 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2012-03-23 17:06
I'm looking to upgrade to an intermediate level clarinet. An on-line company that I've previously enjoyed working with offers 3 choices in my price range. I'd appreciate any feedback and/or recommendations you can give me regarding which one to purchase. The choices are: Buffet B12, Amati ACL 314, and Allora Vienna Series AACL-511. Thank you for any help/suggestions you're able to offer me.
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Author: Joe Bloke
Date: 2012-03-23 17:28
@Roxann
I note that the Leblanc Bliss and the Antigua Backun aren't on your list. If you're not familiar with these horns, I recommend the following info:
http://www.kesslermusic.com/blog/
Also, I haven't tried the Yamaha mid level horns but, I've read (on this board) some good things about them.
Lastly, we all have our personal favorites but, what works for one person won't always work for another so, make sure you can return/exchange the horn if ordering online and you can't try it out before buying. (And, leave some budget room for a good mouthpiece and ligature).
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2012-03-23 17:29
The Buffet B12 is not an intermediate clarinet, it is a plastic student model. I'm not sure about the Amati or the Allora as I've never played them but based on the prices I've seen for them I'll infer that your price range is ~$600-$800. If you are looking at new instruments that is going to restrict you to the good student models and the low-end intermediates. Honestly I don't think any intermediate clarinets are worth the added expense over the student models.
At your price range I would consider looking for a used professional clarinet instead.
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2012-03-23 17:46
Thank you for your help. You've given me more to think about. I had lunch with 3 orchestra teachers yesterday and they all discouraged me from buying a used clarinet. However, if the used clarinet comes from a reputable music store in town, I have to assume they most likely will stand behind it. It WOULD be nice to spend the same amount of money for a higher quality instrument.
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2012-03-23 17:49
Joe "Bloke"...you've given me some very helpful suggestions. I just printed off the link you suggested and I'll use it to help me make a decision. How do you feel about buying used clarinets from reputable music stores in town? I heard Eugene got about 9" of snow yesterday...hard to imagine!
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2012-03-23 18:11
All the famous makers provide some excellent clarinets, in many models and prices. But not all of their clarinets are ready to play well, and some may not be in tune with themselves. Thus, it is prudent to try as many as practical, of each model of each maker, in your price range, before buy. I have found Ridenour instruments to be amazingly consistent in acoustic qualities. Perhaps you might try them too.
richard smith
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Author: Joe Bloke
Date: 2012-03-23 18:14
@Roxann
Hey now, in the interest of accuracy, Eugene only got 7" of snow (but it sure looked like more).
In terms of used vs. new, I can't make up my mind. If I'm in a reputable music store and they've got a used horn that works for me, I'm good with it. Also, there's the break-in period to consider with new horns. In my experience, you gotta take it slow and give the wood a chance to settle in.
All said, I went from plastic bought on that big online auction site, to a used wood horn bought from a guy that rebuilds instruments, to a new intermediate wood. If I had it to do over again, I'd go right for a new or used Buffet R13 and be done with it. You can play the thing the rest of your life and, if you change you mind you've got something of value to sell.
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2012-03-23 18:44
Roxann wrote:
> Thank you for your help. You've given me more to think about.
> I had lunch with 3 orchestra teachers yesterday and they all
> discouraged me from buying a used clarinet. However, if the
> used clarinet comes from a reputable music store in town, I
> have to assume they most likely will stand behind it. It WOULD
> be nice to spend the same amount of money for a higher quality
> instrument.
There is often more risk involved with buying a used clarinet depending on where you buy from. If you buy off of an auction site with no return policy then there is a chance you could get stuck with a dud instrument or one that needs work before it will be playable.
If you buy from a repair tech or from a music shop you will usually be able to return the instrument if you don't like it so this would be a viable option and worth considering.
What exactly are you playing on now? Your budget is pretty low so if your current clarinet is in decent shape you may be better off investing in a nicer mouthpiece and holding off on purchasing a new clarinet.
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2012-03-23 22:36
I've already updated my mouthpiece...maybe not enough. I have a plastic student-grade Bundy and am playing again after a 42 hear hiatus. Our band is part of that nationwide movement to get old farts playing again...can't remember what the movement is called. I know I'll stick with it but really don't want to invest a boatload of money into a new clarinet. Maybe I should consider a used professional one, if I can find one in Boise. I'd stick with the clarinet I have, but I just can't play in tune without using a 3.5 reed and it is more than I can handle. What to do?
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2012-03-24 00:26
Roxann wrote:
> I know I'll stick with it but really don't want to
> invest a boatload of money into a new clarinet. Maybe I should
> consider a used professional one, if I can find one in Boise.
> I'd stick with the clarinet I have, but I just can't play in
> tune without using a 3.5 reed and it is more than I can handle.
> What to do?
I can understand that. As an amateur player myself I can't really justify dropping tons of cash on a new instrument either. The Bundy you have now is a pretty decent student instrument so the purchase of a newer student clarinet would likely just be a lateral move.
My advice would be to keep your eyes open for a used pro model. Another option if you don't mind having a hard rubber instrument and can stretch your budget a bit would be one of Tom Ridenour's clarinets for ~$960. http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/Bbclarpg.html
I'd also consider this clarinet being sold by Vytas Krass (who is a great repair tech and makes awesome mouthpieces by the way) if you can stretch you budget to $900: http://www1.webng.com/myclarinet/marigaux350.htm
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