 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Allen Godin
Date: 2002-11-15 01:24
OK, I should warn you that I'm a Vermonter, and we're stubborn about wasting money. I read all the advice about buying new and only buying the "Top Four". I found a good auction that seemed honest and got the clarinet for $43.00 +S*H. It is older, but looks as though it's in good shape. The seller thinks it needs some cork grease to make it a good player again.
Should I buy a new mouthpiece? I will have the band teacher look it over when it arrives to tell me of any major problems. If it turns out that it isn't a B flat can that be changed with a couple new parts? I'm pretty sure it is a B flat, but it wasn't mentioned in the description. (Something that I'm sure went in my favor.)
I feel as though at the very worse I have a repair piece on my hands that should be worth the repairs, and if necessary can be sold for what I eventually put into it.
I just don't understand the theory that a "new used" instrument would be a better way recoup my money if she ends up not playing.
For all of those who read my earlier post the Band teacher did mention that there may be a school loaner available, but if everything goes completely sour with this deal I suppose I can always learn how to ply it myself. :-)
The Band teacher also thinks my daughter will have what it takes to master this instrument, and was very encouraging.
So, here's your chance. Tell me how to load this baby up so my daughter will be proud to play the clarinet.
Thanks again.
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Author: msroboto
Date: 2002-11-15 01:42
It is more than likely a Bb clarinet. In fact most definitely. There is no changing out a couple of parts to make it a Bb if it isn't.
You should buy a new mouthpiece. At this stage the best you can do is get some advice from the band teacher or private teacher on what they think would be good.
Let the band teacher assess the situation. There is nothing worse for a beginner than a clarinet that is in bad shape. You will want to get it into playable condition if it isn't already.
Good luck with your Bundy. I bought one off of ebay a couple of years ago and including repairs it cost me about $120.00. I did pay a bit more for mine so your milage may vary.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-11-15 01:43
At a minimum, make certain that the pads all seal well.
Quiet action will be appreciated in the wind section.
Worst case, a complete overhaul will pony up your total near $200... not bad for a clean Bundy.
The mouthpiece should be selected by your daughter, it's not a 'One size fits all' situation. If anyone near you has a selection, the Fobes Debut or Hite Premier are pretty well balanced for starters.
I also recommend the Legere synthetic reed for beginners (to limit the hassle of caring for natural cane in the dry Winter air).
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-11-15 01:45
I wouldn't do anything until the instrument arrives, Allen. Then I'd ask a band instrument technician to evaluate it rather than a band director. It may need a 'play condition' servicing, if only to make sure it's cleaned and oiled correctly. If it needs anything else they'll be able to take care of it. For $43 you probably did all right even if it costs something to put it in top shape. At the price you've paid so far you won't lose money on it as a trade-in.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-11-15 03:02
I agree with ron b 100%. Your only plan right now should be to show this marvel to a good repair technician. Other than that, wait to see exactly what you get. And with regard to the mouthpiece, I bought a very used Vito for 60 bucks through eBay a year or so ago, and there was a Vandoren B45 in the case. You never know.
Regards,
John
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Author: William Hughes
Date: 2002-11-15 03:35
I have learned a great deal on this board. One of the most important lessons has been that mouthpieces can make all the difference in the world. I have purchased three instruments on eBay. For my Bundy Contra-Alto I bought a new Selmer C* and had it refaced by Dave Speigelthal. For my Linton alto I bought a Hite mpc. For my Pedler "Hoosier" metal Bb, I bought a Pyne polycrystal. In each case, the "playability" of the instrument increased dramatically. Take your time, make the instrument function correctly (pads, action, etc.) and find the mouthpiece that fits your daughter.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2002-11-15 03:38
43 bucks -- cool! At the very least, you can take comfort in knowing you got a bargain. If it needs work, a Bundy can be put back into playing condition with usually only modest expense -- unless it was run over by a steamroller or something. You should know, however, most new mouthpieces will run you more than 43 bucks.
I'm taking you with me next time I haggle over a clarinet.
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2002-11-15 04:49
Our local music shop gets $175 for a playable used Bundy. The equivalent horn new goes for a bit over $300. You did quite well!
While it will never be mistaken for a pro instrument, a Bundy in good condition plays rather well and with a good mouthpiece has a decent enough sound. More importantly for school use, "it takes a lickin and keeps on tootin!" I've seen many of them bounce around marching bands over the years, they're as close to "bullet proof" as a clarinet gets.
