 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: zuzu
Date: 2004-04-24 13:36
and I could use advise on that age old question of 'which brand' to buy. I have a unique situation in which I live in the middle of nowhere, and the nearest large city (*over 30k) is about 6 hrs, so I will be purchasing without getting to try several brands out....Currently, I am playing on a student Yamaha 20 (for the last 35 yrs), so I am definately ready for a step-up (if not 'out') and a deeper tone. (I play with a local community band and we do alot of pay events, parades and concerts) The other clarinetists are playing a variety of brands, (with the fav being Selmer) . I've been told to 'retire' my current clarinet (except for parades) and get a wooden one. Soooo, any suggestions would be appreciated. Does anyone here play any of the Yamaha's? Thank you for your time.
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Author: hans
Date: 2004-04-24 14:01
Zuzu,
To narrow your search, I was wondering if the other clarinet players in your community band might let you try their instruments to see if there is a brand or model that produces "love at first try" for you, and also to rule out the brands and models that produce the opposite reaction.
You could also vist the major manufacturers' web sites to see if their product descriptions impress you favourably.
This site: http://clarinet.cc/ might have some useful guidance for you.
And, finally, you could rent the clarinet that you plan to buy for a few months to confirm that it is the right one for you.
Regards,
Hans
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-04-24 14:52
Unless you have your heart set on a new instrument, you'll save a fortune buying one that's used. Since you have been playing an older instrument for awhile, it's not too much of a stretch to consider one that has been rebuilt. Have a look to the classifieds here, to get an idea of the higher asking prices.
My personal favorite in the Yamaha line is the YCL-72.
It's built very well, has a nice scale and can be had for around $500 USD.
Selmer made several models over the years, and I believe the Series 9 was their best effort... but it's a larger bore instrument (unlike your YCL-20).
The Selmer Series 10, 10s and 10g were terrific instruments built on a smaller bore (like your Yamaha).
Try before buying - there's no substitute for play testing.
If you purchase by mail order, get a trial period in writing.
Consider any instrument purchased at online auction as needing service.
(Figure an overhaul into your actual purchase cost.)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-04-24 15:14
Why not consider a more recently manufactured Yam 20?
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Author: mw
Date: 2004-04-24 18:56
I'll 2nd the notion to buy a used professional instrument which is in excellent condition. Of course, if you want new, the Yamaha's are as fairly priced as any pro clarinet. AND, it seems like Yamaha "dumps" their remaining model year North American stock every year, so that bargains abound around July or August. In past years, some of the catalogue sellers (like Dennis Bamber's WW&BW) have bought the remaining stock. Seems like it was last summer that Prowinds of Bloomington, IN was selling the Yamaha SE for $1095 - pretty incredible pricing. Used Selmer, Buffet & Leblanc Pro instruments are always accessible at fair prices. Good luck.
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Author: Sigma2602
Date: 2004-04-24 20:30
But...a piece of advice...Take a tuner with you when you try any instrument in a store or a private party you don't know!
Let me tell you why: a few years ago I purchased a Buffet R-13 from a friend who wasn't interested in playing much after high school. She had bought it used from a music store, but it appeared to be in excellent condition. Unfortunately (and she would tell you the same) she was not the best of players but couldn't figure out why she was so out of tune on the instrument. When I tried it out, it had a decent tone quality and response (I'm a Leblanc Girl), although I knew that it was time for new pads and corks sometime later in the school year.
With several concerts coming up I couldn't worry too much with it because it was in relatively good shape and would last till summer...but the tuning problem still existed, even for me! I had to pull out joints that you normally wouldnt pull, such as the middle of the body and the bell--until all but the last bit of cork was showing! Figuring it was key heights, I made it through the spring semester and sent it off to the "good doctors" at Southeastern Music (it had also developed a small crack in the upper joint). Not more than two days later, they called me back with bad news...my bottom body joint was a quarter of an inch too short and that it has and will always cause resistance problems with the instrument.
Now imagine...if a quarter of an inch is |----| <--this long...what it did to my intonation! They lowered some key heights, but the only real solution was to send it back to the factory and get a new lower joint! Figuring that the warranty on a third(?)-owner horn was up, I have dealt with it the best I can, and I still have it today. Four more cracks have formed since then, but all I can do is pin or band them, oil the bore and go on.
Don't Let it happen to you!
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Author: Fred
Date: 2004-04-24 21:12
That last story is truly bizarre! I have to wonder how that could happen if it was indeed an R13. Did the serial numbers on the upper and lower joint match?
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2004-04-25 02:31
Hi Zuzu:
I don't recall who posted this on the clarinet BB a while ago, but it's still good advise when choosing a new clarinet, whichever brand that may be.
[ PLEASE just post the link! The "search" link above gave immediate reference to the article you wanted to refer to:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=41632&t=41584
The whole reason for the ability to search and add links is so we don't keep repeating ourselves unnecessarily. Mark C. ]
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-04-25 17:23
I second the opinion that the lower section wasn't the as-manufactured companion to the top joint. Maybe it wasn't even a Buffet section.
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Author: mw
Date: 2004-04-25 18:27
R-13's have matching serial numbers & have the (same) logo imprint on U/J & L/J. Seems very possible to ascertain what actually occurred. If turned out to be an issue of modification of the L/J, the story ends, its simply a caveat emptor situation.
Allowing that this might be a recently manufactured (say less than 10 years - if it's not best forget this), it would be worth a call or email to THE MUSIC GROUP as they might be willing to fix this problem gratis, or otherwise might be willing to "contribute" towards a "solution" via a contribution, ie swapping out the part for free - new lower joint.
I have sat with Francois Kloc on more than several occasions & Buffet Crampon knows very well what their OEM standards are & what constitutes a manufacturing defect - a mistake - everyone makes them. Buffet is good about listening & looking before pointing fingers.
I don't know anyone who routinely measures Clarinets (such as the R-13) or incorporates length, etc. measurements in "checkout" for work performed or upon the sale of new/used clarinets; that is, measurement is not a standard & is assumed to be uniform within a manufacturer's model.
... perhaps measurements should be added to the routine of all - checked to OEM specs as a normal procedure.
Good luck.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2004-04-25 19:05
My concern, of course, was that the UJ might be from, say, an R13 and the LJ from perhaps an RC or some other model. I suppose that sort of mixup could even occur at the factory with the clarinet still having matching serial numbers, but could also occur if a joint had been replaced. The multiple cracks reported certainly makes it possible that a joint may have been replaced prior to the current ownership.
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Author: mw
Date: 2004-04-25 19:23
Agree, any number of factors might contribute to the situation.
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