 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: MSK
Date: 2015-08-09 20:45
I've recently seen the Ridenour Speranza on the Ridenour (BillyBoy) page of the auction site, but it is not on the main Ridenour website. I assume that it is the student model (perhaps similar to the 146 or 147?), but wonder how it compares to other student model clarinets and to the higher priced/ professional Ridenour Lyrique 576.
Specifically, how much of a step down from the Ridenour Lyrique 576? Also, how does it compare to the less expensive student clarinets such as Yamaha 250, Vito, Buffet B12. Would it be a step up from them, or about the same?
Thanks
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Author: GLHopkins
Date: 2015-08-10 00:37
If, as the ad reads, he hand tunes these clarinets I'd suggest that they are as good as his 576. There is a member on here that has one, and maybe he will give his two cents worth on the instrument.
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2015-08-10 03:54
Some of the older Ridenour instruments were a bit lacking in the keywork department, although they tuned very well and produced a great sound. I don't know anything about this particular model though.
Anders
Post Edited (2015-08-12 08:01)
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-08-12 06:41
I just dug out my 576BC and compared its keywork details to the Speranza listing on a leading Internet auction site. They are, from what I was able to compare, identical. The back of the Speranza wasn't pictured, so I wasn't able to compare the register key profile and thumb rest details.
Ridenour did make a 576B and 576BC; the BC had a revised bore compared to the B. It's possible that the Speranza has either the B or BC bore configuration or something entirely unique to the Speranza model.
The Speranza would represent a step up from the Yamaha YCL-250/255, and a big step up from the Vito 7212/7214/7242 and Buffet B12. These Yamaha, Vito, and Buffet models are also handily outperformed by the Backun Alpha.
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2015-08-12 08:07
It wasn't the shape or design that was the issue. It was that the metal wasn't as solid and bent more easily than it should of. It would be hard to be able to see that in a picture. As his relationships with his suppliers developed he was able to have more success in getting his specific requirements met in terms of materials. At least this is how it was told to me.
I have personally seen a big improvement between instruments he sent me a few years ago and ones that I've gotten recently. Now I own and play them very happily myself. A few years ago I would only recommend them to students with a few clearly stated caveats. I'm very happy with the current offerings.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-08-12 09:03
Nellsonic...the point of my post was that the Speranza is, based on my examination of the keywork, a derivative of the professional 576B/BC and not the student 146.
But you do bring up a good point regarding the quality of the keywork, which indeed cannot be gauged by the photographs. My 2010-vintage 576BC has soft keywork and that is why I don't take it out on jobs anymore--I've been stuck out on the job with an unplayable instrument because of it. If the Speranza has keywork assemblies incorporating old, soft Lyrique and/or Arioso parts, that would be a cause for major concern.
Post Edited (2015-08-12 09:16)
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2015-08-12 20:57
It must be heck to try to name new clarinet models.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-08-12 21:42
Indeed, Stan. Maybe the next model will be called the "Asti Spumante".
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Author: Joseph Brenner, Jr.
Date: 2015-08-12 23:25
Perhaps the manufacturers should look to the practice of some automobile manufacturers that use strictly alpha-numeric model names.
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