 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mike
Date: 2003-01-13 01:38
Over the weekend, I went clarinet shopping for a new Buffet R-13 Prestige Bb. I went to three different stores and tried out 12 clarinets. Of the 12 I tried, there were three possibilities, one of which I was convinced was THE ONE. I bought it and took it home and I couldn't believe what I had just purchased. I went from loving it to hating it in the course of a couple hours. The only thing I can think of is that the room I played in at the store was 1) very hot, 2) very small, and 3) did not have very good accoustics.
Fortunately, the place I bought it from has a week trial policy and so I can send it back no questions asked. But I can't help but feel frustrated and confused. I thought I was a pretty good judge of clarinets and I have lost all confidence in my abilities. Has anyone else gone through anything like this before?
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Author: William
Date: 2003-01-13 01:46
Yes, and that is why I never make a final decision on purchasing any new moouthpiece or instrument unless I can try it out in an actual rehearsal or performance. Accoustics in music store trial rooms are just not the same as the real thing. It is good that you had a return policy to fall back on--it is a credit to the quality of the music store as well. Keep searching, trust your own judgement and you will eventually find "the one."
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2003-01-13 17:41
I've written about this recently, but I think trying so many instruments in such a short timespan, no matter how proficient one is, might be an overload. I would think that embouchure fatigue is the most likely diagnosis. ie fatigue during the trial. Being more relaxed at home with just a 2 or 3 instruments for a 7 day trial (and taking all of the 7 days) is much more beneficial. Remember even when you pick your final perfect choice, there's likely to be a better instrument somewhere else in one of the shops you didn't try! So if you're not absolutely convinced, your good quality shop should understand when you take them all back. Glad you have a return clause. Good searching !
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2003-01-14 02:48
I always arrange to take the instruments (several at a time) home on approval for a couple of days or so depending upon store policy. You just can't tell with one sitting in a music store sound room.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-01-14 10:31
And how long a trial was given at the store?
This is why so few retailers cater to the high-end market, profits are thin and the clientelle, demanding.
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2003-01-15 02:41
SB,
So true. I specialize in repair. Once in awhile I get tempted to get into the clarinet selling business, like yesterday when I got the new LeBlanc order sheet, but then think that I really don't have the capital to invest in upper end clarinets to ship out five or six at a time. Then only to have them all rejected and come back. Now, there would be five or six USED clarinets in stock. After all, how many times can an instrument be play tested and still be called new. With a car you can tell by the mileage, but with a clarinet what are the signs...tarnished or scratched keys, discolored cork, oil and other stains on pads. I could go on. So, again I talk myself out of selling clarinets and let others dwell with the problems of returns.
jbutler
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