Klarinet Archive - Posting 000140.txt from 2003/01

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] RE: Chinese Clarinets
Date: Tue, 7 Jan 2003 17:50:33 -0500

At 11:30 AM 1/7/2003 -0500, Buckman, Nancy wrote:
>I was in Costco (wholesale warehouse in the U.S.) before Christmas and there
>was a clarinet, flute and trumpet on display, each at $169.95. The clarinet
>had a reed on it (no brand) so I got bold and took the thing out of the
>display case to play. After removing the mouthpiece from the instrument,
>with difficulty I got the mouthpiece to squeak. putting the thing back
>together, it wouldn't play a note. Some keys wouldn't close, some were bent
>and the posts on some were turned (probably why keys wouldn't close). the
>flute was worthless - so airy in sound it would frustrate a pro and the
>trumpet, while playable, had rough valve action and the third valve slide
>wouldn't work.

And that is what they are like when NEW!

The big problem with the trumpets is the valves. The plating on them is SO
poor that it flakes off literally within WEEKS.

Bill Hausmann

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

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