 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: dave
Date: 1999-04-12 18:52
I'm just beginning a search to purchase a new clarinet - to upgrade from a plastic student to a wooden intermediate model. I know the best approach is to play and get hands on , but the selection in the stores in my area is small. What kinds of things should I be looking for and what impact does bore size have on sound. I be interested in what manufacturers and models others consider to be the best value.
As for me, I'm in my forties, play in a church group weekly and recently started taking lessons to improve myself. I'm going to treat myself with this purchase (although my wife doesn't understand why my 1960's resonite bundy isn't good enough - don't get me wrong it has a decent sound- but I think I'm ready to step up!) Anyway, I want to research this purchase well since it will need to last the next forty years!
|
|
|
|
|
Author: Ginny
Date: 1999-04-12 19:39
I upgraded from a Bundy (wooden) to a Buffet Festival in January. I have just paid off the bill, but I don't regret it. Some will tell you 'its the player not the equipment', I could not have practiced enough hours on the old Bundy to make the immediate improvement I heard on the Festival, the tone alone was worth every penny.
I love my new clarinet, however there are many fine instruments out there. Also, the Buffets I played (quite a few) varied from each other significantly. So, go out to the shops and play a bunch of clarinets.
|
|
|
|
|
Author: ted
Date: 1999-04-12 20:41
...upgrade to intermediate. Depending on the amount of money you're willing to spend, I think a good used professional is a better buy than a new intermediate. (My opinion)
What kind of things should you look for? Play several instruments. Is the instrument in tune with itself? Can you produce the sound you desire with the instrument. It seems to be the majority opinion that professional models from Selmer, Leblanc or Buffet are all good choices, though some people certainly have their preferences.
How does bore size affect sound? It's difficult for me to describe sound, but large bore (around 15mm) instruments are suited for jazz and small bore (around 14.6mm) for orchestral or chamber.
|
|
|
|
|
Author: Hiroshi
Date: 1999-04-13 01:54
How about getting catalogues from:
Muncy Winds: TEL 1-800-333-6415
Or look at or get catalogue from woodwind and brasswind:
http://www.wwandbw.com/
Selmer does not like their discounted prices on the catalogues and should be asked by e-mail.
Also,you may refer to Buffet(Boosey&Hawks) or Selmer homepages.
http://www.ny.boosey.com/catalog/repertoire.html
http://www.selmer.com/htdox/clar4.htm
Or you can joint International Clarinet Association and get clarinets info there or ask them.
http://www.clarinet.org/
|
|
|
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-04-13 02:14
Hiroshi wrote:
-------------------------------
Or you can joint International Clarinet Association and get clarinets info there or ask them.
http://www.clarinet.org/
-----
I'm the webmaster of the ICA site. The ICA won't provide any specific information on any manufacturer.
|
|
|
|
|
Author: paul
Date: 1999-04-13 02:36
Itoo am in my forties and just resumed playing after a 14 year hiatus. Prior to that I had been playing 6 years. First clarinet- Bundy plastic, used. 2nd was a Selmer 9G,used.(had this for two years) I found a 1990 . 3rd was a Buffet R13,new,(considered a pro horn) Sold it after a few years of non use-wish I hadnt. When I recently started looking for a horn I was dissappointed in the intermediate models costing $500 to $800. I found a used 1990 Buffet for $1200. It was more than I had planned to spend , but it is so much better than the intermediate horns and I can grow with it. I hope you believe you will grow out of an intermediate horn over the next 30-40 years.
|
|
|
|
|
Author: Hiroshi
Date: 1999-04-13 04:27
Mark:I meant that by joining ICA we can obtain "The Clarinet" magazine,where we can obtain info of Ripamonti or other manufacturers' info from their ads. I should have described like this.Sorry.I understand ICA does not favour any specific manufacturer.
|
|
|
|
|
Author: Roger Harvey
Date: 1999-04-13 13:13
For about $1200 you could get a new Leblanc Infinite - a professional clarinet, and a delight to play. I upgraded to one in January, and I enjoy it more and more each day. Alternatively there's the Leblanc Sonata - similar acoustically, and would cost around $1,000. Both great instruments.
Good luck!
|
|
|
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 1999-04-13 18:19
dave wrote:
-------------------------------
I'm just beginning a search to purchase a new clarinet - to upgrade from a plastic student to a wooden intermediate model. * * * I want to research this purchase well since it will need to last the next forty years!
Dave -
You have given yourself the answer. Spread the cost of even the most expensive instrument out over 40 years and the daily cost is invisible. Once you've paid for an instrument, you never miss the money. The further cost is nearly zero, and yet you get a charge every time you open the case, knowing how good it's going to be to play on a professional quality horn.
So -- get the best instrument you can find, even if it hurts to pay the price. On a long term investment, it never pays to compromise. It hurts only once to buy, but you get pleasure every day for the rest of your life. Go cheap on the initial cost, and you kick yourself every day.
As to what to get, go with the best makers -- Buffet, Leblanc, Selmer and Yamaha. Accept no substitutes.
