 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-12-06 13:54
I used my "Graham-ized" Amati 604 in a wind ensemble concert yesterday. I had a bartolai barrel and a Greg Smith mouthpiece and velcro lig.
It's been almost two years since the last amati thread so I figured I'd just point out that yesterday I played my 'hooked up' amati next to two professionals (one on either side) and we blended very well. One even asked what clarinet it was. I pointed out that it was an Amati and not very wellknown. He responded with something along the lines of, "Well it sounds really good. Blends well, and tunes well."
Just putting it out there. There are a few regular posters that have Amatis as well as one wellknown former "buffet nazi" who after a trial allowed an Amati clarinet into his R-13 arsenal.
Just reminding people out there not to forget about the not so big, but not to be dismissed number "five" clarinet maker.
Alexi
(Hope it's been long enough for the thread to stay up)
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2004-12-06 15:10
I've used my Oehler system Amati for a number of jobs over the past nine months, and I've gotten complements on tone in each case. "Beautiful, singing tone on that prominent part" and "Sweet" were the terms used on my Hello, Dolly!, work (three prominent solos plus a lot of fast stuff during the Waiter's Gallop).
Eyes tend to bug out with other clarinet players when they find out that it's a) an Amati horn ("What's that?"), and b) that it's a German system clarinet, but the listeners are what really matters. And, they don't know a Buffet from the buffet...
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2004-12-06 20:13
I have an Amati 604 and use it quite regularily for jazz and church work where, to me and those commenting on the tone, it has a warmer, richer, more complex sound than my Buffet - the projection is not as tight and centered but it gives a room filling gorgeous tone and warm ambience. I also use it at times in a county orchestra group with my friends in the Buffet mafia and they have no complaints about the horn-player blending with the section.
The key work is superb and even though a full Boehm instrument I have had no problems adjusting from the Buffet "touch". Once stripped of the dull black finish it has beautiful chocolate brown tight grained wood worth showing off. I am well pleased with this horn. It too was Graham Goldenized and fitted with Staurbinger pads.
The Doctor
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-12-06 21:41
With all due respect, Alexi, so what? My 1920-ish Italian-made "Carl Fischer Artist Model" blended well ---- any decent clarinet with a good mouthpiece and good player behind it will work. And for every good Amati there's probably at least one lousy one, as with Buffet or any other brand --- only the percentages may vary. Besides, when it comes to the final result, 90% is the player, 5% is the mouthpiece, 3% is the reed, and 2% is the clarinet itself (percentages approximate and totally fabricated by yours truly). End of rant. Everybody get back into the 'shed and resume practicing.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-12-07 18:28
Quote:
With all due respect, Alexi, so what? Point taken.
I know it was out of the blue and pointless, but I see so many posts over and over again about the big four I felt I'd like to give a little more attention to Amati so as people don't forget that it's out there. Basically just to make them a little more confused on what brands to try out! ![[rotate]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley25.gif)
US Army Japan Band
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-12-07 18:46
Alexi,
Pardon my grumpiness --- I blame old age (over 40 is old, right?) and the onset of winter for my bad mood.
Not a bad idea to mention Amati once in a while. One of my three favorite Bb clarinets is an Amati ACL-311 I got for cheap and overhauled (with the addition of tonehole undercutting, something that ought to be done by the factory IMHO).
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-12-07 18:51
Quote:
Alexi,
Pardon my grumpiness --- I blame old age (over 40 is old, right?) and the onset of winter for my bad mood. Consider yourself pardoned. I know you're a swell guy and wouldn't hold a little grumpiness here or there against you.Quote:
One of my three favorite Bb clarinets is an Amati ACL-311 I got for cheap and overhauled (with the addition of tonehole undercutting, something that ought to be done by the factory IMHO). I always thought that too, But personally I'd rather save some bucks from the factory, and pay a professional to custom work it up (undercutting also) than trust a factory machine that I have NO idea how often it's maintained to do such a critical part of the instrument for me.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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