Klarinet Archive - Posting 000097.txt from 2002/11

From: "WILLIAM SEMPLE" <wsemple@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] returning to the fold - instrument choices
Date: Sat, 2 Nov 2002 08:11:12 -0500

When I looked for a "second clarinet," winding up buying an R-13 that I
lucked out on, I played several Yamaha student clarinets. I was extremely
impressed. The Buffets by comparison seemed poorly constructed for the
reasons you describe.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Anna Benassi" <acb@-----.is>
Subject: [kl] returning to the fold - instrument choices

> As usual, Lelia's input is wise and insightful beyond the call of duty
> - lessons first and a horn later is a sensible way to go. But having
> said that, I have to put in my $0.02 worth about student clarinets. I
> teach in a music school setting where we lend instruments to our
> students for the first few years of their education. We have a few
> Vitos and Jupiters, a bunch of Buffets (B12 and B10), and a lot of
> Yamahas of varying vintage. (For some reason, Selmer Bundys and others
> haven't made it up here to Iceland in large numbers.) My experience is
> that the Yamahas stand the test of time and student use (and abuse, in
> the case of those aged 8-12) far better than the others do. And this
> is not only my own opinion - a quick survey of our local repair shop
> will show you Buffet B10s spilling out the door, for example, while
> the Yamahas just plain don't make it INTO the repair shop, for they
> break down much less often.
>
> I have observed in lessons that the keywork on a Yamaha is much
> stronger than on the other horns. If a student should chance to bend a
> key on a Yamaha, I cannot bend it back by hand. On the other horns, I
> can do almost what I like with the keys (which is sometimes
> frightening). Our Bundy bass clarinet has such soft metal in its keys
> that the same key has broken twice - the first break occurred under
> normal playing conditions when the horn was virtually brand new.
>
> I've taught in the same school for 15 years and know our clarinet
> inventory pretty well by now. The Yamaha student line is about as
> indestructible as an instrument can be and maintains excellent resale
> value (at least it does here; your mileage may vary). It is usually a
> bit more expensive in the US than are the other student horns, but as
> far as I can see, it's worth it.
>
> Just one woman's opinion - your wife should try out lots of horns and
> see what she likes. Best of luck to you both in your joint musical
> endeavors!
>
> Anna
>
>
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>

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