Klarinet Archive - Posting 000421.txt from 2003/04

From: "Matthew Lloyd" <Matthew@-----.uk>
Subj: RE: [kl] Silly question
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2003 00:35:57 -0400

All good advice. Just one thing I would like to add. I had my heart set
on an RC Prestige. I wanted to have the "best" clarinet that Buffet did.
(I had by this time decided I preferred the RC bore to the R13, and had
ruled out Selmer and Howarth's) Leblanc are not so big over here as they
are over there.

I had borrowed an RC from the dealer - but despite trying a number I
could not come up with a prestige clarinet that played as well as, let
alone better than, the cooking RC. So I saved myself a lot of money and
bought it.

Moral - each clarinet is individual. Your Concerto may be a good one, or
it may be an average one. But until you have it serviced you will never
know. And, even if you decide in the end to go for something different,
you will have added some considerable value to it from a full overhaul
if it hasn't had one for some while. Probably not enough to repay
yourself, but a long way there.

Think very carefully. And try lots and lots of instruments - both in the
store and - if you find one you like - at home and with a group. If you
store doesn't let you do that then find another!

Matthew

-----Original Message-----
From: CBA [mailto:clarinet10001@-----.com]
Subject: Re: [kl] Silly question

Sam,

I have noticed all of the people telling you about the Concerto
and it's merits. I want to agree with them, but go a little
further...

You got your Concerto when you were 15...how long ago was that?
Usually a clarinet needs a minor to major overhaul every 5
years, and a major one at LEAST every 10, depending on cork or
bladder pads, abuse, wear, play time, etc...

When WAS the last time you got an overhaul? Who DID the
overhaul? was it a local person, or a person with a good
reputation for transforming horns back to original (or better)
condition? For less than $500 you can get your instrument
TOTALLY reworked to the point where it will play BETTER than
most instruments for sale on the market. PLUS, beings it is not
brand new, the possibility of cracking are GREATLY minimized.

By the way, your keys can EASILY be replated silver if they are
nickel...MANY professionals prefer nickel to the silver.
Everyone assumes silver is better because it costs more.

There are LOTS of reasons to keep the instrument you have and
get an overhaul. The reasons for a new instrument when you have
a professional grade instrument already, arguably at the level
BETWEEN a regular R13 and an R13 Prestige...well, the reasons
aren't so many. It's that NEW CAR SYNDROME...you know the
one...I want a new car...it's prettier. It drives better. Not
really...it is just in more current adjustment than the old one.

If you had a Leblanc Noblet, or a Buffet E11, or a Selmer
Prologue, maybe you would outgrow it.

Other things to think about...AFTER getting your instrument
overhauled, you might want to look into a MUCH better
mouthpiece, or at least a much different style. Looking for the
mouthpiece before the instrument has been overhauled is not
really recommended. The mouthpiece might be what you outgrew.
Even high end professional hand crafted mouthpieces can be
outgrown...doesn't mean they aren't good...your mouth and
embouchure changed.

What is your teacher suggesting you get for a new instrument?
PLEASE tell me they aren't suggesting one particular brand/model
that you NEED to get.

If you want more info, the archives are FULL of threads about
buying instruments, brands, and the MANY people that would
rather play their old instrument, ESPECIALLY after having it
overhauled by a craftsperson with the knowledge to REALLY make
it work.

Other than that, you will et a lot more responses to this topic,
plus you can contact me directly, if you want...

Kelly Abraham
Woodwinds - New York City
--- Samantha McDaniel <jupitertc@-----.com> wrote:
> Hey guys! I have a silly question to ask. I was 15 years old
> when I bought
> my Leblanc Concerto. I did not do much research on clarinet
> brands or what
> not, so I basically tried it out and I liked it. I was not
> taking any
> lessons at the time, so I didn't know what to look for in a
> clarinet. The
> silly question is, how can I tell if my clarinet is nickel or
> silver plated?
> The serial number on the clarinet is 74786. I'm looking
> into buying a new
> clarinet, and this time I have a private instructor helping me
> out. Thanks!
>
> ~SAM~

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