 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clockwiser
Date: 2007-05-28 19:06
Hi!
Whats your opinion on Hanson Clarinets?
How does it compare with clarinets made by Buffet and Yamaha, including the keyword and sound?
Also, can anybody compare Hanson Clarinet with clarinet by Ridenour?
I have read some information on BBoard about how people liked it but not about other details.
Any input will be much appreciated!
Best wishes,
Frank
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Author: D
Date: 2007-05-28 20:11
Well I have three of them. The keywork fits my hands better than the Buffet and Boosey and Hawkes layout and seems sturdier (at least on the ones I have looked at). I have removable alt Eb levers on my A and Bb which I especially wanted. Two of them are T5s which I thought were very good value for money for what I wanted them for at the time. I play at a fairly intermediate standard so a pro may disagree on this: I found they handle jazz, classical, whatever else you can think of fine. You can make the sound be pretty much what you want. I could never get the Buffet to sound dirty, but that could of been because it needed some work doing.
You will probably find reports on here about Hanson not replying to messages etc. That is because it is a small company with far too few staff and far too much success, haven't quite caught up with themselves yet. The best thing is to not be in a great hurry. They are not a warehouse. These things are made in the smallest barn you ever saw on a very very cold hill near Marsden. I went out there once. Take a very thick water proof coat and drive a car that doesn't mind steep hills and narrow roads. And there are no public loos for miles that I saw. Great people, great product, but don't expect it to be like ordering a sofa from DFS.
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2007-05-28 20:58
-- "The keywork fits my hands better than the Buffet and Boosey and Hawkes layout and seems sturdier " --
I must admit that I have a cheap student Hanson model and you're absolutely right about the keywork.
I've got an old 1975 Buffet full boehm (excellent), Noblet 45, Normandy, Yamaha 24ii, very old Selmer model, Couesnon Monopole and a Guy Humphries A-clarinet ..... all collected over the years with the aim of choosing the best and selling the others. Easier said than done!! See old posts on 'GAS' (Gear acquisition syndrome).
Without a doubt, the Hanson is the most comfortable to play. I use it for practising every day, but tend to take the Buffet along for serious playing, simply due to the deeper and stronger tone.
Over the last 7 years it's got dragged along with me on holidays, left assembled for months, dropped, kicked etc, yet still plays with no problem. I'm impressed with the sturdy keywork but also with the springs. No sign of weakening. As for the yellow pads that mine has, I have no idea what they use, but they seem to be better than average.
I'm a bit out of date, but my clarinet came with a choice of Vandoren MPs, 2 barrels included and good quality swab and ligature - something I've never seen anywhere else.
Steve
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Author: D
Date: 2007-05-29 15:59
They still offer the two barrels and quality accessories thing, there is also the option to just buy the package without - I guess for if your buffet got sat on and you already have all the side dishes.
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Author: clockwiser
Date: 2007-05-29 18:26
"I guess for if your buffet got sat on and you already have all the side dishes."
I would never sit on my lovely Buffet R13 (if that what you meant!)
The reason for getting a hard rubber clarinet is that my area is really humid, with rain all the time, I will be playing in a school orchestra frequently. I just don't want to take the risk.
Is a student Hanson clarinet (HE-3 or HE-3V) ok as my "secondary" clarinet after been playing a Buffet R-13 since I started the clarinet?
Thanks!
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