Klarinet Archive - Posting 000026.txt from 1998/02

From: Jack Kissinger <kissingerjn@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Used wood clarinets
Date: Sun, 1 Feb 1998 14:28:32 -0500

Hi Lauren,

A quick search of the net confirmed that you found most of these
instruments at Freeport Music's web site. I don't find their selection
impressive. I also don't know for a fact where all of these instruments
have come from but, considering the variety (including an apparent metal
instrument), I strongly suspect garage sales, estate sales and the
like. If they can sell a horn, "with all the fixins" including an
overhaul and a new case for $250, they can't have paid more than $70 or
$80 for it to begin with. If you had found one of these instruments at
a local music store and tried it out and found it played well for you,
it might not be a bad deal. I would strongly advise against buying one
of these over the web, however. Only the Artley is a widely recognized
brand and, frankly, from past comments on the list, it is more notorious
than famous.

All of these instruments are likely to be old (not necessarily bad in
itself but they may not have always been well cared for) and, at best,
step-up models. Most are probably student models and not likely to be a
better instrument than your plastic one. (A bad wooden clarinet can be
infinitely worse than a good plastic one.) Unless you are VERY lucky,
$250 is not going to buy you much of a wooden clarinet from a dealer.
You might, however, be able to pick up a respectable step-up horn
through local newspaper ads, a local store or a local repair tech. It
is important, however, that you try before you buy and look each
instrument over carefully. If you study privately, your teacher should
help (in fact, may even know of a horn that's available). Particular
brands to look for include: Evette (Buffet), Buffet E11, E12 and E13
(newer Evettes), Noblet, particularly model 45 (LeBlanc), Selmer Signet
or CL 200,210 or 220, and Yamaha YCL52.

Before you buy an instrument, it would be a good idea to pick up a copy
of the Woodwind and Brasswind catalog to familiarize yourself with
features and prices of different wooden instruments. It would also be a
good idea to visit the Selmer, Leblanc, and Boosey & Hawkes websites to
look around. The more information you have the better decisions you
will make.

If all you have to spend is $250, you might be better off to save up or
wait until your budget is bigger, say at least $400-$600. Some of these
older French-made clarinets can be good instruments -- most of the
manufacturers are/were located in the same region and employees of the
major manufacturers sometimes moonlighted. But you have to know what
you're doing and be careful when you buy one. You MAY be able to find a
decent wooden instrument for $250 but it will probably take a good deal
of study, legwork and patience.

Warm regards and good hunting,

Jack Kissinger
St. Louis

Lauren Peterson wrote:
>
> Hello all!
>
> After participating in Solo and Ensemble, one of my judges strongly
> suggested buying a wood clarinet (which I have been wanting for quite a
> long time). He also suggested looking for a used wood clarinet in good
> condition, since new wood clarinets can be quite costly. So I have been
> shopping around for a while , and found that there are many good wood
> clarinets at excellent prices. Because I don't know much about wood
> clarinets, I was hoping someone on the list could tell me if any one or
> more of these particular brands are good or bad. I found a Jean Baptiste
> Grenadilla wood clarinet (used) for $229.95 with case, mouthpiece, cap,
> ligature, cork grease, and reed. I also found a Bardot Grenadilla wood
> clarinet with all the "fixens" for $219.95. Some more I found was an
> Artley wood for $269.95, a Concord Cadet wood for $239.95, and Andre
> Paris wood for $249.95. Are any of these good deals? Should I purchase
> any one of these?
>
> Thanx in advace for all your help!
>
> ~Lauren Peterson
> http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/8410/
> clari-sax@-----.com