Klarinet Archive - Posting 000244.txt from 1995/07

From: Gerry Evoniuk <Gerald.Evoniuk@-----.BITNET>
Subj: Re: Jim Fei on Bass clarinet buying/prices
Date: Wed, 26 Jul 1995 13:23:14 -0400

>Thanks for the responses about the Kohlert I was considering. From the
>replies I received, it seems that I can expect to find used professional
>models (from Leblanc, Selmer, and others) for about $1000 and under? In
>that case I am definitely reconsidering buying the Kohlert.
>
>I haven't been able to find reasonable deals in NYC so far, so if anyone
>has suggestions for stores or have bass clarinets for sale in NYC I would
>really appreciate it.
>
>Thanks again,
>

Jim,

I firmly agree with Dan and Clark concerning pricing for used pro bass
clarinets.

The Kohlert is also something I wouldn't even consider for sale (even on
consignment) in my store.

If you definitely want to stay in the $1000 range I would suggest buying a
used Vito or Bundy plastic model (I know, I know I've heard all the stuff
about plastic) but in financial reality they can be made to play quite well.
Invest $300 in a GOOD repad and maybe some custom tuning. Another $150 -
$200 in a good mouthpiece and you will have 10 times the quality of
instrument than you'd have with the Kohlert or some over the hill wood
instrument. You will also have a reliable instrument that should prove no
problem getting your money out of when it comes time to sell it and upgrade
to a current model pro instrument. I have known several serious doublers who
have used this setup and it was also an opinion held by the late Alfred
Zetser, former bass clarinetist of the Cleveland Orchestra for over 30 years.

Gerry Evoniuk
Desert Winds Music Inc.
1889 E. Broadway
Tempe, AZ 85282

(602) 966-1180 Fax (602)966-1310

Also

******************************************
Gerald Evoniuk
Instrument repair technician
School of Music, Box 870405
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 85287-0405
(602)965-4502
Fax 602-965-2659
email Gerald.Evoniuk@-----.EDU