 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TonyKV622
Date: 2004-08-21 14:40
I am 44 years old and I played the clarinet when I was a kid till about 11 years old. My son was playing the clairnet and stopped and I decided to pick it up again. I am throughly enjoying it, but I want a better clarient. I have a student level resonite bundy. It is in fine shape and was recently overhauled. I am looking to find a reasonably priced wood clarient and have been searching around, espeically on Ebay. I have come accross several Selmer 100 and Selmer CL200 and 210, but I have not clue what is a better instrument. I want to spend about $200-300. There also seems to be a lot of the Buffet E11 as well as a few models of the Yamaha. Can anyone guide me in my decision?
Thanks,
Tony
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2004-08-21 14:51
The Leblanc Noblet is a great inexpensive upgrade. I have one and it has a nice key action and very nice tone. I have also played a Buffet E-11 and it played very nicely and gets a lot of good comments on the board.
Leonard
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Author: SGTClarinet_7
Date: 2004-08-21 21:22
I have found in my years of playing that Buffets are better. Yamaha is good for price, but IMHO, (and probably only mine) the quality of the yamaha's is not good at all. I would personally go for the E11.
Matthew
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2004-08-21 21:56
I have never played any of the models you mentioned, but if you can use a higher price as being indicating a better clarinet, the Buffet E-11 and the Yamaha YCL 34 tend to have slightly higher eBay prices, than the Selmers you mentioned. This could be due to popularity "being in" or band director preferences, rather than in actual playability or quality. Many consider the Buffet R-13 to be a good clarinet, and view the E-11 as a good choice if you think you may go to the R-13 eventually. Also some people (not me) think that similar clarinets are required in a section to blend properly. Using this approach if everyone else has Buffets, then you should have a Buffet.
Personally, I'm happy as a clam playing my 1955 Selmer Signet Special, so I wouldn't be afraid if the Selmers.
It's difficult to judge the condition by looking at pictures, so try to find one that can be returned if you are not satisfied, or buy one that you know needs pads, corks, etc. but factor that into the price.
John
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Author: John_May
Date: 2004-08-21 22:43
I've played a number of E11s for no better reason than they were in the shop and I had spare time, and they're generally quite excellent. I don't think I've ever played a better-sounding intermediate horn, and they're generally easy to play. I say generally because they vary, as with all wooden clarinets. In any case, I highly reccomend them, if you can get one for a reasonable price. They seem to be a tad on the pricey side on ebay, though; I regularly see them sell for $400+, which seems, to me, excessive.
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Author: TonyKV622
Date: 2004-08-24 01:10
Thanks guys for your help. I think I have it narrowed down to a Buffet. I'm off to my local music store to try one out.
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Author: OpusII
Date: 2004-08-24 20:21
TonyKV622,
Just think about the maximum amount of money that you wanted to spend on the clarinet, then go to the local music store and try al the models of all the brands under your price.... The one that you love most is what you have to buy!
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The Clarinet Pages
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... HAHA, maybe the Buffet E-11?