Klarinet Archive - Posting 000174.txt from 1996/03

From: Ed Lowry <72122.3073@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Rossi clarinets (was: hi terri)
Date: Wed, 6 Mar 1996 15:11:07 -0500

---------- Forwarded Message ----------

From: "Lorne G. Buick", INTERNET:mcheramy@-----.CA
TO: Multiple recipients of list KLARINET, INTERNET:KLARINET@-----.BITNET
DATE: 3/5/96 4:56 PM

RE: Re: Rossi clarinets (was: hi terri)

<KLARINET%VCCSCENT.BITNET@-----.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list KLARINET <KLARINET@-----.BITNET>

Lorne Buick wrote:

>2. I know the Rossi clarinets are made of Rosewood. How does their sound
>compare to African Blackwood.

>Rossi makes clarinets in three woods: rosewood, cocobolo, and grenadilla
>(African blackwood). I've never had a chance to compare them directly, but
>I play a cocobolo B flat and a rosewood A and love them both. He also makes
>three different bore designs (he calls them English, French and American- I
>play English (huge)) which further complicates any attempt to compare the
>woods. The instruments are all hand-made and individually hand-tuned; my
>pair are easier to play in tune than any others I've used (R-13, Yamaha,
>B&H) and the craftsmanship is superior.

> I don't know anyone that has a bizillion
>dollars to buy one. :-)
>

>Unless I've missed a drastic price increase, Rossi clarinets cost more than
>an R-13 but less than a Prestige; more than Leblanc Concerto but less than
>Opus. (Don't have Selmer prices handy) They would be cheap at twice the
>price.

>Incidentally, Luis will be in Michigan soon- details in a separate message.

>Lorne Buick

I agree with Lorne's comments. I recently purchased the French Bore Grenadilla,
and,
in my amateur opinion, it is wonderful. My family wonders when I'll stop
practicing and join them again!

I ordered mine from Woodwind and Brasswind in South Bend, for $2900 and change.
They sent it on a trial basis, although there would have been a "restocking" fee
if I'd returned it, unlike other clarinets. They had no Rosewoods or Cocobolos
in stock.

I was a bit nervous ordering a horn by mail. However, no Rossis were available
in
Northern California, and I wasn't going to go to the next Clarifest in Paris,
even
though I'd love to go. I also concluded that since Rossis are custom made, and,
according to Sr. Rossi, each adjusted personally by him, that the chances of
getting
a lemon were reduced. And, because they're made in limited number, there would
have
been no place (excepting, perhaps, Santiago(!)) where there would be more than
two in
any one place to try at one time in any event.

My thanks to Jonathan Cohler who wrote about his experience earlier and, through
a
private note gave me the courage to take this step.

Ed Lowry
Sacramento