Klarinet Archive - Posting 001269.txt from 1998/05

From: "Jason Hsien" <jasonavhs@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] "Best" Plastic Clarinet
Date: Tue, 26 May 1998 02:15:48 -0400

-----Original Message-----
From: Sheryl L. Katz <slkatz@-----.com>

|I've got a Yamaha YCL 64 that I play every day when I'm home, but my job
|demands a certain amount of travel. Not wanting to damage my Yamaha, I
have
|a Selmer Bundy about 20 years old or so that someone gave me; it is
plastic.
|I hate it.

Hmm... I have a 10 year old Bundy and I love it. It plays great (if you play
it right), and all the mechanisms still work very decent (despite all the
horrible stuff I did to it when I was younger. I mean... when you're
learning to play an instrument, and your 8, and your parents and teachers
tell you to keep your instrument clean, don't you immediately think "kitchen
sink"?)

Now, I'm not saying it doesn't have it's flaws. Hold it at too far an angle
away from you, and it won't play a note. Some pads get watery when you get
into the upper registers. After marching band performances, keyholes leak
spit.

But, it plays, at most, 10-15 cents sharp or flat, but will usually play in
tune without too much adjustment. The sound is always bright and you can
still hit that E above the staff at a moments notice. (which I have yet to
say for my new wood Buffet, but hey, it's still new, even if I've had it for
nearly a year, just never played it, and i'll learn!)

About your Bundy, this combo worked for me. You might want to try it:
MOUTHPIECE : Rico Royal B5 ($20)
REED: Vandoren V-12 #3.5 ($15 for box of 10)
LIGATURE: Still using the one that came with clarinet, but it
worked even better with my Rovner Dark.

Good luck!

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