Klarinet Archive - Posting 000846.txt from 2001/02

From: Bilwright@-----.net (William Wright)
Subj: Re: [kl] novice looking for advice
Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2001 14:54:49 -0500

<><> David@-----.=A0Kumpf wrote:
I ended up selling my horn (a Buffet R13). This is some 22 years ago now
[snip] My thought is that if I get a horn, I don't want to spend a lot
up front [snip] The local school music store immediately wants to
steer me to a rental program, which really isn't where I want to go.
[snip] I'm open to any advice or ideas: where to buy, brand and model

Since you've owned an R-13, you obviously have had some experience
with quality instruments, and you already know that the only reliable
way to choose an instrument is to try as many of them as possible first.

You've said that you don't want to rent, and I'm guessing that
perhaps the stores in your area rent student horns only.

My comment, therefore, is that if you want (eventually) to own a
professional horn but you're not ready to spend $3000 yet, then renting
a _decent_ student or intermediate horn made buy one of the "big 4"
(Yamaha, Buffet, Selmer, or Leblanc) is the best compromise. You can
use the rental period to 'test drive' as many instruments as possible
(used as well as new, I ended up buying a used horn that the owner lent
to me for a few weeks, and now I would never give it up) and when you
know for sure --- and don't need to ask for other people's opinions ---
then you can put your money on the table.

Do you know yet what qualities you want in a horn? Big jazz
sound? Tightly focused classical tone? Klezmer? Dance band? High
resistance? Easy blowing? If you can't answer these questions yet (I
couldn't when I began), then it seems to me that renting is even more
appropriate in your case.

Cheers,
Bill

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