If you decide to buy a used instrument, the Buffet R-13 is the easiest to find. It's been around for years, and on average is better than all but the most recent models by the other makers. A used Buffet R-13 goes for around $1,000. An equivalent Leblanc, Selmer or Yamaha will be a bit less.
Once you find a used instrument (or even if you go to pick out a new one), pay a professional player a few bucks to come along and make sure it's decent.
Then get a handmade mouthpiece, which once again pays for itself over and over each time you play on it.
Let us know how the search comes out.
Ken Shaw
|
|
|
|
|
Author: paul
Date: 1999-04-13 22:11
I'm the usual "paul" on this BBS, if the other paul wants to call himself paul2 or something like it, that's fine. I just don't want folks to get confused, that's all.
Okay, now down to business. I echo Ken Shaw's comments about perhaps looking at pro-grade horns if at all possible. If you are looking at a 4 decade investment, then the initial pain of paying top dollar for a pro-grade horn won't seem so bad. My wife let me have a very good premium pro-grade horn (the same brand and model as Ginny's above) for the apparently very good price of $2048 (instead of the typical retail price of about $3500). If you can find a LeBlanc pro-grade horn that makes you happy for half that, then by all means, go for it.
Whatever you do, don't let the fact that you are in a small town or rural environment limit your shopping experience. There are plenty of mail order houses that you can contact that would be elated to let you check out a few horns to see if you like one over the other. Please check out their policy on this before you make any committment, of course. For instance, there may be a severe limit on returning mouthpieces and reeds, etc. By all means, ask questions, challenge the answers you get, and be a tough shopper. Believe me, doing all the homework you can will definitely pay off in the near term with a decent bargain and in the far term with being geniunely happy with your investment over the years.
|
|
|
|
|
Author: J Butler
Date: 1999-04-14 03:11
I agree with Ken also. Over the years a professional instrument will only appreciate in value, both monetarily and musically. Too bad that there aren't any resources for getting good quality used instruments in your area. I own several clarinets, but the one I love the most is an old Selmer Centered Tone that I bought second hand and overhauled. I only paid $400 bucks for the thing, but I would give up my old R-13 if I had to make a choice between the two, and I've had that R-13 since 1972!
|
|
|
|
|
Author: dave
Date: 1999-04-14 20:28
Thanks to all for your advice. I'm going to take my time and savor the search. The advice to look for a pro model makes sense when you break down the cost over time. After all, this will probably be the last clarinet I purchase. I'll let you know what I end up with
|
|
|
|
|
Author: John Cole
Date: 1999-04-15 23:47
I played a buffet bought new in 1948 for $167. The biggest help was a Vandoren B45 mouthpiece. 8 yrs ago.
I bought a beautiful set of A & Bb LeBlanc Symphonie IV for $1000 via the internet. (I drove to Ohio and tried them.
I have an old Normandy which I almost like better than Buffet. In the end ou have to try and see what fits you hands. I thin LeBlanc has better keywork for me-- I had to modify my Buffet to avoid opening keys at unwanted moments- With a good mpc ,good air support and embouchure I can make almost any clarinet sound good. (not necessarily in tune). (Though I one tried an old Conn-- so stuffy I thought it had a swab inside of it. ) Clarinets do vary within the identical model, so try many. Drive to a store that let's you try lots. WW& BW in South Bend IN, will keep bringing you new ones to try until they close the shop. They're great!
|
|
|
|
|
Author: CeCe Hardisty
Date: 1999-04-19 20:22
I happen to have a terrific clarinet for sale. I bought it two years ago, and only used it for less than six months. Its a jupiter, wooden (of course), and in excellent condition. It really plays well, and I think you might be interested. Im asking for $500 plus shipping. If you were to purchase a new intermediate clarinet of the same quality it would run about $1,000 or more. I am going to college, and my family can not maintain all my belongings while I am away. Feel free to contact me if you are interested or with any other questions.
|
|
|
|
|
Author: Mark Charette, Webmaster
Date: 1999-04-19 20:29
CeCe Hardisty wrote:
-------------------------------
[clarinet for sale]
Please use the Classifieds for selling instruments. All are welcome there, both non-commercial and commercial. It's free.
|
|
|
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 1999-04-20 01:42
You should take your clarinet to college with you and play in the bands. Many colleges (especially ones that are not music schools) do not require you to be a music major to be in their bands.
Playing music is a great way to cope with the stress generated by the demands of college life.
|
|
|
|
|
Author: paul
Date: 1999-04-20 19:35
Dee has another precious pearl of wisdom about the clarinet and life. No kidding.
If only I had taken my beat up piece of junk clarinet with me to college, perhaps I wouldn't have been as stressed out. As it is, practicing music on the clarinet for me is a big stress reliever today. I may never get to be very good at it, but perhaps that's not the point. The main point is to find something that you enjoy doing as a hobby, as a distraction from "real life", as a passion, as a distraction, and possibly as a way to maintain a balanced social life while at school. I personally believe that playing music on the clarinet is a very good choice for all of the above.
|
|
|
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
