 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Michael
Date: 2003-08-28 05:09
I am in the process of looking for a C clarinet and was wondering which professional models (if any) are at the top of the list as far as quality, and which distributors, if any, would have the best chance of having these models in stock. Any help would be appreicated and thanks!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2003-08-28 12:52
This has been discussed here in several threads, as well as on the Ethnic Clarinet forum.
Production instruments are in order of personal preference Patricola, Leblanc, and Buffet.
Amati also makes a C, but I don't know anything about them.
Brad Wong at Western Michigan University has a Patricola C and said he likes it. I played on one a few weeks ago, and albeit an earlier model it played pretty well. It was a rosewood model; I would probably get grenadilla instead.
Several large venders with web presences sell them, including sponsors of this board. You won't get Leblanc or Buffet prices except via e-mail.
Stephen Fox in Toronto makes them; he is a sponsor of this site. If you live in the States, after currency exchange, a custom instrument will not set you back as much as you might expect. You will, however, want to go to Toronto for delivery, and again for adjustments if they seem desireable after playing the instrument for a couple of months. I have one of his C's and like it a lot. If this is within your budget, and especially if you find yourself in Toronto, give him a buzz. He has also been at the ICA conventions. If you go this route, I would recommend geting his throat b-flat mechanism. Also, if you play Klezmer, consider getting a low D.
Several production instruments have troubles with intonation in the altissimor range, starting with D above the staff. This problem is common with instruments pitched above B-flat. Whatever you do, use your mouthpiece and reed setup and test instruments before you make your decision.
Regards
|-(8^)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-08-28 12:54
My experience with the C clarinet has been a total dissapointment...I prefer the Bb clarinet way over it, and on top of this Buffet C models are really pricey....Best of Luck.
Ps. Let us know what you purchase.
David Dow
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Fred
Date: 2003-08-28 13:05
The Buffet E-11 has a good reputation, especially at its price point. Granted, it's not a "pro" model, but is probably adequate (especially considering the $$) for most players - even those playing professionally.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2003-08-28 14:27
I own a Buffet C E11 model clarinet and am completely satisfied with it's performance (or non-performance, considering how many times it is needed in my symphonic playing). It was selected from a lot of five, and I think I lucked out and chose the best one. The Chadash barrel seems to help a bit, but the stock does well also. Intonation in the E4 to A4 range is a bit of a challenge, but the instrument is flexabile enought to be "played" in tune. What I like best about it is the tone quality--kind of a "baritone effer", resonate, but with an "edge". It's fun to play--just wish more of the music we play called for it. Considering a $$/play equation, the E11 can't be beat!! (IMHO, that is)
(have not played the Patricola model, but have also heard good reports)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2003-08-28 14:35
I've had good results with the Patricola C clarinet (grenadilla wood). I purchased mine about a year ago from IMS. I provided Lisa with a list of things to look for and asked her to play-test the Patricola C clarinets in stock. The one I received is fantastic. Intonation is quite good and its tonal qualities are exceptionally warm and rich.
One thing I did was to have Steve Fowler (Baltimore woodwind tech) do some custom work on my Patricola C. He found several things that could be improved upon. As a result, he made it an even better instrument. I'm very happy with it.
If you are serious about a C clarinet please see the messages I've posted on the forum about C vs Bb mouthpieces. It's been my experience that some problems people have with the C clarinet are due to using the wrong type of mouthpiece. Simply put, C and Bb clarinets are different instruments with respect to their internal acoustic measurements and tone. Thus, a mouthpiece that plays beautifully on a Bb clarinet MAY not work as well on a C clarinet. This is something to be aware of
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2003-08-28 15:03
Roger--regarding the mpc issue, could you be more specific as to which/whose models you have found that work best on your C clarinet??
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2003-08-28 16:05
William... I'll quickly jump in...
What Roger noted above, I feel is quite correct.
I have a Buffet R-13 C clarinet 282xxx (1986) and found that the choice of mouthpiece makes a huge difference. (duh..)
After trying every Bb mouthpiece in my arsenal on the C clarinet with moderately good results, I still was not totally pleased. Thus, I decided to call Ralph Morgan and have a specific C clarinet mouthpiece made for me. The resulting mouthpiece vastly improved the C clarinet in both tuning (mainly what I was after) and response.
Not being thoroughly versed on the acoustical reasons (internal bore? chamber volume? etc...) why it works, I will simply say that it does.
Perhaps, I just happened to get a particularly great mouthpiece which met my needs or perhaps I just never found the correct Bb mouthpiece which matched the C clarinet, I will never know.
