Klarinet Archive - Posting 000967.txt from 2004/07

From: "Robert T. Creutz" <RobertTCreutz@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] eBay (was Jupiter Parisienne Series Clarinets, etc._
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2004 10:52:11 -0400

Ken Wolman wrote:

>>I am frankly mistrustful of any instrument that I cannot
see, touch, and play for an extended period...since it seems to be an
article of faith that no two clarinets are alike, even in the same model
range.<<

Excellent advice, Ken, and that applies to all musical instruments (I play a
few). I should actually get off my butt, drive the 30 miles to Boston
(after the DNC is over), pay the $40 or so to park, drop into Rayburn Music
(home of the famous woodwind repairman Emilio Lyons) and try out a few
instruments. They might even have a Jupiter Parisienne. Their current
"used" list at the Web site has a few R-13's on it. Problem is, I never
seem to get the time. (I know, I should FIND the time. After all, I'm
finding the time to write messages here...) Consequently, my query should
have read, "If I'm willing to play Russian roulette with e-Bay or mail-order
houses, what is the likelihood I'll get disappointed from my purchase of a
new Jupiter Parisienne as a pro-quality instrument?"

Are there any mail-order houses, or dealers on the 'Net, who will allow me
to play an instrument "for an extended period" and send it back if I don't
find it satisfactory. (This is a serious -- not a rhetorical -- question).

>>I think at times I might have been better off with a new E-11.<<

That's classified as intermediate-level, but it's in my price range. Would
it be a good choice in terms of tone and overall playability? (I want dark
and mellow.) There are always a lot of them for sale, used, which causes me
to wonder.

Robert Creutz

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