Klarinet Archive - Posting 000110.txt from 1995/11

From: Michael D Moors - Alpena <mdmoors@-----.US>
Subj: Re: Vito/Yamaha? (was student model clarinets)
Date: Tue, 7 Nov 1995 00:03:32 -0500

Helen,

I understand your problem fully. I was trying to give you some input
based on my negative experiences. The companies you deal with may offer
better service then what I had when I dealt with a cracked clarinet. I
personally like the Vito clarinet. I prefer the student Buffet clarinets
because they have a Buffet feel. If you check the keys out they are the
same keys that would be used on a R13.

I think the confusion on the Vito/Yamaha brand comes from the fact that
they do interchange "according to my repairman". A few years ago I was
told that Vito saxes and Yamaha were the same. Vito flutes were Yamaha
flutes. I might be wrong but I think there was a time that Vito made
clarinets for Yamaha. I don't know for sure if this is still the case.
In Michigan Yamaha is taking the lead in providing a few marching bands
with all Yamaha instruments free. They are also providing instruments
for college instrument classes free. What support!!

BTW I think Buffet has the softest keys.

It's been nice writing back and forth. Good Luck

Mike Moors

On Tue, 7 Nov 1995, Helen Emerson wrote:

> Many thanks to all who responded to my posting on student model clarinets.=
> I'll be sharing your comments with some of the other teachers here - the=
> prices of clarinets in America and Canada are going to make my colleagues c=
> ry!
>
> Anyway..just one or two things I would like to follow up:
>
> I agree with the comments about back-up service with mail order companies.=
> The situation here is that A) The companies offering 'catalogue prices' are=
> actually just warehouse type music stores in the bigger cities (Auckland,=
> Wellington) and do offer back-up service. The student is still left without=
> an instrument for a few days, but (and I'd have ot check the catalogues) I=
> think the companies do offer special deals etc. But B), we have no choice=
> here about buying from companies out of town!! It's either that, or one=
> student gets the only clarinet in our local music store, and the others=
> wait while the shop buys more in (probably from the same places in Auckland=
> etc) and then the student pays a lot more!!
>
> Anyway....:-)
>
> One or two people mentioned Vito clarinets as being a good choice of=
> instrument. Now, in my experience, the Vito clarinets would be my last=
> choice - we have one or two in our rental scheme, and I have found that=
> the key work bends very easily, the tone is 'stringent' - and one or two=
> have gone a sort of greenish colour and smell funny when they get warm!!=
> (took me ages to work out where the smell was coming from! - this was in a=
> 1 on 1 lesson, and in the end i actually put my nose to the clarinet! It=
> was only about 6 months old)
>
> Now, perhaps someone can clear this up for me. A couple of people said they=
> thought Vito are made by Yamaha, and someone else mentioned "Leblanc Vito"=
> instruments - or perhaps they meant Leblanc *and* Vito? (that was Robert Sp=
> ring)
>
> So, are Vito made by Yamaha? Have they always been a 'good' instrument, or=
> has there been some new developments that have improved the instrument? Is=
> the green colour my imagination?! And who makes Lisner clarinets? (shudder)=
> They go green too! Why?!
>
> Again, thanks for all your comments! :-)
> Helen
>
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> * Helen Emerson *
> * Department of Music *
> * University of Otago *
> * New Zealand *
> * helen.emerson@-----.nz *
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>