 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: scott
Date: 2002-07-22 22:19
I'd like to get another clarinet. I'm looking for a nonwood clarinet for marching band, a clarinet that I feel comfortable exposing to the elements. I'd also like to explore big band type music a bit, hopefully a different sound than I get out of my Buffet E13. I've heard good comments about Balanced Tone and Center Tone Selmers and Conn 444Ns. But what big bore clarinets can I look for that are in metal, hard rubber, or plastic that will serve the dual purpose of playing with a big sound in a big space? I know I'm not going to sound like Benny Goodman so spare those comments. But as long as I am getting a second clarinet I wouldn't mind getting a different sound along with getting a little more volume out for marching band in a clarinet I'm not afraid to take outdoors. I don't mind finding something old and ratty as long as I can have it repadded, it doesn't put a gaping hole in my pocket like a Greenline would, and I don't have to learn the Albert system. By the way, I've tried Vitos; not enough character but maybe it was the mouthpieces I tried them with. Thanks.
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-07-22 22:41
Boosey & Hawkes "The Edgware"? Fairly big bore, made in wood (mostly) and hard rubber (in 1954-55 or so) models, lots of 'em on eBay for dirt cheap. Boehm system.
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Author: Todd W.
Date: 2002-07-23 00:10
scott --
The plastic Selmer or Bundy model 1400 has a big, straight bore (.590" ?) I believe.
Todd W.
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Author: scott
Date: 2002-07-23 02:28
I'll keep an eye out for an Edgware to try. Do the rubber ones sound like the wooden ones?
Any other brands to consider? I assume the top rate wooden Conns are good. Haven't tried any. The rubber Conn I tried was stinko. I couldn't get it to play in tune. Are there any good ones that are hard rubber? I see Pruefer and Penzel-Mueller clarinets on ebay. They seem to get good ratings in the archives I've searched. Were any of these available as big bore clarinets and how do they rate? They seem to be available in about the same price range as Edgwares.
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Author: scott
Date: 2002-07-23 02:48
I haven't tried any of the Bundy's but I will. Lots of messages to badmouth them a lot. Others have suggested that older Bundy's with low serial numbers have a bore modeled after the Selmer Balanced Tone including early Resonite ones. Anyone have an idea which serial number range to look for Resonite ones that may be good or how to identify them. Thanks.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2002-07-23 02:53
pruefer silver throat .a hard rubber big bore w/a metal liner .this is the biggest sounding clarinet i ever played. its not a pro horn but plays like a good intermediate. i use mine for soloing in a loud big band and it cuts tru like crazy but still gives a very nice sound. these pop up on ebay from time to time and be had for $50 or less .you cant go wrong with one of these.
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2002-07-23 14:58
IMO. Metal Noblet is a good intermediate model. COOL clarinet for marching band.....V
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-07-23 15:05
The hard rubber Edgware, to my ear, sounded and played identically to the wood ones. I played a hard rubber Edgware in a community orchestra for one season --- other than the olive-green tinge, no one could have guessed it wasn't wood.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-07-23 18:31
Bundys are the best choice for marching. I played innumerable parades in the West Point Band, and the Bundys they gave everyone were indestructible and completely reliable.
The early Bundys had a design flaw -- they used a needle spring for the throat A key, which was too short and snapped frequently. Make sure any Bundy you buy has a flat spring for the A key.
Volume and tone have more to do with the mouthpiece than the bore. Get a nice, open, jazz-style mouthpiece and you'll have no trouble being heard.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: tim k
Date: 2002-07-23 21:32
The subject of big bore saxes came up on sax on the web. I think it was Paul Coats who pointed out that most of the big bores are in Texas.
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Author: scott
Date: 2002-07-24 18:43
Can needle springs be replaced with flat springs easily or is it better to get a specific Bundy? Can one avoid the Bundy's with needle springs by looking for a particular age or serial number range?
scott
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-07-24 22:15
I am very pleased with my Vito, but it is a V-40... not ANY other model, all of which are clearly inferior. I usually play it with a Vandoren B45, which generally seems like the best item for me.
Regards,
John
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