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Author: Cheryl
Date: 2003-02-14 17:53
I've found this board very helpful in narrowing down which brands to consider for my 5th grade son's first clarinet. The final three I am considering are the Yamaha YCL-250 ($357), Vito 7212 ($279), Buffet B12 ($339). All are mail order, but I believe all have a 30 day return policy. Our local store was not very helpful, but perhaps I should also go to a larger city nearby.
Any thoughts on which way to go? Are the prices reasonable or too high?
Thanks!
Cheryl
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Author: madvax
Date: 2003-02-14 18:25
Cheryl,
You can't go wrong with any of those choices. All are very good student instruments and should be just fine for your 5th grader. The prices are reasonable.
I also suggest you get a good mouthpiece for your son. My recommendations would be a Hite Premier or Fobes Dubut.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-02-14 19:03
Is your son applying any allowance money to the purchase?
(That demontstrates committment...)
If not, I STRONGLY recommend renting from your local shop through the next few months, for a fixed period.
The Vito is nearly kid proof and readily repaired.
Madvax is right on the money about getting a Hite or Fobes mouthpiece, that is likely the most important piece of gear.
The Legere synthetic reed is also a good value, they're durable and have a good sound, regardless of ambient humidity.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-02-14 19:50
They're all good choices, but based on the given info, I'd go with the Vito simply because of price. No harm in saving a few $$$ for now -- but should your son stick with it, be ready to upgrade in the next few years.
Most importantly, take the advice on the mouthpiece.
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Author: Benni
Date: 2003-02-14 23:08
I'll reinforce the getting a good mouthpiece point, and also I would say that the Vito is a good choice. My first clarinet was a Vito, and they play rather nicely. I've tried the Yamaha student model (had to borrow one for a week or so), and didn't like it at all. It had a very odd feel in general and extremely pronounced differences across the breaks. Plus, it was a bit stuffy. Never tried the Buffet B12, but I seriously doubt it beats the Vito, and if it does, probably not by enough to merit spending all the extra money on it!
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-02-15 01:33
My personal preference is for the Vito or the Yamaha. The Buffet B12 cheap and nasty. It is not made by Buffet but mass produced in the Schreiber/Keilwerth factory. The keywork is soft, the tenon corks are dubious.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-02-15 02:08
Even though I am part of the Buffet Mafia, I have very serious reservations about their B12.
As Mark and others have previously said it is a clarinet that is very flimsy and of dubious quality. Buffet should be ashamed of themselves.
Don't even get me started commenting on their B10 ...GBK
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2003-02-15 05:36
I actually bought a B12 last summer as my son's field instrument. It went through a season of college marching band with no problems. I listened to him play it for 3 hours a day over semester break while his R13 made a round trip to Texas to visit John Butler, and I was impressed with its sound. It's no R13, but with his setup, it was pretty darn good. He prefers the feel of it to that of the tired Bundy that took him through high school marching band. I paid just about what was quoted above, and yes, the Vito seems to be the buy of the lot.
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Author: brenda siewert
Date: 2003-02-15 14:32
The Vito or Yamaha are probably ok for your starting musician. I'm also very impressed with the new Ridenour student clarinet. There are a lot of experienced musicians who have enjoyed playing it and it's got a great design specifically for younger players. It also comes with a good mouthpiece standard. It's a bit more money, however, so that's something to consider. I think you can only buy it through Brook Mays Music (they have an online store), but if anyone knows of another dealer who sells these let us know.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2003-02-15 14:33
The B-12 is relatively light in weight which may or may not be preferred. I'll also vote for the Vito
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Author: Ron H
Date: 2003-02-15 15:09
Cheryl,
Thanks for asking your question. I have been reading the answers with interest for the sake of my 3rd grade Grandaughter.
For those who have responded, what mouthpiece would you recomend for the Vito?
Ron H
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2003-02-15 15:12
Consider buying used if you can find the right model in good condition- you'll save a lot of money. There's no real virtue in new-ness for beginners provided that the used instrument is in good repair.
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Author: Benni
Date: 2003-02-15 16:27
Here's what worked with my Vito:
As soon as I started taking lessons (which was soon after I acquired my first clarinet), my teacher recommended the K10M mouthpiece, but suggested I also try some other K series mouthpieces. I went with the K10M and played on it for quite some time. It's a very good mouthpiece for the beginner because it promotes good habits.
BTW, it is manufactured by Woodwind Co. (Leblanc) and can be purchased through just about any online or catalog retailer, plus many local music stores stock (at least trials of) the entire K series.
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Author: Cheryl
Date: 2003-02-15 19:59
I appreciate all the help here! I will let you know what we decide once we find a teacher, though we are currently leaning towards the Vito with one of the mouthpieces mentioned above. We are not going to make the purchase until we line up someone who can give him private lessons in addition to the band instruction he will be getting. By the way, is there an organization for finding clarinet players like there is for organ players? I am looking for a teacher in Lebanon, Missouri to be specific (about an hour northeast of Springfield, MO).
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Author: brenda siewert
Date: 2003-02-15 20:12
The K10M is a stock mouthpiece with the upper-end Leblancs. It's not as good as a Vandoren 5RV Lyre if you're having to shell out for a new one. You can get a good Vandoren online or on eBay for about $50 to $60. That's a good match with the Vito.
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Author: Benni
Date: 2003-02-15 20:36
I've never played a 5RV Lyre, but it has almost the same specs as the K10M, so I'm sure either would be a good choice. I recommended the K10M from experience, and also because I have personally found Woodwind Co. mpcs to be more consistent than Vandorens. (Not that that says a whole lot . . . )
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2003-02-16 11:42
Vito, compared with Yamaha:
- Pivot screws wobble, making adjustments less secure.
- Self-'adhesive' (misnomer!) 'Valentino' corks on keys 'creep' off, leaving a sticky mess. And quite an expense to replace, especially if done piecemeal.
- Key posts moulded into plastic rather than being screwed in.
- Tendency to 'warble' on 1-1 Bb.
I've also encountered:
- Non-level tone holes
- Even tone holes with an internal 'burr' partly closing the bottom of the tone hole.
In my experience Yamaha = considerably higher standard of manufacture.
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Author: clarinetgiggirl
Date: 2003-02-17 08:52
I didn't like the K10M mouthpiece that came with my Leblanc at all. It didn't suit me one bit, and was particularly horrible on high notes.
I tried several others from my teachers box of cast-offs and settled on a 5RV. I played this for about 12 months and was delighted with it.
However, I couldn't resist an e-bay bargain - a Vandoren B45 - which I found suits me better now, probably because my embouchure has developed.
I guess its a personal thing and a matter of trial and error...
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Author: Liesel
Date: 2003-02-17 19:27
I would reccommend the Yamaha.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2003-02-18 17:04
Nothing much wrong with the Yamaha 4C mouthpiece for a beginner (+) either.
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