Klarinet Archive - Posting 001153.txt from 1997/10

From: "Bill Edinger,Anna Gilman, and Grace Edinger" <wde1@-----.com>
Subj: Armstrong instruments
Date: Sun, 26 Oct 1997 14:35:07 -0500

Jennifer recently wrote:

"The new Armstrong, Artley, King, and Couf saxes are even worse than the
above mentioned clarinet!"

I had the opportunity to try an almost-new (borrowed) Armstrong alto sax
last Spring for an "internal" sax section withing our concert band. I
can only say that Jennifer was more than generous in her assessment of
the quality of Armstrong saxophones. I still get mad thinking about the
unconscienable waste of time, money, and effort any student would be
making trying to make music with such a hopeless piece of junk. The
workmanship and design were simply numbing in their ineptness. But is
was shiny and pretty to look at, to sucker in unknowing beginners, I
assume. Made in China, perhaps.

And I had the opportunity to buy a Selmer Mark IV so many times back
when they were new and affordable. I still kick myself regretting not
doing so. But avoid Armstrong like the plague!!

By the way, I am in the market for and Eb clarinet, so if anyone knows
of any decent ones at a reasonable price (OK, I'm a dreamer) please let
me know.

Bill E.