The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: randi
Date: 2004-11-21 00:46
Hello my name is Randi, I am a student and have been playing clarinet for about four years. I was looking to replace the case to my wooden clarinet, then spotted a silver clarinet. Do these clarinets have a different tone? What is the difference between a wooden clarinet and a silver clarinet? How much should a silver clarinet cost? Are silver clarinets the same size and shape as a wooden clarinet?
Thanks in advance,
Randi
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Author: Daggett
Date: 2004-11-21 00:58
This link should help you out:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=6523&t=6521
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Author: Dee
Date: 2004-11-21 12:27
Metal clarinets sound just like wooden ones.
Most metal clarinets are student grade and are nickel plating over a base metal. Unfortunately many of them were poorly made just like so many of the cheap student clarinets of today.
Metal clarinets have not been made since the 1970s and were particularly popular in the 1930s and 1940s.
Professional grade metal clarinets were made but are so rare that they command premium collector's prices.
If you decide to buy a metal clarinet, check on the quality by asking on the bulletin board before buying.
Assume that any metal clarinet you buy will need a complete overhaul so be prepared for the added expense.
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2004-11-21 14:08
"Metal clarinets sound just like wooden ones."
Define "sound".
Metal clarinets sound like metal clarinets and wooden clarinets sound like wooden clarinets.
If your hearing aids won't 'tell' you the difference ask the guy in the seat next to you. (especially if he is a member of the R-13 mafia).
Bob A
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Author: randi
Date: 2004-11-21 23:16
The manufacturer of the silver clarinet i am looking to buy is
Wolverine
Grinnell Bros
Detroit, Mich.
Is this a good choice, also the price is $67
The clarinet looks to be in good condition, and comes with a brand new case, is this a good deal?
Thanks,
Randi
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2004-11-21 23:49
randi wrote:
> The manufacturer of the silver clarinet i am looking to buy is
> Wolverine
> Grinnell Bros
> Detroit, Mich.
> Is this a good choice, also the price is $67
Is this a good choice for what? Grinnel Bros. in Detroit used to sell stencil instruments - there's no way anyone could judge quality by the name.
Can you afford to throw $67 + shipping away? It might be worth it ...
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Author: Contra
Date: 2004-11-22 00:24
If you're used to idly spending $1000+ on professional clarinets, then $67 for a metal clarinet isn't so bad. Personally, the only metal clarinets I've heard that sound good are the Leblanc contras.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-11-22 00:48
Not long ago [6 months?] we had a Wolverine question, so please search our archives for W or for Grinnell, [I grew up in Mich] for info. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: jim lande
Date: 2004-11-22 02:17
The price is about averge for student quality metal clarinets. If it has no stuck keys or damage, and if it comes with a nice case then it is a fair price. A lot of techs don't like working on metal clarinets, so make sure that you have one lined up before you purchase the instrument and know whether "all pads, all cork, polish body + keys & probably some springs" is going to run $150 or $300. After that, expect something that might not work as good as a new vito or bundy.that you could get for possibly the same total cost.
As to sound, I have played a lot of metal clarinets and a few wooden ones, I think there is more difference between different brands of metal clarinets than there is between metal and wood or metal and plastic or plastic and wood. Furthermore, I think there is more difference in sound using different mouthpieces on the same clarinet than is caused by changing clarinets but using the same mouthpiece & setup.
Some professional quality metal clarinets have larger bores than is now the fashion. This may make the pitch more flexible and less precise. That said, I think that if I played behind a curtain and alternated between my R13 and my Penzel Muller double walled metal, few folks in the audiance would know which was which or detect when I changed horns.
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Author: buedsma
Date: 2004-11-22 13:41
i did play a 5-piece selmer and now have two noblets, one german silver and the other plain metal. The plain metal did cost me 50 dollar ( just bought it for the case ) and it plays remarkably well in tune and has a much better sound then the other one. The selmer i sold again , this one also had a good sound. There is of course a difference between modern and older clarinets.
You can buy new metal clarinets from orsi instruments in Italy.
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