Klarinet Archive - Posting 001131.txt from 1997/08

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Re: Bass clar. price and more
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997 13:39:05 -0400

I just sold my Buffet Bass (R-13 Prestige with a low C.....4 years old) to
a student for $4200.00 I originally paid $3400 for it new, but it has
inflated along with the new ones. It was Brannenized and is in pristine
condition...along with a nice neck and case cover. The new one is costing
me $4800 from IMS.....and I tried out 12 of them to find it. Actually, I
found four really beautiful horns, 6 or seven great horns, one that was
ok, and one dud. My upgrade is for the extra keys on both the right side
and the thumb (alternate D in both cases). The pitch problems with G on
the top of the staff have been addressed, but not completely
corrected...still a bit low, and the low end notes are still occassionally
sharp. But, overall, the pitch is excellent...including long B and C.

A used SHORT bass (to Eb) should be available somewhere for $2000-3000,
and a used extended bass should be available for $2500-3500. That would
be for top of the line Buffet or Selmer....and I am talking within the
last 8 years only. The older the horn, the less you should
pay...regardless of the condition. I personally do not like the Leblanc
Bass Clarinets, but there may be a few die-hards who really still like
them! The Selmer model 37 that I tried at IMS was a beautiful instrument,
but nothing as nice as the new Buffets....not nearly as big a sound or as
good a mechanism. My model 33 that I sold to buy the Buffet I am now
selling to my student was great...but not the same quality as the Buffet.

Just my opinions!

Roger Garrett

On Tue, 26 Aug 1997, Nicholas Yuk Sing Yip wrote:

> Hello, I did not mean to instigate anything, it was a simple
> misunderstanding and I do apologize to IMS. However, I was never mentioned
> that the deposit was refundable, and that is where I got confused. Anyway,
> I was looking around for a B-flat bass clarinet, and none of the stores
> seemed to have one. I checked in at twelve stores in my area, (Bay Area).
> Seemed to be hard to find! However, I did hear from a few people and IMS,
> that $4000(new) professional, seems to be the average, for a B- flat Bass
> clarinet. Seems a bit steep and a big jump from a B- flat
> clarinet,(professional). I am not so sure if that is true. What is the
> average price for a used B- flat bass clarinet, anyway? Love to know if
> possible, Thanks!
> Nick Yip:)
>