Klarinet Archive - Posting 000158.txt from 1998/11

From: Shouryu Nohe <jnohe@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] The Best Clarinets
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1998 19:46:13 -0500

Ginger inquires:
> I'm still looking for a professional Clarinet.
> Would anyone like to comment on what the best choice might be?

This thread comes up often, and as a result, I hung on to what I posted
last time. There is no quick answer, but hopefully, this might help you.
Read on...

On Wed, 23 Sep 1998, Shouryu Nohe wrote:

> On Wed, 23 Sep 1998 JCLizmod@-----.com wrote:
> > Does anybody know who makes the best clarinets these days?
>
> I'm guessing you're relatively new to the list - otherwise you'd realize
> that this is a dangerous question. But I'll answer it without any
> particular bias.
>
> First things first: do not buy a pro line stick unless your embouchure is
> firm and well developed, and you have a decent set up. A decent set up
> means, basically, reeds of good quality (at least Mitchell Luries, but
> Vandorens, Grand Concerts, and Zondas are typically considered the highest
> quality), a good ligature (not the one that came with your horn, but not
> necessarily the most expensive), and a good mouthpiece (in nearly every
> case, never the one that comes with the horn).
>
> If you have a lousy embouchure OR a lousy set up, or both, whether you're
> playing on an Opus, Vintage, YCL-CX, or a Bundy, Vito, Artley, the
> clarinet will sound lousy. I can take my set-up to an Artley and make it
> sound good. But a lousy set up on my Greenline sounds horrible.
>
> Once you nail down the proper embouchure, purchase at least intermediate
> level mpc/reeds/ligatures/barrels, THEN you should be looking at
> clarinets.
>
> There are MANY makers of professional quality horns. Which one is best is
> completely subjective - only YOU know which is best, because Shouryu Nohe
> does not play like Roger Garret does not play like Chriss Hoffman does not
> play like Dee Hays does not play like Dan Leeson. Find which clarinet
> suits your embouchure and set up (certain mouthpieces are custom designed
> for certain bored clarinets).
>
> The two biggest names in the clarinet business right now are Buffet and
> LeBlanc. Also big, but slightly lesser known are Selmer and Yamaha (if
> Selmer would actually publish prices and models, maybe more people would
> consider playing them).
>
> Buffet offers quite a few different professional level clarinets, each
> with their own flavor. The R13 is the most popular, along with the RC,
> the Prestige, and the R13 RCs and R13 Prestiges. Also available is the
> R13 Vintage and the Elite. All of them are fine horns (although it is
> often noted that the Elite is distinctly bright). The Greenline is a
> relatively new option as well -you can get most R13 models in Greenline
> now (I play a R13 Greenline...perhaps later we will see an Greenline
> Vintage, which I will immediately jump at...Mr. Kloc?).
>
> LeBlanc has an equally diverse selection of good instruments. The Opus
> and Concerto models are their best sellers. The Symfonie VII, Infinite,
> and Esprit are also good horns (although the Esprit's tuning is closer to
> that of a student clarinet, rather than a professional).
>
> I have no clue what Selmer makes. Blame them - not me. I have no time to
> hunt down an authorized dealer when I can try Buffets and LeBlancs right
> here and now. I am told, though, that their products are good. If their
> clarinets are anything think their saxes, then they are an option to be
> considered.
>
> Yamaha produces the YCL-CX, -CS, -AE, and -SE. These are all pro horns
> with varied bores. I have not tried them, but word is that they are
> great.
>
> Then there are the dark horse companies - they make proline horns, but get
> nowhere near the distribution the previous four do. I'll list them, but I
> can't give a review, not having played them.
>
> Rossi - known for having a single joint, rather than two
> Patricola - made from rosewood
> Peter Eaton
> Jupiter
>
> The final word? All of these manufacturers make 'the best' clarinet.
> Buffet makes 'the best' clarinet for Shouryu Nohe, Robert Spring, and
> Roger Garret. Leblanc makes 'the best' clarinet for Dee Hays, Chris
> Hoffman, and Nicole Glass. Yamaha makes 'the best' clarinet for John
> Bruce Yeh.
>
> Just remember that the best clarinet ain't worth jack if your
> embouchure/setup is the worst.
>
> J. Shouryu Nohe
> http://web.nmsu.edu/~jnohe
> Professor of SCSM102, New Mexico State Univ.
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> "Yeah, but look at the commanders. Even in this heat, they're still
> cool and in command." - Ibuki Maya
> "It's hot." - Lt. Cmdr. Fuyutsuki.
> "Yes." - Cmdr. Ikari
>
>

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