 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: mbh
Date: 2003-03-20 03:37
Hello all:
The subject does sound strange, I know. However, earlier today I sent a message to Ridenour Clarinet Products asking about some of their products and services and received an answer saying that they are no longer selling clarinets and are re-evaluating their relationships with French clarinet makers.
Now, I have no idea exactly why this is happening, and it is most probably none of my business. However, it does bring to mind the possibility that the good folks at RCP might be upset about the French position vis a vis the UN Security Council, etc.
I wonder if there is likely to be a decrease in Buffet, Selmer, and Leblanc clarinet sales as a result of the recent political machinations and associated protests. Will sales of Rossis, Eatons, Patricolas, Yamahas, etc. pick up?
Renaming fries and avoiding French wine are one thing, but I never even considered the possibility of clarinet fall-out.
Any comments?
Regards,
Mitch (not boycotting anything at the current time)
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Author: Bradley
Date: 2003-03-20 04:04
I think its foolish to boycott anything french at the moment. We as a public should be able to decide what we want to boycott- etc. I really am not against french leadership, they are entitled to their opinions . I just think that the U.S. doesnt "have to" help them the next time THEY are in a pickle.
Anyway- If I am not able to buy my Concerto II ( it has not even been produced yet with all the problems Leblanc has had) someone will pay......
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Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2003-03-20 10:39
I'm aware that Mark C. (our host) is rightly concerned with political discussions, but I'm responding not from a political stance but rather and economic one.
Simply put, LeBlanc France is owned by Leblanc USA of Kenosha Wis. Buffet is now owned by a British group. French products on the shelves and showrooms are already bought and paid for by the US companies selling them. Boycotts will ultimately hurt US concerns. Further, in todays global market places, French products become part of larger US products making it impossible to really boycott French products. For example, how do you remove a French plastic dye from a Ford car?
People just need to take a breath and realize that when the boycott products, they will also be hurting the US folks who sell those products. As my late mom would say, it is cutting off your nose to spite your face.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-03-20 11:40
I'm going to leave this thread open unless things get out of hand. Please consider any postings here very carefully before you send them - this is not to be used for any political statements, but to discuss general implications as it affects the music business during times of political upheaval. While we might know exactly what someone is talking about, please be more towards the general side than the specific side.
I reserve the right to close the thread at any time.
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Author: ken
Date: 2003-03-20 12:03
I would respectfully point out that Ridenour Clarinet Products has every right and fully justified shutting their doors...it's their money, their business, their reputations and their livelihood. If I remember correctly, "some" models of Leblanc clarinets (keywork) are assmbled in the U.S. while the bodies originate from France -- as for Buffets and Selmers, I don't know what the scene is. I recently purchased a very nice Esprit and have complete peace with my purchase, however, as of a couple days ago with France's latest stated position I have made the regrettable decision not to buy any French products, ever travel to France again or support French-based companies. Arggghh, now I've got to figure out what reeds not to buy! v/r Ken
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-03-20 12:14
With globalization it is very difficult to find out what you're (not) buying, so any idea of boycott tends to be problematical at best. For some time Vandoren was selling reeds made of cane from Argentina ...
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-03-20 12:52
David Dow
Post Edited (2003-03-20 13:54)
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Author: jbutler ★2017
Date: 2003-03-20 13:23
Has any one asked Tom about this decision? Was it his or Brook Mays? I think there is speculation going about here. Perhaps, most likely, there are business issues dictating the decisions rather than the political climate.
jbutler
Post Edited (2003-03-20 14:25)
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Author: msloss
Date: 2003-03-20 13:30
Perhaps Ridenour just wants out of that end of the hardware business. With all the grousing on this board about quality, consistency, etc., how much pleasure do you think there is dealing with us from the merchant's perspective?
On the question, we live in a global village with a lot of intertwining influences and interests. Unless you go beyong xenophobia into outright fanaticism, you cannot avoid a country's economic or cultural influences.
For crying out loud, as musicians what would we do -- stop playing Rameau, Poulenc, and Saint-Saens? The brush is getting a little too broad if we were to stop playing Buffets and Leblancs because we don't agree with Jacques Chirac's rhetoric. We abhor that kind of dogmatic behavior when directed at us, and would be well advised not to engage in it ourselves.
As an artist, I choose to let the tools of the trade transcend my political views unless the manufacturers of those tools deliberately bring themselves and their products directly into the argument. If it starts raining Buffet Eb Alto clarinets on Kuwait (unquestionably weapons of mass destruction), maybe I'll rethink.
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Author: PJ
Date: 2003-03-20 14:32
Well said MSLOSS! We can't hold the population acountable for what their leader has done. Keep in mind that there is a part of our (US) population that isn't pleased with our President over the decision to go to war. I would agree with previous statements in saying that if we were to boycott product/services from the French we would probably be cutting our own throats in the clarinet world. I don't recall anyone saying that they would never buy another Mercedes when Germany jumped on the bandwagon with France! What about the boycott of fireworks from China? No one mentioned that one either. (Just to name a few)
I think we all need to cool down a bit and think this one out. I mean, really, all you Buffet fans out there (myself included), are you going to throw you horns in the fire over all of this? I'm not! There was too much talent and skill envolved in their production. Does that make me less of an American. No. :-)
Here's hoping for a safe and speedy return of ALL of our troops.
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Author: larryb
Date: 2003-03-20 14:35
Funny, I take the completely opposite position from Ken above. I intend to spend my money on French clarinet and other products whenever possible. I thank the French and many other countries for their opposition to an unnecessary war.
I guess we are simply a deeply divided nation and clarinet community - we need to find a leader who is a uniter, not a divider.
Mark - if you wish to now ban me from the bulletin board as you threatened before, go ahead. You have to do what you think is right. I'll raise a glass of Veuve Cliquot to you.
Regards
[ It's unfortunate that you ended up causing the thread to be closed. Everyone else had the common decency to attempt to keep things in line. You just had to be a spoiler, thinking you have a bully pulpit here.
I allowed this thread to contimnue thinking that everyone could act adult for a few hours.
I and everyone else thank you from the recesses of our heart for proving me wrong, larryb. I won't take away your posting priviledges right now since I kept a thread open that should have been closed.
PS - I don't threaten. I warn and then take action.]
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-03-20 14:39
I've known Tom Ridenour for over 20 years, since he was living in Connecticut and running a repair and mail-order business out of his house. He's intensely idealistic, but I never heard him express any political opinions. Rather, he concentrates solely on the clarinet.
I'd be very surprised if his announcement is based on anything other his ability to make a living. His relationship with Brook Mayes, the Leblanc factory fire and the sale of Buffet mean much more than French political attitudes.
Tom has great determination and grit, and he's an excellent player, mouthpiece maker, designer and repairman. He'll always be around, doing good things.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-03-20 14:45
I guess we can't leave specific politics out of the thread, can we?
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2003-03-20 14:45
Actions such a throwing instruments on a fire, refusing to play music by French composers would, of course, be useless as they would affect no one but the protestor. On the other hand, if someone did refuse to buy a French-made product even though that product now belonged to an American retailer, it would have reprecussions on the French economy because, if the item is not bought, the retailer will not be buying another identical French product with which to replace it.
Speaking of music and boycotts, the lead singer of the Dixie Chicks recently made a statement about being ashamed to be an American. Although it was her right to do so, it was also a right of those who subsequently threw out or destroy their CDs to do so. She quickly made an apology, perhaps realizing that if country-music fans, a large part of which would support President Bush and his actions, quit buying their music, it would hit her in the pocketbook hard. Money talks, even in the world of music.
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