Klarinet Archive - Posting 000446.txt from 1999/06

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Yamaha YCL-SE Bb clarinet
Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 20:53:33 -0400

On Mon, 14 Jun 1999, Carl Schexnayder wrote:
> I haven't posted in a while, but when you mentioned the Yamaha clarinet, it
> caught my eye. I was wondering if you ever tried the Yamaha AE? It's the
> professional model that's supposed to have a bore and tapor similar to the
> German bore clarinets.

Yes! I spent a great deal of time with both the A and Bb of this Yamaha
clarinet. It was a very good clarinet - although I didn't sense that the
cound was "German" although it was smooth, clear, and (sorry) dark. I
preferred this clarinet over the others they were selling, although I
liked the V style SE also.

> They loved it
> and picked it above the Selmer Recital and Signature, and an R13. I also
> liked the sound better.

For me, the Vintage R-13 had the best overall sound - the R-13 Prestige a
very close second. Frankly, the Selmers were extremely dissapointing -
especially because of the positive discussion on this list regarding the
Signature - a decidedly poor scale, uneven tones, and dead last in the
comparision with the big "4". I liked the Yamaha "German" sound better
than the Leblanc Opus/Concerto and the other Yamaha clarinets.

> We found the pitch to be remarkably
> accurate, (except for the open g, which, I think, was a little flat).

I agree - although the first space F was flat also - even more so on the
Leblancs (a surprise given the frank discussion of the pitch of the
Opus/Concerto a couple of months back).

> Most German bore clarinets are very expensive,
> but I thought the Yamaha was very reasonably priced. I think it was around
> $1600.00 from WW and BW.

For a new product in the line, I have to agree with you on this point.

RG

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