Best of luck to your daughter, she's starting a great adventure that could give her pleasure for the rest of her life. I started in 6th grade in 1961, and though I did let it go for 18 years along the way, I've been back to playing for almost 12 years and play in a community band. I've also sung in choirs for 35 years, married a pianist and singer, and have a son who is a freshman clarinet major at West Chester Univ., all from a clarinet lesson back when JFK was president!
A word to the parent of a beginning clarinetist... There will be some sounds coming from that horn that will never be confused for music! The early efforts will sound something like a duck call mated to chalk screeching on the blackboard. When my son started, I quickly learned why my mom and dad got as far away as possible when I was practicing. Have patience, with time and practice it gets better, and then it gets really nice!
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-11-15 10:41
For a beginner you most certainly do NOT need to buy a variety of mouthpieces. Many ideal ones have been mentioned. Even the very cheap, basic Yamaha 4C would not be the limiting factor for a beginner for at least 2 years.
IMHO it is absurd to pay a lot for a mouthpiece for a beginner. It is like buying a Mercedes for your teenage child to go to the local supermarket.
The ones to really avoid are those moulded from a soft, cheesy plastic. If a manufacturer has resorted to this then everything about the mouthpiece will be scruffy.
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2002-11-15 14:38
First talk to your band director.(He might have been a clarinet player.)
Also, check the mouthpiece that comes with the clarinet. Sometimes you'll get lucky and find that a previous owner already upgraded.
Ask the band director if he wants to inspect the clarinet, or would he prefer that you take it to an instrument technician, and is there one he would recommend?.
If a "new" mouthpiece is in order, ask the director if there are specific ones he would recommend.
At this stage peer pressure is an issue. If everyone else in the group is using a Fobes "Debut" and your daughter has a clunky B45 (or vice versa) she will be more likely to lose interest.
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2002-11-15 15:17
Allen:
Where in Vermont are you? Who's the band director? I may be able to help with names of good techs in the area.
Matt (in Williston)
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Author: George L Smyth
Date: 2002-11-15 16:41
Regarding the mouthpiece, I'll just note that after a 30 year absence, I purchased a clarinet via eBay for around $75 or so. Having played one in high school, I knew my way around the horn, and quickly realized that the mouthpiece that came with it was junk. I paid about $25 for a decent one (after getting some tips lurking here) and it made things much easier for me.
Having someone who knows what they are doing look at it will be very helpful, and could well ease her ability to learn to play the instrument.
Cheers -
george
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Author: Vic
Date: 2002-11-15 17:13
All right, I'm going to go out on a limb here and hope that I don't get whipped for saying this. I've got 7 or 8 (I think) mouthpieces due to a severe case of equipment and reed obsession. In any case, I always go back to one of three mpcs - for jazz, my 5JB, and for other "stuff" - a B45 or, and this is where I'm afraid I'll get whipped - A Hite Premier. The Hite Premier is cheap and works extremely well for me, smooth and easy to blow, especially in the altiissimo. I'd invest in one of those before spending extra money on something else. It's pretty closed, so I use Vandoren V12 4s, or Grand Concert Evolution 4s. On the other hand, I realize that everyone is different and what works for one might not for another.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-11-15 21:54
* No reason to be embarrassed... it's the bowman, not the arrow *
The Hite Premier is well made, fairly easy to play and <gasp> cheap!
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Author: daybreakteacher
Date: 2002-11-16 01:44
I am a private clarinet teacher with 15 years experience. I recommend you take the instument to the local music store and ask them to check it out. Most stores will tell you what the instument needs for free. You can then decide if you want the work done. If you decide on a mew mouthpiece, I too recommend the premiere by Hite. My beginning students have always had a lot of success with it.
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Author: Willie
Date: 2002-11-16 06:08
Those old Bundys aren't that bad a horn when equiped with a decent mouthpiece. They are durable, made for students. It may well be posible that it will come with a good mouthpiece if you haven't recieved it yet. If it does, don't go and wash it in scalding water to dis infect it like most parents do. It will warp and be useless. Test the water as you would a baby's bottle on your wrist then wash it carefully with something very soft. If it doesn't play well get a good one from one of the many sponcers of this site. Pyne, Hite and Fobes all make a very good student mouthpiece that is hand faced (not done on mass production machine) and are very relialble. You can buy then direct at resnonable prices too (check sponcers tab). Whether or not she stays with it, try it yourself. Listening to good music is fun, but making it is even better.
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Author: Allen Godin
Date: 2002-11-19 23:52
Thanks again for all the helpful suggestions. I was thinking of using a warm water and clorox solution for cleaning and disinfecting the mouthpiece. Are there any other recommendations on this procedure?
Allen
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