.COM>
Subj: Need advice on clarinet purchase (used R13 price? what's good?
Date: Mon, 1 May 1995 17:33:01 -0400

Hi, folks,
I'm looking around for a clarinet. I'm fairly new to the
instrument, but I'm a fairly experienced musician on other
instruments (percussion & piano). I've been borrowing my housemate's
clarinet, but it is soon to go away. So it looks like I'm in the market
for a clarinet. I'd like to get a reasonably good one if possible.

One suggestion that was made to me was to get a used R13; since
the demand for these is always pretty good, should I discover
as I grow on the instrument that I'm looking for a different sound,
then it should be easy to resell. Question: what is a good price for a
used R13 (assuming good condition, etc.)? (Anyone have any for sale?)

Another alternative I have is a new clarinet. On a new clarinet
I wouldn't want to fork out more than about $1K at this point (
considering the depreciation and the likelihood that I'll eventually
replace it as I figure out what kind of sound I want). I've seen a few
reasonable clarinets in this zone. What's the consensus on Yamaha (if
there is one)? I've had mixed experience with their other instruments --
some of them are great, some are just OK (I know it's a huge company and
they do completely different things with different product lines).

What other recommendations do folks have? Am I being stupid?

-Doug

Doug Cook, cook@-----.

"Slab and Esther, uncomfortable with each other, stood in front of an easel in
his place, looking at Cheese Danish #35. The cheese danish was a recent
obsession of Slab's. He had taken some time ago to painting in a frenzy these
morning-pastries in every conceivable style, light, and setting. The room was
already littered with Cubist, Fauve, and Surrealist cheese Danishes. 'Monet
spent his declining years at his home in Giverny, painting the water lilies in
the garden pool,' reasoned Slab.'He painted all kinds of water lilies. He liked
water lilies. These are my declining years. I like cheese Danishes, they have
kept me alive now for longer than I can remember. Why not.'" -Thomas Pynchon