Klarinet Archive - Posting 000067.txt from 1995/09

From: David Gilman <dagilman@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: New B flat Clarinet
Date: Tue, 5 Sep 1995 18:16:30 -0400

At 04:00 PM 9/3/95 +1200, Samuel Airy wrote:
>Dear fellow clarinetists,
>
>I would be grateful for any advice from fellow clarinettists out there.
>
>I am looking to purchase a new B flat clarinet - possibly a pair for
>orchestral playing. I have tried a number of clarinets and am rather
>impressed with the 'big' sound of the Italian Orsi Instruments. However,
>as the selection of available models in New Zealand is somewhat limited, I
>would be very interested to hear from other players on what they would
>recommend I audition, before I layout vast amounts of cash. I have been
>using a Pomarico 45 crystal mouth piece.
>
>I would be looking to purchase a top-of-the-range instrument, so I am not
>against paying a reasonable sum. I am not necessarily looking for an
>articulated instrument - but am open to suggestions. My only difficulty is
>gaining a few opinions on models other than ORSI 21FS and Le Blanc Opus
>(smaller sound - I'm not so keen on this model). I have heard that Yamaha
>make some good models but none are available here in NZ at present.
>
>Of course I realise that this is a very subjective and personal field - but
>I would most grateful of a few suggestions of alternatives for
>solo/orchestral work which have a fairly full/big voice. Tell what has
>impressed you!
>
>sincerely
>
>Sam Airy
>Clarinettist
>
>
Sam,

If you want a bigger, fuller sound than the Opus, you should definitely try
the Selmer 10G, and possibly the 10S-II as well. I love my pair of 10R's
(Recital Models), but they have a darker, more intimate sound that might not
work for you.

The Leblanc Concerto could work well for you as well. Of course, there's
always the Buffet R-13 which has been the standard here in the States for
generations. They are listed as having more projection than the RC models
popular in Europe. There is also a Prestige R-13, which some people
describe as "darker" than the standard R-13. It also comes standard with
silver keys (an option on the standard R-13). I kind of like the Yamaha
72CX also.

If you want something really different, you might try the Rossi. If comes
in several different woods (grenadilla, rosewood, cocobolo) and several
different bore designs (French, American, English). The English bore model
I tried at ClarinetFest had a terrific sound with great projection.

In any event, there are lots of good models to try. Good luck!

David Gilman
dagilman@-----.edu