Klarinet Archive - Posting 000442.txt from 1997/09

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Manufacturing deficiencies
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 16:06:12 -0400

On Mon, 8 Sep 1997, Bill Hausmann wrote:

> Bach Stradivarius trumpets LIST around $1900, and sell for much less. But
> this is irrelevant. I do not consider the prices of professional level
> instruments to be low. On the contrary, they may well be overpriced, given
> the shameful quality control that seems to exist. Machine manufacturing is
> no excuse; on the contrary, it should allow TIGHTER manufacturing tolerances!

My interpretation of what Clark wrote was clarinet as compared to other
instruments (such as stringed instruments). Being married to a cellist,
spending $18,000 on a new cello two years ago was a real eye-opener for
me. And that was for a modern, 1995 instrument. Take a look at the
prices of some of the old instruments!

> I cannot help but believe that SOMEONE at Buffet thinks their mouthpieces
> are great, even if only the designer who gets paid a royalty for each one.

To be convincing, while the opinion is there, it would help to have the
belief supported by some kind of experience or fact.

> And I have played perfectly fine mouthpieces by Selmer and Woodwind
> (Leblanc), not to mention Vandoren. And some models I didn't like by the
> same manufacturers. The next guy may very well LOVE the ones I hate.
> That's life in the reed lane.

Selmer is not Buffet. The issue was the packaging of a poor quality
plastic mouthpiece with what is considered by many to be the best clarinet
made (sorry Jonathan.....I know you like Rossi!).

> You are assuming that all beginning students have private teachers who are
> going to recommend new equipment right away. Even the manufacturers know
> the parents aren't going to buy that scam.

Um......it says teachers....not private teachers.....and I interpreted
Clark's comment as one that referred to the band director......many of us
did know about the placeholder problem!

> mouthpieces supplied with new horns aren't necessarily inferior, although
> they sometimes are. Yamaha's are just fine

I really like the Yamaha stock mouthpiece!

Roger Garrett