Klarinet Archive - Posting 000517.txt from 2000/02

From: "Kevin Fay (LCA)" <kevinfay@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Newcomer Question?
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 17:03:05 -0500

Mary Kay Wilson asked:

<<<This brings up another question. Right now he is playing on an old
Artley plastic clarinet (which will be perfect for marching band). Is it
necessary to go straight to a pro model or would an intermediate get him
through High School? He is quite talented, and even sounds great on his
Artley.>>>

There are 2 schools of thought here.

One -- to which I adhere -- is to hold out for the professional-level
clarinet. A used Buffet R-13, properly cared for and/or overhauled, is
likely to be a much better horn (and not a great deal more expensive) than
an "intermediate" model. If your guy is really that talented, why buy a
horn that he will "outgrow" in a short period of time?

This was an easy argument to make when I was a wee lad. I bought my first
Buffet R-13 in 1977, brand-new for the prodigious sum of $325. I spent an
*entire summer* busing tables & scooping ice cream to afford it.

Today, the street price for a R-13 hovers around two thousand bucks -- a
fair chunk of change by any estimation. High school kids need to save for
college, too.

The other school of thought is to *carefully* select an intermediate
instrument. Some are not bad -- the Buffet E-11 is used successfully by a
number of professional doublers that I know. Leblanc has a number of
intermediate instruments that I have heard good things about, too. The
manufacturers have recognized the need for the intermediate market, and have
beefed up their offerings considerably.

I would generally not buy a used intermediate horn. A full overhaul cost a
couple of hundred bucks -- added to the cost of the horn itself, you might
as well spring for a new one. http://www.wwandbw.com sells them for $579;
http://www.intlmusicalsuppliers.com sells them for $595. I have purchased
instruments from both, and have been extremely happy with the service.

Whether buying a used pro horn or a new intermediate, be sure that you have
the right to try it out w/ the opportunity to return. If you son has a
private teacher, it would be a good idea to have her/him evaluate the
purchase for you.

kjf

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org