 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2004-07-25 21:07
Anyone play on Wurlitzer clarinets? After playing them at Clarinetfest, I have fallen in love with them. They sound nice, respond great and feel gooood.
Steven Bates let me try his bass clarinet, which is a reformed boehm system, and it was very different than the normal bass I play on. I also had to use the german mpc on it, which took getting used to. Placement of fingers were weird as well.
Wurlitzer has made a barrel that allows us "normal" clarinetists use a french mpc on the instrument. So when playing on my own mpc, I was so surprised by the good tone quality and everything, I was convinced I wanted it. But when Steve put the german barrel and mpc on the clarinet, at first I sounded horrible. I was all airy and squeeky. He gave me a couple pointers, and all of a sudden my sound was better than with my own mpc! It was such a huge change!
Anyone ever thought of switchin over to the german bores and mpc set up? I think I would... I mean, if I had like $5000 for the clarinet and $16,000 for the bass. :'(
--CG
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2004-07-25 21:32
I've asked this question before, in another thread, and got no answer. So I'll try again.
So a $5000 Wurlitzer is nicer to play than a $2000 R13. I can believe that.
But is the reason (a) because German instruments are better than Boehm or (b) because the instrument costs more?
There are plenty of less expensive German clarinets than the Wurlitzer. Dollar for dollar, are they nicer to play than Boehm instruments?
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2004-07-25 22:50
Well, this was a Boehm clarinet. They call it the reformed boehm, but I think that was only on the bass clarinet (with the double register key). The guy told me that a common misconception is that Wurlitzer makes only Oehler/German systems, when in fact they make Boehm as well. Granted, they are much more expensive.
But, their clarinets are hand made and customizable. If you want rollers on some keys, draw it up and if it is in reason, they will do it! I think that the quality of materials they use and the quality of work on the instruments are just great.
--CG
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Author: kenbear
Date: 2004-07-26 00:34
In terms of build quality, Wurlitzer reform boehms and those of other German master makers (Leitner & Kraus, Dietz, Huyng, Schwenk & Seggelke to name a few) are real works of art.
YOU still have to play them though.
While addressing some perennial problems inherent in the regular boehm clarinet design, these instruments still have their own set of quirks to contend with.
But I find the responsiveness, resistance and general feel of the Wurlitzers makes the effort in getting to know them well worthwhile.
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