The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Todd W.
Date: 2004-06-10 23:19
There was a recent query about music stores in eastern Canada that got some good responses.
I will be visting VANCOUVER in a couple of weeks and would like recommendations about music stores in that city.
I'm particularly interested in trying out some Vandoren B40 mouthpieces (David Dow has had some good words about them) and have not found any locally to try.
Googling brings up Long & McQuade; Northwest Musical Services, Ltd.; and Tom Lee Music.
Any comments from satisfied (or otherwise) customers?
Thanks,
Todd W.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-06-11 00:11
If you can afford it, I'd highly recommend visiting Backun Musical Services for a high-end barrel and/or bell. They're pricy ($150+ for barrels, $300+ for bells, I think), but well worth it.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2004-06-11 03:51
Isn't Peter Spriggs in the BC area somewhere near Vancouver?
Bob A
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Author: marcia
Date: 2004-06-11 04:21
Peter Spriggs is in Penticton B.C. which is about a four hour drive from Vancouver. Not exactly near. And FYI. I was in Morrie Backun's shop a while ago talking with the VSO principal clarinet about his Backun barrels and bells. As I recall, he indicated a much higher price than Alex has quoted. You may want to look into that before you try them out.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-06-11 06:50
The prices may well be higher. Those were numbers I'd heard floating around when he visited L.A. (discount, I think, in that case... I heard about it too late so I can't be sure), and I think I'm paying closer to 200 for the barrel I'm getting soon.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2004-06-11 17:06
And if you've made it far enough east on Hastings Street to find Morrie Backun's shop go about 6 blocks further to Massullo Music specially if you are into used saxes and sax mouthpieces. They have brass and clarinet stuff too. I do most of my own repairs but they pin all my cracks, tighten rings and straighten badly bent keys at rational prices and are "usually" on time.
http://www.massullomusic.com/
http://www.backunmusical.com/
http://www.pspriggs.com/
Oh yes, when visiting make sure to try out our great system of public transit, http://www.translink.bc.ca/ it's a bargain compared to the current price of gas, parking too, and you won't add to our already jammed streets. Take the #135 from the Burrard St Station and you can hit Long&McQuade, Backun and Massullo on the same trip. When you're done with music take it to the top of the hill and have a nice stroll around the Simon Fraser University campus. The #135 runs every 6 to 10 minutes.
A great teacher gives you answers to questions
you don't even know you should ask.
Post Edited (2004-06-11 20:07)
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Author: Todd W.
Date: 2004-06-11 23:31
Thanks, everyone, for the input.
I was thinking about Penticton (Peter Spriggs), too, until I looked at a map.
Backun will have to wait until the right Lotto ticket arrives. (I'm just looking for a mouthpiece for the backup/outdoor horn this trip.)
bill28099, your answer lives up to your tagline: I didn't think to ask about public transportation; I'll check out the #135.
Todd W.
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2004-06-12 00:47
As a tourist in Vancouver, BC a transit map and an $8 CDN day pass is the best investment you can make in my book. That day pass gets you on any bus to any zone, the skytrain from end to end and a fun ferry ride to North Vancouver from which can can take great pictures of downtown. And if you want to go to the beach, catch the #351 at the Burrard St. Station (it runs every 30 minutes) to Cresent Beach, which in my mind is the nicest and least developed in the GVRD. Hope you enjoy your stay.
A great teacher gives you answers to questions
you don't even know you should ask.
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Author: marcia
Date: 2004-06-12 04:41
To all visitors to Vancouver-bring an umberella!! It may be nearly summer but the rain do still come down!
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