Klarinet Archive - Posting 000137.txt from 2003/01

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Kegelstadt (Was Clarinet in Movies)
Date: Tue, 7 Jan 2003 17:43:59 -0500

At 10:29 AM 1/7/2003 -0500, Mark Gresham wrote:
Just curious,
> Are there any inklings of improvements in Chinese made clarinets?

The latest ones I have seen come in nice-looking CASES.

> Are any "western" clarinet manufacturers (the word used to distinguish
> assembly line products from the best instruments) investing to produce
> any better "beginner" instruments in China than at the "garbage" level?

Selmer has been extensively revising its student line clarinets. Leblanc,
too, has recently begun to offer smaller-bore student clarinets as an
alternative to the ubiquitous .584 Vitos. In any case, the worst thing
ever to come off their lines is VASTLY superior in materials (at LEAST!) to
anything I have seen out of China. Also, parts for horns from legitimate
manufacturers are readily obtainable and replaceable if the need
arises. And their keys do not actually MELT when soldered.

Bill Hausmann

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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