Klarinet Archive - Posting 000354.txt from 1997/05

From: ghopkins@-----.net (Gary Hopkins)
Subj: Re: R-13 Trouble
Date: Sun, 11 May 1997 11:49:48 -0400

Jerry, in this area our store sells more Leblanc clarinets than anything
else. I imagine we sell 20 Normandy 4 clarinets to every one Buffet E-11. I
don't know that I could figure percentages. Most Buffet clarinets sold are
the student models....The ones made by Schreiber in Germany....Model
E-11...The same holds true for the Leblanc clarinets sold....Normandy
4.......That is probably true all over Texas. The band programs here are
quite large. It is not uncommon for a beginner class, in one school, to
include 30-50 clarinets. We don't sell every clarinet that is used by
beginners. There are other fine music companies that call on the same
districts we do. There are a large number of clarinets used that come from
closets, garage sales, pawn shops and Sears and Roebucks....Yech!
I guess I should say that in other parts of the state Selmer and Yamaha are
the main clarinets suggested by band directors. Therefore, they are the
biggest sellers there.

I know that my ramblings didn't answer your question, but maybe it let you
know a little about what I have based my statement on.

Gary

>Wow! What about in percentages. Is the percentage of Leblancs cracked to sold
>similar to Buffet? Or do you guys sell a lot more of the Leblanc clarinets or
>equal numbers of both brands?
>
>Jerry Korten
>NYC