 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: msboyd13
Date: 2007-10-22 16:10
I am looking into buying a new clarinet later this year (Decemberish). I got back into clarinet playing last year after 25 years, when my sister gave me an Armstrong for my 40th birthday. I have definitely improved over the last year and have taken my studies quite seriously (not as many scales as I should but I sure try to keep up). I read the BBoard regularly and have found it extremely helpful.
As for the impending clarinet purchase, I live in Italy (Rome) and my teacher has recommended a mid-level Buffet... I've also looked at them but I somehow feel that at this point it would be best to invest in the RC. However at about 2000 euros that's a bit more than I should spend. I've also looked into Ridenours and, recently, Hanson clarinets. Although the Ridenour is an excellent value, it would appear, I will most likely have to fork out about 200 euros more for import duty when (and if) it arrives here in Italy. This would not be the case with the Hanson (Advanced models) as it is shipped from England, so the price in euros would be more or less the same. Moreover, it would be much easier and cheaper for me to send it back to the UK for repairs if needed.
Sorry if I've confused any of you but what I'm basically asking is: what is the best clarinet for me in the 1000 euro range and if any of you could recommend the Hanson 'advanced' models over/against the Ridenour ones.
Thanks as always
Michael in Rome
Michael
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Author: equi47
Date: 2007-10-24 22:39
I see you haven't gotten a reply on this, so I will at least post my experience. I, like you, got back into playing a few years ago after not playing since high school.
Anyhow, I played with a CSO until I couldn't stand it anymore (and to make sure I wouldn't give it back up). I wanted the best clarinet for the money and also wanted it to be flexible in range/type of play (meaning music types) and i didn't want to have to upgrade again.
I tried the buffet's (R-13, B-12), a Yamaha, and some used Vitos (I had a great student model in HS so they have a soft spot in my heart). I liked the Buffet's but the key work did not agree with my smallish hands.
So I settled on ordering a Hanson. I got the T6 Rosewood. Here's my review: http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=198851&t=198851
I'm still loving the clarinet!! For mouthpieces I flip between the Vandoren 5RV 88 that came with it and a new Hite I just purchased (for fun- Im kind of an accessory nut). Both work great. I use the Vandoren optimum lig (again this came WITH the Hanson) and also a Luyben that I just picked up.
So, that's my long-winded reply for my experience with Hanson. On a side note, they are truly a pleasure to work with (I'm in the USA and they called, we emailed, etc).
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2007-10-25 01:09
I would reccomend the Buffet E-13 as I have found them to be the best mid-level clarinet on the market. I would not reccomend the E-11 as it has poor keywork and bad finish. Also the wood in the E-13 appear to be of much better quality and very close to the wood in R-13. I saw that for example www.dampi.it has it in stock and the succest retail price is 1600€ but they don't present their discount price so I would assume it to be around 1300€. In recent years it has become much better and near the quality of R-13 as it used to be around 1990(when my teacher bought his previously ownd R-13) according to my teacher who plays bass clarinet and soprano clarinet in the Icelandic Symphony orchestra.
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2007-10-25 07:23
Michael,
I've never played one of their expensive models, but my very first clarinet was a Hanson hard rubber student instrument that I bought 5 years ago - the cheapest they had! It was delivered to Italy very quickly (I'm near Lago Maggiore) and the service I received from the company was first rate.
Now I have quite a collection of clarinets, but I still love the Hanson. I find the keywork the most comfortable of all, and it appears to be built extremely solidly.
Being hard rubber, it's the instrument I take with me on holidays and it's coped with freezing winters in Poland and unbearable summers in Crete.
Despite it being played so much, I've never had to change/tweak or adjust anything - unlike some of my more expensive instruments!
I imagine their top models must be amazing!
Steve
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2007-10-25 15:41
Don't compromise you next instrument for price. The difference between a Buffet E11 and 'most anything out there will be about $.1 a day over the life of the clarinet.
Get the best clarinet you can find --regardless of cost.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Bubalooy
Date: 2007-10-25 21:49
You might enjoy looking at the web site for Roland Dörfler clarinets. He makes 2 models of Boehm clarinets. The clarinets are wood and gauranteed for 5 years, and I believe they can be purchased in the same price range that you have mentioned. I haven't played them but I hope to try them soon.
www.holzblasinstrumentenbau.de
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Author: msboyd13
Date: 2007-10-26 07:23
I think you're right about spending as much as I can.... but there definitely is a limit to how much I can realistically spend.
I looked at the RD clarinets although very little information is available on the site and much of that is in German. I couldn't find the prices. Can you tell me any more information about the two Boehm instruments?
Does anyone have any experience with the Hanson Advanced models, especially the one that is in grenadilla/resin. My teacher told me to stay away from Rosewood.
