 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ElizabethMH
Date: 2025-03-31 20:17
Because when I travel to the US to visit family (usually summer and around Christmas) I'm reluctant to bring my R13. I have a student Yamaha, but I've never really got on with it - holes seem too big for my fingers. So I'm thinking of buying a new student model.
I started playing clarinet on a Vito Reso-Tone 3 and I loved that clarinet - always got complimented on my tone (at least that!). And I would have still played it but when I went to check it out at my family home a couple of winters ago, I found that the barrel and the upper tube had broken! On another forum I was told that there was a bad batch of them at one time. Now I know that you might say - there are so many on eBay - just get one of those, but I'm in the UK, and there are fewer available. Plus in the words of Tom Wolfe, you can never go home again - I think I'd like new.
So, I'm thinking I might get the Leblanc Spirito, as one marketing video said it was closest to the Vito. It is however, more expensive than a Buffet Prodige. Expense is not really a major issue but I'd like to spend wisely.
Anyone with experience of it? Do you think I would like it?
(I know there is a thread on here about the Leblanc student clarinets - which doesn't say much expect that there are very much Leblancs).
I suppose in a nut shell I'm asking Spirito v. Prodige.
Elizabeth
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-03-31 21:10
I wouldn't recommend the Prodige from what I've seen of them. If the new Leblanc student clarinets are built like Vitos, then they'll have the strongest keywork. Also consider a plastic Yamaha as they have to pass Yamaha's more stringent quality control compared to their counterparts from other makers.
Although it has to be said, all brand new entry level plastic clarinets (as well as many pro level clarinets) can always do with being fully and professionally serviced from the word go as many only scrape through quality control, so have all the key corks replaced with far better materials appropriate for their function and locations if you want a reliable clarinet.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2025-03-31 22:29
ElizabethMH wrote:
> I started playing clarinet on a Vito Reso-Tone 3 and I loved
> that clarinet - always got complimented on my tone (at least
> that!). And I would have still played it but when I went to
> check it out at my family home a couple of winters ago, I found
> that the barrel and the upper tube had broken!
What do you mean by this? Was the tenon stuck in the barrel socket and broken off? What does "broken" mean in this instance?
Chris,
It sounds as if Elizabeth has decided to go new in any case, but what would it cost to replace a tenon on one of these clarinets, if indeed the tenon is what's broken? I assume a barrel can be found on EBay or similar site.
Karl
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-04-01 00:55
It's probably better to look for a donor top joint as that'll be less costly than doing a tenon graft from scratch, or a donor top joint with a broken middle tenon where the top tenon can be taken from it as the top tenon graft will need the reverse tapered bore.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2025-04-01 05:21
You're in the U.K., you may want to check out the offerings from Les Craven and his website The Clarinet Company.
https://www.theclarinetcompany.com/
You'll have a choice of wood or hard rubber instruments. Les Craven was a U.K. distributor for Ridenour's line of clarinets, so it makes sense that he'd develop his own line with his own touches.
It's at least worth a look.
Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Vandoren BD5 HD 13-series mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum Silver ligature (plate 1)
Vandoren #4 Blue-box reeds
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2025-04-01 18:59
any noblet or normandy or selmer signet -all execellent student clarinets all at low prices
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Author: ElizabethMH
Date: 2025-04-01 20:17
I'm sorry - I give up on posting a photo of my broken upper joint. It is literally broken in two. The barrel is broken also in two, more at the top. The Reso Tone didn't hold up. The clarinet was kept in a closet for years with no changes in heat or cold.
But thank you for the suggestions for other clarinets, which I will explore.
Best wishes,
Elizabeth
Elizabeth
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