However, I feel you have little to lose by at least trying the option of a getting a dedicated C clarinet mouthpiece... GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: javier garcia m
Date: 2003-08-28 16:35
I've just bougth a C buffet E11 on friday, I've tested two ones, one new and one used. The instrument is very flexible, with good sound (I used my Vandoren B45 to test) Throat G is a little flat but there is no problem to correct it and play in tune. High register is flat also, but the instrument allows you to play in tune even as high as E6. F6 is very very flat with standard position, but T xxxC#/xxx plays excellent in tune. no problems with high G. I think it is an excelent choice taking in account the price, and the times you really needs it. I've bougth it for 900, and a professional one go up to 2K (maybe patricola is a little less than 2K).
Now, I need the time to play it a little...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2003-08-28 16:48
William,
Sure! I started out using a Buffet E-11 C clarint like you described in your message. For a period of several months I tried several Bb clarinet mouthpieces. Intonation was typically problematic as was my sound in the throat tones. It seemed to me that I could do better on the instrument.
So, I called Ralph Morgan and had a long talk with him about the C clarinet. He described to me how C and Bb clarinets need to be considered as different instruments -- not simply thinking of the C clarinet as a Bb clarinet that's in C. Ralph sent me one of his mouthpieces that's specifically designed for a C clarinet. They can be ordered from Ralph as a special order. When I tried it on the E-11 improvements were immediately noticable. In fact, it played like a different instrument. Intonation was much better and the throat tones were clear as a bell. Besides that, I really loved the overall quality of sound and response with the Morgan mouthpiece.
My experience with a Patricola C clarinet was different. Before I purchased the instrument I contacted the Patricola company in Italy and asked them about mouthpieces. They said their C clarinet was designed for Bb mouthpieces. When I told Ralph Morgan that he said it was possible from an instrument design standpoint. However, he expressed concern over how this might change the instrument's core tonal color.
When I got my Patricola C clarinet I first used a Morgan C clarinet mouthpiece and was disappointed. There were intonation problems and I wasn't happy with the sound. I then switched to a Morgan Bb mouthpiece and all was well -- excellent intonation and a fantastic sound. I called Ralph, told him about it, and we shared a good laugh.
To my ears, a Morgan Bb mouthpiece sounds fine on a Patricola C clarinet. The C clarinet has a brighter tonal color than my Bb clarinet. But, not as bright as a Eb. Thus, I understand Ralph's comments about the C clarinet being a different instrument.
I no longer have the E-11. So, I'm not in a position to compare the sound of a Morgan C mouthpiece on a E-11 with a Morgan Bb mouthpiece on a Patricola. Such a side-by-side comparison would be interesting!
Hope this helps in some way
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: diz
Date: 2003-08-29 03:10
I personally don't like the sound of the C clarinet ... I just find it somewhat lacking. However, if I were playing in an opera orchestra (for example) I'd certainly own one and own the best I could afford ... Verdi wrote a heap of C clarinet parts (especially in his early to middle period operas), as did Meyerbeer, Rossini and others from that Romantic era.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Michael
Date: 2003-08-29 06:50
Thanks for the info everyone who posted! Yes, I do play in an opera orchestra and am having my first crack at Verdi's Macbeth in a month. Normally I would just transpose, however the clarinet part is a real bear to say the least, and a colleague of mine in another opera orchestra advised strongly against even attempting the transposition and instead to invest the time choosing a good C clarinet.
Responses seem to indicate that Buffet and Amati are the way to go, and I take it IMS is the place to look? Any more suggestions regarding retailers are most welcome and thanks again!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Alphie
Date: 2003-08-29 21:49
According to some reports from the Buffet factory they are working on a new C clarinet model. This has not been confirmed yet but on a request from a colleague of mine who was there recently they gave a positive answer. A friend of mine working in Paris who has made research on C clarinet and has measured 100s of older instruments was contacted by a constructor from Buffet in this matter.
We are going to get new C clarinets for the orchestra and decided to wait for further information from the factory.
The new instrument is going to be a more "proper" C clarinet with more carefully worked out measurments concerning bore size and tone holes and not a "cut off" Bb as most French style instruments in fact are. Probably even with a special C clar. MP.
German C clarinets have always been "real" C clarinets with measurements suitable for it's size and it's about time the Böhm system manufacturers are going the same way. I'm curious about the result and if I hear anything more I will report.
Alphie
Post Edited (2003-08-29 21:51)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-08-30 17:33
Micahel, be sure to check "Graham's Music" for the Amati's.
Bob A
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2003-08-30 18:43
The Amati clarinet have gotten several favorable reviews from bulletin board members (yours truly, a Buffet player, included).
Read some of the past postings on Amati, and certainly at least give them a try.
Even though they are not one of the "Big 4", their instruments represent an exceptional value for the price.
Graham (of Graham's Music - a sponsor) will certainly go the extra mile to make sure you are truly satisfied.
Not all production line instruments have to come from France, Japan or the USA ...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Garret
Date: 2003-08-31 03:24
anyone tried the Buffet Prestige C or LeBlanc? Just curious. Have been thinking about them as options too, but of course they are pricey for the amount of playing they'd be doing
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
