Klarinet Archive - Posting 000057.txt from 1995/05

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Need advice on clarinet purchase (used R13 price? what's
Date: Tue, 2 May 1995 01:52:46 -0400

Doug,
I recommend you buy a used instrument. Unless you are doing alot
of solo work or your main instrument is clarinet, don't bother paying
$1500+. I have an R-13 which I had pinned and am trying to sell for $800.
(going price around here for a used R-13 starts there and goes up to
$1100-$1200). Interested? PS, if you are only going to use it
occasionally you should consider a good student model such as the
Buffet Evette
& Schaefer or the Selmer Signet, both of which are plentiful on the used
instrument market and can be resold for the price you bought them.

Fred Jacobowitz

On Mon, 1 May 1995, Doug Cook wrote:

> 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
>