 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2017-01-07 11:00
Hi everyone
I have a T147 which I am quite fond of. It is definitely the most enjoyable to play of all my clarinets. However my criticisms of it are that the keyword is clunky, and maybe the tone could be a bit more focussed (now this could be me or the clarinet!)
Today, the lovely Barry, allowed me to permanently Barry his Ridenour mouthpiece, which has centred the tone a fair bit.
But I am sure it needs a service, and potentially a repad.. (it squeaks a lot, and is slow to grab some interval leaps). So then the question is repad or trade in and upgrade.
But it is hard to find on the internet WHAT has improved over each model.
So comparing
T147
Arioso
Lyrique
Libertas
What is the actual improvements between the models? Or was it is so minimal, that a repad and adjust will leave my t147 sounding as focussed as Barry's lyrique?
Thanks in advance!
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2017-01-07 20:24
Nobody would know the answers better than the Ridenour folk! Give them a call, you'll find very friendly answers, and expert opinions.
With that said, I find my Ridenour Libertas, my A, and my C clarinets to be of exquisite quality, sturdy and accurate keywork, wonderful intonation, and I enjoy playing them very much!
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
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Author: bookron ★2017
Date: 2017-01-08 05:38
Talking to the Ridenours is a fine suggestion, certainly, but your decision will be further complicated because the models seem to have been tweaked throughout their production run. I have an early Arioso and a later one, and while they’re both fine instruments, they’re different.
And how does price differential affect your decision? I own the Libertas and love it, but I don’t know that it’s worth twice what the Ariosos cost (when they were new). Is buying second-hand an option? You can probably shop around and find an earlier Lyrique, then have it worked over, and still have about half of the price of a Libertas.
On the other hand, Tom Ridenour says that the Libertas is the clarinet he's always wanted to create, so he must have sound reasons for saying that, reasons that may only reveal themselves over the years.
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2017-01-09 01:27
Hi Sarah. Glad that you like the Ridenour Erocia mouthpiece. You are welcome to keep it indefinitely seeing that you are happy with it. Just remember that it's one of Tom Ridenour's 'professional' mouthpieces which means that it is designed for the higer resistance reeds as it has a close and shorter lay.
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2017-01-09 05:25
My nervousness in along me ridenour is that he has a vested interest in telling need that there is a larger difference depending on what you pay!
Money is an issue. But I would rather busk and raise money for an instrument that is perfect for me rather than the Amati which really wasn't for me at all...
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Author: richard smith
Date: 2017-01-09 19:24
I have owned many Ridenour clarinet models. His early TR147s , if adjusted and tuned by him, are excellent, and the equal of later models I owned. Try before buy.
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2017-01-09 19:52
If your biggest problem with the TR 147 is the keywork, you should definately try the newest Lyrique 576bc. It has the same playing characteristics as the TR 147 with the added advantage of being more even in resistance and a bit better in tune. The keywork, on the other hand, is vastly improved on the newest models and is very stiff and sturdy. Now you could go for the Libertas (I did personally) but if you enjoy how your 147 plays the 576bc will probably suit you better, not to mention it's significantly lower price.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2017-01-09 23:48
The tone on Barry's lyrique was more centred or focussed than my 147. The key work was clunky on both (compared to my buffet c clarinet, or even the Amati, which does have lovely keywork... It just is so heavy and hard to blow... Takes so much air, and I am puffed very quickly. Almost as hard as playing the oboe! Seriously... )
While money is an issue, I can busk.. So if I did really like the libertas... I could just save for it....
I have a few instruments on myself getting lonely (Maton guitar, viola, a few Suzuki violins needing repair, a flute or two...) I am going to start listing on eBay... Some I kept as rental instruments.. But students could just rent from other companies too.... So I might be able to raise money that way...
My fear is, I want to do my diploma and LRSM.. And I think the 147 mechanism might be a bit too clunky for that job? But I am not sure. The Amati let me down for the last two exams I did with it.... And I don't want that stress again!
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Author: bookron ★2017
Date: 2017-01-10 07:06
Based on your final comments above, I would recommend the Libertas. End your worries.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2017-01-11 23:25
Call them! Tom's a great guy!
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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