 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: wjk
Date: 2003-01-24 01:14
Having searched previous post re: Amati clarinets, I'm curious if anyone has any advice/recommendations re: the pro line of Amati clarinets, specifically the ACL 604. I'm considering purchasing one, and any advice would be much appreciated. How would it compare to "the big four" manufactured instruments? Thanks!
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-01-24 01:44
I have an ACL-602 and I like it very much. The -604 didn't appeal to me, as I don't care for fork Bb/Eb because of the mechanical complexity (the Bb/Eb have more alternative fingerings than any other note on the instrument -- I could do without one more), nor the articulated C#/G# because of the altissimo fingering limitations. Despite its lack of the extra bells and whistles, my -602 is very simply an excellent instrument. I have played a -605, the full-Boehm Bb, and it seemed to be a superb instrument. It is, of course, larger than the other Bb instruments.
GBK has a full-Boehm A-pitch Amati, which has the same extra goodies as the -604, except of course for the pitch and the fact that his Clarinet has the added low Eb. Hearing him speak of his Amati is very interesting, as he apparently finds it more to his liking than any other currently-available Clarinet. Perhaps he will add to this thread with either a confirmation or denial of that. He also has an extremely high opinion of Graham Golden, BB sponsor, who is a dealer in Amati instruments
Regards,
Joh
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-01-24 02:46
Amati is a company which is seriously trying to break into the "Big 4" and is currently producing high quality professional line instruments.
Their workmanship and attention to detail is a pleasant surprise in this era of shoddy and sloppy assembly line techniques which many of the major companies have been accused of.
I did acquire a full Boehm Amati ACL-675 A clarinet which I have written extensively about, only because it is a fine instrument worthy of consideration at a very reasonable price. As a long time Buffet player, and owner of numerous R-13's, I find absolutely "no step backwards" when using the Amati in professional settings.
Of course the argument of "well no one uses them in any major orchestra" is probably valid - at least today. However, with some of the disparaging remarks made lately about the top selling name brands, I feel Amati is now a viable option to consider.
A search under my initials and the word Amati will bring up some of my past comments. I invite you to at least read them...GBK
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2003-01-24 03:33
(Disclaimer - I do not sell, have any financial interest in, or take any monetary reimbursement from either Amati or Graham's Music other than the trade discount on the instrument. I will be exhibiting with Graham and Dirk VanDamm - Belgium mouthpiece maker, in a corporate association arrangement at ClarinetFest 2003.)
I will be writing a full evaluation soon on a professional full Boehm Bb that I just purchased from Graham Golden. At this point in time he is the only one that I would buy one from because currently they do not have a 66mm barrel and he is a master at improving minor intonation problems that I documented for him to fix. Graham has been designing prototype barrels which I will be evaluating (out of my own self interest) which will be soon be manufactured by Amati. I am also paying to get some special pads and tweaking done by Graham.
I like the sound of the instrument - it is easy to blow, and has a more "warm" and complex sound than my Buffets. It is not quite a "dark" as the Buffet sound but close and I have play tested it in an all Buffet section and the comments were that it blended well and added a "warmth and fullness" to the section. Sound appreciation however is up to the individual to evaluate in terms of their playing venue.
The wood, especially in the full Boehm instrument that I tested, is exceptional - close, tight grained, and straight grained - why they black lacquer it and dull the finish, which is a "European Thing", I do not know. I have since removed the lacquer with a special stripper formulation that I have developed. The un-lacquered wood is beautiful - almost black chocolate in color. The plating and keywork are of excellent quality.
This is a mature clarinet and should be appreciated by those that have been around the block a few times and know what sound they want from an instrument.
Graham will be displaying the full line of Amati clarinets at ClarinetFest 2003 in Salt Lake this summer. For those that want a professional quality instrument at about 1/2 the price of the Big 4 it is well worth a trial.
The Doctor
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-01-24 03:52
I have great respect for the "Doctor", and his comments on all matters are ripe with logic, practicality, scientific background and thorough testing.
As evidence of the above, the popularity and growth of his fine products in the clarinet world are now well known.
It is quite pleasing and reassuring to see that his comments and impressions of Amati's fine clarinets are similar to mine (and JMcaulay's)...GBK
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Author: Don Gross
Date: 2003-01-24 05:42
In anyone is interested, please e-mail me privately for comments regarding the Amati Model 692 ("Pro") bass clarinet.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-01-24 12:00
I compare them to the Uebel line from Manchekurken... complex and distinct voicing. Their earlier output suffered from a derivative design... I think that their instruments will be successful for being a little different.
What's a 675 FB retail price, anyway?
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Author: Bob
Date: 2003-01-24 13:20
I have been playing and praising the Amati product since I bought mine a few years back. Better get yours before the price goes up.
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2003-01-24 14:08
For Don>
Why not post your comments on the "Bass Board" (Yahoo) so all of us can see it? Many are looking for new horns right now.
Bob A
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-01-24 16:15
I just checked out the Amatis listed on the Graham's music site and it lists a bass with 41 keys. Holy moly! What kind of bass is that? Must be a typo. Also I was disappointed to see the alto doesn't come with the left hand Eb/Ab key which is essential for any clarinet with a low Eb. If anyone ever comes out with a decent alto with full Boehm keywork I would be very interested. Especially if priced like the Amati. Still it's good to see that Amati has apparently upgraded the quality of their products and is establishing a good reputation. We need more choices than what's available from the "big 4".
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-01-24 16:23
I just took another look at the Amati alto and it appears not to have a low Eb. That's odd.
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Author: Kat
Date: 2003-01-25 00:39
Silly question: I just checked Graham's site, but didn't find listed one other option I'd like to consider in the event of a major Powerball victory.
Does Amati make a pro-line G (Oehler) horn?
Katrina
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Author: Kat
Date: 2003-01-26 03:29
Yeah, John, I knew about that one; just wondering if they made a higher-level one, but it appears not...
xoxo,
Katrina
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-01-26 18:03
Kat: Sorry about that, but it is the only one. I have heard but not confirmed personally that the Amati 300-series stuff is quite good. I have played an Amati 200- Series (student Clarinet) and was pleasantly surprised. I'm seriously planning to buy an Amati 300-Series C Clarinet later this year.
Regards,
John
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