 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Rob35
Date: 2014-10-20 16:16
Does anyone know how to tell if an Armstrong clarinet is a Model 4001? Does being that model effect its worth? Thanks
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-10-20 16:33
What is the body made from?
The 4001 is plastic (with a wood grain finish) and the 4008 is wood.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2014-10-20 17:16)
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Author: Rob35
Date: 2014-10-20 17:32
I also have a Selmer CL301A Clarinet in very good to excellent shape. Would you happen to know the ballpark value of it by chance? It has original Fobes Debut mouthpiece if that makes a difference.
Thanks,
Rob
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-10-20 18:16
Assuming you're in the USA, a Selmer 301A in good to excellent condition that plays well should fetch between $75 and $175.
This model, unfortunately, lacks modern polycylindrical bore technology. It will almost certainly decline in value as time goes on.
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Author: Rob35
Date: 2014-10-20 18:27
Thank you so much. You have been very very helpful.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-10-24 16:59
Sorry Rob, the 4008 is also a plastic clarinet and essentially the same instrument as the 4001 - it's just the accessories that were supplied with them that determined the model numbers.
I just found a load of literature on Armstrong and Artley clarinets and the only difference between the 4001 and 4008 was the mouthpiece and case they were supplied with - the 4001 came with an H. Couf Special mouthpiece and moulded plastic case and the 4008 came with a Vandoren B45 mouthpiece and wooden case, but the clarinets themselves were identical apart from the model number.
Pretty stupid if you ask me - why would a different mouthpiece and case demand a different model number for the same instrument? Mouthpieces and cases aren't the things that determine a specific model number stamped on an otherwise identical instrument as both mouthpieces and cases are likely to be changed anyway.
Same applies to the Artley 17S and 28S (which are the same instrument as the Armstrong 4001 and 4008) - the 17S has a plastic UMI mouthpiece and plastic case whereas the 28S has an ebonite Artley mouthpiece and wooden case.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: craftymummy9
Date: 2016-02-13 16:40
Been to a music shop today and tried an Armstrong wooden clarinet apparently been at the back of the store room for many years but a new not used clarinet
4028 any advice on this model would be great
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2016-02-14 01:21
I don't think the armstrongs are worth much. But i think they are a great student instrument! very robust, and nice tone (for the money). I haven't played a student instrument yet that i thought sounded "better", that is with my vandoren mouth piece switching between clarinets. The armstrong mouthpiece was pretty dodgy i felt. (except... the ridenour 147 actually... i did think that had a nicer tone...)
you wouldn't buy an armstrong to sell for a profit
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Author: craftymummy9
Date: 2016-02-14 05:34
Thanks for your input
Not buying to make a profit just trying to get a good first wooden clarinet that doesn't break the bank,
Here in Australia I feel all clarinets in the wooden intermediate section are costly more than other parts of the world, this Armstrong 4028 was offered to me at almost 40% lower than the Buffet E11 which was supposed to be relatively equal,
Not wanting to buy just for the price but I could not tell the difference between them playing them
It didn't have a mouthpiece so a Yamaha 4c was added
So hard to decide maybe I should try others
Post Edited (2016-02-14 05:36)
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2016-02-14 13:08
i didn't know armstrong made wooden. But i do think they make good instruments. for the level in which they make them. i am particularly acquainted with their flutes... but my experience on my 4001 has been positive regarding the reliability of the mechanism. Their professional level flutes weren't really professional, but nice for the advancing student.
the e-11 doesn't get rated well. (ozwinds refuses to sell them...)
have you considered the hard rubber lyrique? it gets excellent reviews here. the music place in melbourne stocks them.
And the hanson clarinets are well priced (you deduct 20% i believe from the price and then add GST if the cost is over $1000 aud. ) they have a wide range of options too. On here they get very good reviews too. But they do have wooden options... they have a wooden student clarinet for 389gbp... which i think is about 600aud plus postage (when you minus the vat, and it would be GST free...) If i was today choosing between that and a wooden armstrong i would go with the hanson. just because the armstrong is good - but the response is slightly slow... nothing major.. where as i haven't heard that sort of comment made about the hansoms anywhere. and they use ethical practises.
Anyway.. my two cents worth. I understand your frustration.. and no store stocks yamaha, buffet, lyrique AND amati... so you can't really compare them properly. And no store stocks hanson at all!!!!!
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2016-02-14 13:10
the other option is searching ebay.com, or at least checking that on ebay.com.au you have 'worldwide' ticked. then you get to see the options from america. And there are some good options there. i have had some luck with instrument purchases that way.
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Author: craftymummy9
Date: 2016-02-14 18:10
Thanks so much for the Hanson recomendation I'd not heard of them but after checking out their site have decided to order a Grenadilla wood SE model
They look great and have fantastic reviews so will be waiting patiently for the parcel to arrive
Thanks again SarahC for the information
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2016-02-14 23:29
crafty mummy, you are welcome. just for the record, for an extra $200 aud (ish) you can get the extra LH lever added.
Please come back and tell us what you think of it. I am really interested in what the tone is like. I find all these comments that the tone is 'beautiful'.. or 'centred' or 'deep'... but that doesn't really help me compare their tone to their competitors! hahaha. But I will have absolute no hesitation advising my (future) students to buy their student model. particularly in a world where so much is made on the backs of basically slave labour...it is nice to see something made in England that can compete price wise with the chinese competitors...
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