 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Wiggy94
Date: 2015-01-04 02:28
Hello,
I am looking to upgrade my clarinet from a Hanson SE to a professional model hopefully after my Grade 8. My budget would have to be a maximum of £3000 but ideally less. The options available at this price point are vast but my local deal mainly stocks Buffet, Yamaha, Selmer and then there is Hanson's trial scheme.
I would be planning to work toward a diploma and so what would be suggested at this price point? My main concern with Buffet as the quality control seems to receive such mixed reviews but at the same time many people say with proper set up by a technician they are of a consistent quality.
Generally just trying to start getting some understanding so I'm not baffled by the sales staff as helpful as they are.
Any help and advice would be great thank you!
Regards,
Ed
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2015-01-04 03:09
One of the best ways for a student with a limited budget to get the biggest "bang for the buck" is to check with a good repair person, ideally one who does repair work for a lot of professional players. Often, a player who is looking for a new instrument will sell the one he's been using. Repair shops will often take these instruments on consignment to sell for a regular repair customer. You can get a really good instrument at a much lower cost than a new clarinet of the same make and model.
Karl
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-01-04 03:13
Q1: Ed..you are working for a diploma in a music or on a non music degree? I am assuming from your handle that you are 20 years of age (wiggy94).
From what little I admit to understand of UK musical rankings:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=142829&t=142810
grade 8, I am guessing is the highest.....prior to college??? You tell me.
I ask all this mindful of whether an "A" clarinet is also in your future and if you/we need to budget your Bb purchase in anticipation of an "A" clarinet purchase as well.
This by no means runs in conflict to Karl's smart advice. If anything, it endorses it.
Cheers.
Post Edited (2015-01-04 03:19)
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Author: Wiggy94
Date: 2015-01-04 03:25
Yes I'm already in University studying Medicine. In UK with the ABRSM graded exams 1-8 then they have diplomas after that, not a university diploma.
http://us.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/diplomas/music-performance/
Easiest to have a look on there to get a better idea.
The A & Bb is something I had thought about in particular for orchestral work, transposing only gets you so far and so it is inevitable that I will have to get one. So should i settle now in my budget and get a pair or solely the best Bb i can afford?
Its a big outlay obviously and not something I want to second guess after.
Any thought on the Hanson T6 http://hansonmusic.co.uk/shop/shop/clarinets/t6/ would make a pair affordable with part exchange my student model...
Post Edited (2015-01-04 03:51)
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2015-01-04 04:51
Edward, a good used instrument can be a much better value (and musical) buy than a new one.
For under £3000 you should be able to find a suitable pair of A & Bb in the UK.
Buffet are of course popular but don't discount other brands too.
I know a lot of people disregard Leblanc but I have used them for 50 years and am very happy with them and of course they usually sell for lower prices since not being "fashionable"
If you care to contact me off-line to discuss various options you can find my email on the UK NAMIR website (I am in Winchester)
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Author: BbMajorBoy
Date: 2015-01-04 05:33
May I recommend the new Selmer Seles.
I tried a few out recently and they were all very exquisite clarinets; excellent tuning withouhg compromise on tonal flexibility. If you're ever in/around London, give Howarths a call.
I saw recently a pair of Selmer Signatures at Dawkes in Maidenhead for just under £3,000 but I doubt they'd still be there as they looked to be in very good condition. You may be lucky and find a pair for your budget.
Also, keep looking in eBay. You can find some old pairs in need of overhaul but they really are great value for money. I saw a Leblanc professional pair going for £500 recently. Make sure you inspect these instruments first if possible.
Leonard Bernstein: "To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time."
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2015-01-04 06:51
clarinetsdirect.biz/ is in England and carries top quality used instruments. I was extremely pleased with the instrument I bought from them. They were a pleasure to work with. You just have to keep looking on their site as additional used items are added on a regular basis.
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Author: tiagocunha
Date: 2015-01-04 19:34
1 vote more to clarinets direct, their stock is amazing and I'm seriously considering to buy my next clarinet through them.
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Author: Wiggy94
Date: 2015-01-05 01:11
Thanks for the advice so far.
I was just wondering what peoples thoughts were on the Hanson T6 series clarinets as they present a promising alternative to the standard Buffet etc
In particular the degree of customisation they offer and the trial packs!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-01-05 03:14
I don't know if Hanson has really made it to the "States" yet, so most of us may not have seen one (I am not familiar with the brand at all).
However, another VERY competitive clarinet to watch for is the Uebel Preference. It comes standard with very thickly silver plated keys, white leather pads and a 'crazy wonderful' response at a great price (at least here in the States).
http://www.uebelusa.com/#!bb-clarinets/c1tgq
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: BbMajorBoy
Date: 2015-01-05 03:15
My only experience with Hanson was negative; I was buying their intermediate model and they sent me a few to try out, I took them all to my teacher and she (a professional player) and I played them and we both thought they were very out of tune. We got a tuner out and did a few scales and all three instruments that they sent me were not in tune with themselves from note to note. This may have been a bad batch but I doubt it. Also, the tone holes were rough and the bore seemed to be a bit rough.
All this being said, Alastair was amazing with refunding and trying to help out in any way he could. I would call them to see what they have in stock that is not their brand. I believe they trade in instruments.
Leonard Bernstein: "To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time."
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