Michael
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Author: msboyd13
Date: 2007-10-26 09:05
I just went to my local music shop (Scatola sonora, for those of you looking for a play to by music and woodwinds in Rome) where they have all of the Buffet models on display for the weekend. I tried out both the E13 and the R13.... Of course, I am not an expert but I have to say that I found the E13 excellent (much, much less resistant than my Armstrong, which should come as no surprise). The paggage from chalumeau to clarion was extremely smooth and the altissimo sounded great up to F#... the altissimo G wasn't amazing but I'm sure that's me.
The regular price is 1100 euros but they will give me a discounted price as it's the floor model (only for today and tomorrow). So what should I do? Get this instead of a Hanson model or a Ridenour?
Thanks for all of your valuable advice.
Michael
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2007-10-26 10:13
Michael,
A quick search revealed prices for E13 in UK:
850 GBP = 1250 Euros
759 GBP = 1086 Euros
673 GBP = 964 Euros
Of course, they'd be postage - sometimes a lot -on top.
Personally, for peace of mind, I'd be inclined to go for it. If you get a good sconto (I'm sure you know that everything in Italy is 'scontato') then it will work out very reasonable and you have the seller nearby.
--"the altissimo G wasn't amazing but I'm sure that's me." --
You mean it's possible to have a good altissimo G?? ;-)
Steve
PS Thanks to Mark for reminding me about the advertising rules. I have edited and removed all URLs to the places where I found the prices.
Post Edited (2007-10-26 11:06)
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Author: msboyd13
Date: 2007-10-27 14:58
I went back today and put a downpayment on the E13. I should have it by the end of next week so I will let you all know my impressions. A Hanson or Ridenour will have to wait til I get an A clarinet. Thanks to all for your comments and advice.
Michael
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Author: msboyd13
Date: 2007-10-31 18:04
Just wanted to inform all that I picked up my E13 today and it plays beautifully. I was told at the shop that it's best to break it in slowly, 15 min first day and adding 5 min per day after that switching between the new and old instrument. Do you all agree with this? I would be happier just playing the E13 instead of my Armstrong as you can imagine.
What other advice do you have for maintenance? I understand that I will have to treat this different from my plastic model. How do I keep the wood shiny, for example? I can't help but notice all of the finger prints...
Thanks again.
Michael
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Author: donald
Date: 2007-10-31 18:38
a very fine Pro Symphony player here in NZ (who studied in USA with Russel Dagon) has used an E13 as her one and only A clarinet for many years- these are/can be very good instruments.
dn
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2007-10-31 21:17
Michael it's allright to play it say like 15 min in the morning and then 15 min in the afternoon and then play 2x 30 min next week and 2X45 min the third week and 2x60 min the 4th week and then play it normally.
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Author: msboyd13
Date: 2007-11-01 13:56
What happens if I play it longer? I have to admit that I find it very difficult to put it down and take out the old clarinet.
Michael
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2007-11-01 18:44
Then it's more likely to crack. My teacher played his instrument just normally from begining and it has 3 long and visable cracks in the upper joint. It's specially important to play it in for longer time if you buy your instrument during the autum/vinter sesion. And I had one crack in the bell(probably the best play to get crack) of my instrument and it costed here in Iceland around 60$ to repair it.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2007-11-01 18:55
Iceland clarinet wrote:
> My teacher played his
> instrument just normally from begining and it has 3 long and
> visable cracks in the upper joint.
That's an anecdote, not any sort of proof.
While playing it for short times to "break it in" won't hurt the clarinet, I'm suspicious of the statement that playing the new clarinet for a long time will hurt it. Chucking that piece of wood on a lathe, cutting most of it away inside and out, drilling lots of holes close to each other, threading metal posts, putting thin-walled sockets in there, and generally abusing a hard piece of wood puts an incredible amount of trust in luck that the clarinet won't crack.
So, IMNSHO, playing the clarinet for short periods of time does no harm. Whether or not it's a necessary function isn't settled - but there's no harm, and it keeps people happy ...
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Author: GBK
Date: 2007-11-01 19:28
The other argument (and one which I tend to favor) is to just play a new clarinet normally with no "break in period" per se.
If the clarinet is going to crack within the 1st year, it might be better to know as soon as possible ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif) ...GBK
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2007-11-02 07:23
OK do it as you like but this cracks came within 6 months after he bought the clarinet. But remember crack repair isn't free.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2007-11-02 11:07
Iceland clarinet wrote:
> OK do it as you like but this cracks came within 6 months after
> he bought the clarinet. But remember crack repair isn't free.
6 months after he bought it crack repair is free ...
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2007-11-02 11:43
Not if you live in Iceland and have to send the clarinet abroad. Unless you have insurance for your instrument the postage is free and you will be without you clarinet for at least 2 weeks.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2007-11-02 11:47
Iceland clarinet wrote:
> Not if you live in Iceland and have to send the clarinet
> abroad.
Here in the US we return it to the dealer, who handles shipping it back to the factory. If you didn't buy from a local dealer - you're responsible for shipping it to the dealer.
But here, as in Iceland, the crack repair is free. The inconvenience remains the same. But your story, a sampling of one, is still just an anecdote.
You're ALWAYS out your clarinet when it's being repaired - no one can do much about that.
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